Sri Lanka Women commenced their Women’s Asia Cup 2024 campaign with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh Women at Dambulla on Saturday (July 20). This win was marked by a comprehensive all-round performance, underscored by Vishmi Gunaratne‘s steady half-century. Sri Lanka’s dominance on the field set the tone for the tournament, showcasing their prowess and intent to be a formidable force.

Bangladesh’s batting struggles

Electing to bat first, Bangladesh’s innings was fraught with challenges from the outset. The team faced immediate setbacks, losing four crucial wickets within the powerplay overs, which significantly hampered their momentum. The early dismissals left Bangladesh reeling, and it required a determined effort from captain Nigar Sultana, who played a crucial anchor role to stabilize the innings. Adding some much-needed impetus to the lower order was Shorna Akter, who delivered a quickfire 25 off just 14 balls. Despite her valiant efforts, Bangladesh could only muster a modest total of 111/8, falling short of a competitive score.

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Sri Lanka’s chase: Vishmi Gunaratne shines

In their pursuit of 112 runs, Sri Lanka encountered an early setback with the dismissal of their captain Chamari Athapaththu. However, the team’s depth and resilience came to the fore, proving they are no longer reliant on a single player. Gunaratne, continuing her remarkable form in 2024, anchored the chase with a composed and methodical half-century, her third in T20 internationals this year.

She found a reliable partner in Harshitha Samarawickrama, who provided excellent support, ensuring that Sri Lanka maintained a steady pace throughout the innings. The duo’s partnership was instrumental in guiding Sri Lanka to victory, as they comfortably reached the target with 17 balls to spare. The defeat further extended Bangladesh’s winless streak in T20 internationals to nine matches in 2024, highlighting the challenges they have faced in the format this year. Despite showing moments of promise, the team has struggled to convert opportunities into victories.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.