Sri Lanka delivered a clinical all-round performance to thrash Ireland by 10 wickets in the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy at the Karwan Cricket Ground in Ajman.
The match, officiated on-field by Bermuda's Precious Smith alongside Champa Chakma of Bangladesh, underscored Sri Lanka's strong form in the tournament as they wrapped up proceedings with minimal fuss.
After electing to field, Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling attack restricted Ireland to a modest 105-9 from their 20 overs before openers Vishmi Gunaratne and Hasini Perera chased down the target with seven overs to spare.
Ireland struggled to build momentum against a tight Sri Lankan bowling unit, losing wickets at regular intervals. Louise Little offered the main resistance with a top score of 28, but the Irish batting lineup failed to find any sustained fluency.
Sathya Sandeepani was the pick of the bowlers, producing a remarkably economical spell of 3-9 from her four overs to dismantle the Ireland middle order and ensure the target remained well below par.
In reply, Sri Lanka made light work of the 106-run target. Gunaratne and Perera paced the chase to perfection, finding the boundary regularly and rotating the strike with ease to post an unbroken century stand.
Both openers brought up identical half-centuries—Gunaratne finishing unbeaten on 53 from 37 deliveries and Perera matching her with 53 not out off 41 balls—sealing a comprehensive victory at 110-0 after just 13 overs.
|
