Athapaththu's Brilliant All-Round Performance Puts Sri Lanka Ahead

Sri Lanka Women took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20 series against West Indies, thanks to an all-round performance by captain Chamari Athapaththu. She scored 39 off 26 balls and took 2 wickets for 13 runs, helping Sri Lanka chase down a modest target of 102 with 11 balls to spare. Athapaththu's stellar performance included dismissing Qiana Joseph for 5 and Malki Madara followed up with Jahzara Claxton caught for 4, reducing West Indies to 22/2 in the sixth over. Sri Lanka's spinners, led by Madara (3-16) and Nilakshi Silva (3-20), restricted West Indies to 101 all out. West Indies Women were bowled out for 101, with Karishma Ramharack getting dismissed for obstructing the field on the last ball. Sri Lanka Women chased down the target with 4 wickets and 11 balls to spare. Chamari Athapaththu gave Sri Lanka a strong start, adding 62 with Hasini Perera, but the team lost 6 wickets for 29 runs, giving West Indies hope. Qiana Joseph and Afy Fletcher took 2 wickets each, but Kavisha Dilhari's unbeaten 18 helped Sri Lanka secure the win. Sri Lanka Women restricted West Indies Women to 101 runs, thanks to impressive bowling performances from Malki Madara (3-16) and Nilakshika Silva (3-20), along with Chamari Athapaththu's 2 wickets. Hayley Matthews was the top scorer for West Indies with a patient 28, but only four batters managed to get into double figures. Sri Lanka Women restricted West Indies Women to 101 runs, thanks to impressive bowling performances from Malki Madara (3-16) and Nilakshika Silva (3-20), along with Chamari Athapaththu's 2 wickets. Hayley Matthews was the top scorer for West Indies with a patient 28, but only four batters managed to get into double figures. Sri Lanka 102 for 6 (Athapaththu 39, Joseph 2-13, Fletcher 2-16) beat West Indies 101 (Matthews 28, Madara 3-16, Nilakshika 3-20) by four wickets