Sri Lanka Women achieved a historic win in Match 7 of Group B in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 at Dambulla on Monday (July 22) defeating Malaysia Women by a massive 144 runs. This victory not only showcased Sri Lanka’s dominance in the match but also set a new record for the largest margin of victory by runs their T20I history. They surpassed their previous record of 109 runs, which they set against Scotland Women in 2022, with this commanding performance.

Chamari Athapaththu shines for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s innings was anchored by a breathtaking performance from Chamari Athapaththu, who delivered an extraordinary knock of 119 runs off 69 balls. Her innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring 14 fours and 7 sixes. Athapaththu’s brilliant stroke play set a solid foundation for Sri Lanka’s innings. She was ably supported by Harshitha Samarawickrama and Anushka Sanjeewani, who contributed 26 and 31 runs, respectively. Sanjeewani ‘s late surge added crucial runs towards the end, ensuring Sri Lanka posted an imposing total of 184/4 in their 20 overs, which proved to be an insurmountable target for Malaysia.

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Malaysia Women’s batting collapse

Chasing a formidable target of 185, Malaysia’s batting crumbled under the pressure, as they were dismissed for a paltry 40 runs in 19.5 overs. The innings was characterized by a severe lack of substantial partnerships and was further exacerbated by Sri Lanka’s disciplined and aggressive bowling attack. Elsa Hunter was the only batter to reach double figures, scoring 10 runs. The rest of the Malaysian batters struggled to handle the relentless pressure and precision of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, leading to a dramatic and comprehensive defeat.

Kawya Kavindi’s disciplined bowling spell, which yielded just 7 runs and 2 wickets, was pivotal in curbing Malaysia’s run rate. Meanwhile, Shashini Gimhani excelled with 4 overs, conceding only 9 runs and claiming 3 wickets, effectively dismantling the Malaysian batting lineup. Their combined efforts were crucial in maintaining tight control over the game.

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