Sri Lanka slated to face India and Pakistan after win in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final against Scotland | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu played a remarkable innings in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier final against Scotland, setting the stage for a convincing victory. Scotland’s stand-in captain, Sarah Bryce, won the toss and chose to field first. The Scottish bowlers initially backed her decision, with Priyanaz Chatterji and Katherine Fraser taking early wickets.
Athapaththu, along with Kavisha Dilhari, attempted to stabilize the innings. However, Dilhari was stumped off Abtaha Maqsood’s bowling. Athapaththu then took charge, accelerating the scoring rate with a series of boundaries and sixes against Hannah Rainey, Chloe Abel, and Katherine Fraser. She reached her half-century and continued her onslaught, benefiting from a couple of lucky breaks along the way.
“The unstoppable Athapaththu continued to punish Scotland, bringing up her hundred off merely 60 balls. This was also the first century of the tournament.”Despite Rachel Slater’s late wickets, Sri Lanka had already established a commanding position.

In response, Scotland’s chase began positively with Saskia Horley and Megan McColl hitting early boundaries. However, wickets fell in quick succession, with Horley, McColl, and Sarah Bryce all dismissed within the first four overs. Darcey Carter’s wicket left Scotland struggling at 23/4.
Priyanaz Chatterji provided some resistance with a brisk 30, but Scotland still required over 12 runs per over at the halfway mark. Inoshi Priyadarshini ended Chatterji’s innings, and Udeshika Prabodhani picked up another wicket, sealing Sri Lanka’s victory.
Both finalists had already secured their spots in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka will compete in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan, while Scotland will join hosts Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and West Indies.
(Inputs from ANI)