Shashikala Siriwardena has “no regrets” losing her record

By Bipin Dani

Former Sri Lankan women’s captain Shashikala Siriwardene has “no regrets” about losing her record for the best bowling figures in an innings for Sri Lanka in a Women’s T20I.
On Saturday, the 27-year-old Malsha Shehani achieved the bowling figures of 1.5-0-2-4 against Malaysia in the ongoing Asia Cup and surpassed Siriwardene figures of 3.4-0-9-4, which she did against Pakistan at Colombo’s NCC ground in March 2018.

“I am really happy for her (Malsha Shehani) record. I am proud of her (new Sri Lankan record) and others who continue to play cricket and make our country proud,” she said.
Shehani came close to a hat-trick when she had two consecutive wickets off the first two balls in the last over but missed out on her hat-trick.  

“Yes, it was unfortunate, but I am happy with her performance when she delivered in the match when the team needed it most. I wish her and our team all the best for the Asia Cup,” Siriwardena, who now also works for the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), concluded.

Incidentally, Siriwardena’s record was also surpassed by Inoka Ranaweera on Monday, when she also grabbed 4 wickets in just two overs (the maximum she could bowl in the rain curtailed match) giving away four runs. The match against Bangladesh was won by Sri Lanka by three runs.