Sri Lanka continue unbeaten streak, Netherlands push for top spot in Group B

May 1 (ICC) - Sri Lanka resumed their remarkable run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024 with a third win in as many games while Netherlands edged Zimbabwe in the Group B fixture.

Vishmi Gunaratne and the Sri Lankan spinners were the stars in their massive win over Uganda at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi in the Group A game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024.

Meanwhile, at the Tolerance Oval, Netherlands denied Zimbabwe in the run-chase in a closely-fought contest to complete their second win in Group B. They are now level on points with Ireland, who have played one match fewer.

• Netherlands 135/6 (20) beat Zimbabwe 121/4 (20)

Toss: Netherlands elected to bat first

Opting to bat first, Netherlands lost key batter Iris Zwilling early to a direct-hit at the non-striker’s end, but Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede rebuilt with a watchful stand.

The partnership began slowly as Netherlands ambled along to 29 in the first six overs. Kalis opened up with back-to-back fours off Josephine Nkomo and looked in ominous touch.

Sharne Mayers was brought into the attack in the 13th over and struck off her first delivery when she cleaned up de Leede for 37 to break the stand.

Francis Chipare doubled it up with the wicket of Kalis two overs later, trapped in front for 34 off 37 balls. 

Netherlands added 42 runs in the last five overs with Robine Rijke leading the charge. She remained unbeaten on 39 off 25 balls to give the innings the late push it badly needed.

In reply, Modester Mupachikwa led Zimbabwe’s fight from the top. But Netherlands struck at the other end, sending back three batters inside the Powerplay.

Frederique Overdijk, Silver Siegers and Zwilling took a wicket apiece as Zimbabwe were reduced to 29/3. Caroline de Lange added another after the Powerplay, dismissing Ashley Ndiraya. 

Nkomo and Mupachikwa resurrected the innings with a solid partnership but with Netherlands maintaining impeccable discipline with the ball, the runs weren’t coming as quickly as they would have wanted.

Zimbabwe needed 52 in the last five overs to win, but could manage 37 more and finished on 121/4 despite the Nkomo-Mupachikwa pair remaining unbeaten.

Netherlands completed a 14-run win to make it two wins in three games in the tournament.

• Sri Lanka 154/4 (20) beat Uganda 87 (19.2)

Toss: Sri Lanka elected to bat first

A career-best T20I knock from Vishmi Gunaratne and a brilliant bowling effort led Sri Lanka to a massive win in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024. 

The opening stand began with a bang for Sri Lanka as Chamari Athapaththu and Gunaratne completed the fifty-run partnership off 45 balls. However, Athapaththu holed out for 24 off Janet Mbabazi. 

Harshitha Madavi was run out shortly afterwards, but Gunaratne found support from Hasini Perera, who came in at No.4. 

Gunaratne completed her half-century off 51 balls with Perera being the aggressor. The latter was eventually dismissed for 30 off 24 balls in the 18th over.

Gunaratne finished on an unbeaten 73 off 64 balls, her highest score in T20Is and Sri Lanka posted a formidable 154/4 in 20 overs.

In the chase, Sri Lanka were all over Uganda in no time, reducing them to 22/2 inside the Powerplay. 

Inoka Ranaweera stepped into the attack immediately after the Powerplay and struck twice in two balls to reduce Uganda to 22/4. 

Left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani also took a wicket in her first over as Uganda lost their first five wickets inside 10 overs with the total on 35.

Prosscovia Alko resisted Sri Lanka’s charge but barely found any support from the other end as wickets kept tumbling.

She made 36 in 32 balls, and was the seventh batter dismissed. Kavisha Dilhari wrapped up the last two wickets off successive balls in the final over and Uganda were bowled out for 87 to hand Sri Lanka a huge victory.

With the 67-run win, Sri Lanka continued their unbeaten streak in the tournament with three wins out of three in Group A.