The off break is pitched up just outside off stump, inviting the drive. Chamari Athapaththu meets it with a well-timed, controlled stroke through extra cover for four.
Over 15. 9 runs. Bowler: Arlene Kelly. Sri Lanka Women: 1-129(rr 8.6) A short ball outside off, Athapaththu attempts an aggressive pull but mistimes it, sending the ball flying uncontrolled to deep mid-wicket for a quick two. Sri Lanka Women need just 2 runs from 30 balls with nine wickets in hand, perfectly placed to chase this down.
Chamari Athapaththu works a length ball right on middle stump, nudging it neatly for a single to deep mid-wicket. Chamari Athapaththu reaches a fantastic century off just 58 balls, staying in powerful touch.
Over 14. 6 runs. Bowler: Orla Prendergast. Sri Lanka Women: 1-120(rr 8.57) A full delivery on leg stump is flicked neatly by Athapaththu, running a controlled single to deep mid wicket. Sri Lanka Women require 11 runs from 36 balls with plenty of wickets in hand; their chances remain very strong.
A full delivery on off stump with no movement, driven crisply by the batter. That was a beautifully timed cover drive, racing away to the boundary with elegance and precision.
Over 13. 16 runs. Bowler: Aimee Maguire. Sri Lanka Women: 1-114(rr 8.77) Chamari Athapaththu attempts a sweep on the full wide down leg stock ball but mistimes it, allowing the ball to be comfortably fielded at short fine leg for no run. Sri Lanka Women require 17 runs from 42 balls with nine wickets in hand, holding strong control of the chase.
A full-length stock ball outside off stump, beautifully met by Chamari Athapaththu who drives it with perfect timing and controlled finesse through extra cover for four. Chamari has smashed another boundary, bringing her tally to three fours this over and 16 runs in total.
Nilakshi de Silva sweeps a full, on-stump stock ball, keeping the bat close to the ground and picks up a well-placed single. Nilakshi gets off the mark, adding to Sri Lanka's total.
A full stock ball on off stump and Athapaththu drives it crisply, timing it perfectly. The controlled shot sails elegantly over long off for six! Chamari Athapaththu has now hit two boundaries this over.
On a length ball around leg stump, Athapaththu strikes a well-timed slog sweep with fine control, sending it racing to the deep backward square leg boundary. Sri Lanka Women move on to 102 for 1.
Over 12. 2 runs. Bowler: Orla Prendergast. Sri Lanka Women: 1-98(rr 8.17) An off cutter flicks just outside off at length, Imesha Dulani attempts a defensive stroke but misses completely. The ball sneaks through and hits the stumps, clean bowled. Imesha departs for 20 off 27 as Sri Lanka requires 33 runs from 48 balls with nine wickets in hand, still holding a strong chance.
Orla Prendergast bowls a half-tracker outside off, and Imesha Dulani goes for a pull shot but mis-times it, sending the ball awkwardly to deep mid-wicket where it’s fielded quickly after a single.
