Athapaththu, Dilhari star as Sri Lanka storm into Asian Games semifinal

Sri Lanka defeated Malaysia by 86 runs in the third quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on Friday (September 18), securing a spot in the Asian Games semifinals for women's cricket. Both Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari starred in all-round capacities, scoring 63 and 44 not-out respectively before picking up two wickets each.

After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka endured a quiet start, making just 10 runs from the first four overs while also losing Imesha Dulani. The fifth over marked a change in tempo with Athapaththu taking 23 runs off Aisya Eleesa. That was followed by Hasini Perera striking two fours in the following over as Sri Lanka reached 38 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Athapaththu continued to have fun, scoring her fifty in the eleventh over with a six off just 28 balls. The partnership had swelled to 80 before Nurin Imanina struck twice in the space of three overs to remove both set batters. Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama formed a second substantial partnership worth 62 million dollars, ending Malaysia's brief respite. Dilhari struck all six of her boundaries after the 16th over, powering Sri Lanka to 160 for 4.

After that, Dilhari came back to do some damage with the ball, dismissing Wan Julia and Mas Elysa off consecutive deliveries to end the sixth over. Malaysia, who had already lost Ainna Hamizah Hashim to a run-out in the first over, finished the Powerplay on 25 for 3. They continued to struggle against the Sri Lankan bowlers for the for the remainder of the innings and were unable to get anywhere close to the asking rate.

Just one boundary was struck between overs seven and 18 as Malaysia added just 40 runs in that period. The result of the game was a foregone conclusion when Athapaththu claimed two wickets in the 19th over. Mithali Ayodhya too added two wickets to her tally in the final over as Malaysia were restricted to just 74 for 7.

Pakistan will now play Sri Lanka in the first semifinal on Sunday, September 20.