LIVE: Sri Lanka on Top as U19WC 2025 Hosts, India Set to Begin Title Defence
Chamudi Praboda delivered a stellar performance, taking three wickets as Sri Lanka defeated Malaysia by a massive 139 runs in their ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup opener on the second day of the tournament.
Defending a challenging total, Sri Lanka dominated from the start, taking three wickets during the powerplay. Rashmika Sewwandi set the tone by dismissing opener Irdina Beh in the first over, giving her team an early advantage.
Praboda followed with a double strike, claiming the wickets of Nazatul Hidayah Husna and Nur Izzatul Syafiqa in the second over.
As the hosts struggled with early losses, Manudi Nanayakkara removed Nur Aliya and captain Nur Daniya Syuhada in the same over, leaving Malaysia reeling at 14/5.
Aseni Thalagune added to the pressure with a brilliant direct hit, running out Nuriman Hidayah. Limansa Thilakaratne then dismissed Suabika Manivannan and Nur Ain in consecutive overs before Praboda returned to claim her third wicket. A final run-out sealed Malaysia’s fate, bowled out for a record-low 23 runs in the tournament’s history.
Earlier, Dahami Sanethma anchored Sri Lanka’s innings with a composed half-century. Scoring 55 runs off 52 deliveries, she hit six boundaries around the picturesque Bayeumas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, helping Sri Lanka post a competitive 162/6.
Sanjana Kavindi (30 off 13 balls) and Hiruni Kumari (28 off 21 balls) also made significant contributions to Sri Lanka’s total.
Malaysia, making their tournament debut, managed to slow the run rate with key wickets in the middle overs.
Siti Nazwah was the standout bowler for Malaysia, removing Hiruni and Rashkima Sewwandi in the same over, creating an opening for the hosts. However, late fireworks from Sanethma and Shashini Gimhani propelled Sri Lanka past the 150-run mark.
WATCH LIVE: MALAYSIA v SRI LANKA
Malaysia won the toss and elected to bowl in the nation’s capital. Emotional scenes unfolded when Marsya claimed the hosts’ first wicket, catching Kavindi off her own bowling in the fourth over.
Following the morning match, defending champions India will face the West Indies at the same venue.
BROADCAST INFORMATION: HOW TO WATCH THE ICC WOMEN’S U19 WORLD CUP
MATCH CENTRE: SRI LANKA v MALAYSIA
MATCH CENTRE: INDIA v WEST INDIES
On day one, Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa secured victories despite challenging weather conditions across the country.
Bangladesh proved too strong for Nepal in a one-sided encounter. After opting to bowl first, Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated, dismissing Nepal for just 52 runs in 18.2 overs. Jannatul Maoua was the standout performer, taking two wickets for just 11 runs in her four overs.
A crucial partnership between Sadia Islam and captain Sumaiya Akter steadied Bangladesh after a shaky start, guiding them to victory by reaching the target in 13.2 overs to secure two points.
The highly-anticipated match between the USA and Pakistan in Johor was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to relentless rain.
In Kuching, South Africa overcame New Zealand in a rain-affected afternoon fixture.
The Proteas secured a 22-run DLS victory, with Jemma Botha named Player of the Match for her vital 32 runs off 24 balls.
Jemma Botha | Aramco Player of the Match | U19 World Cup 2025
Australia made a strong statement on the opening day, dismissing Scotland for just 48 runs and chasing the target in only 6.4 overs at UKM Oval.
The morning match between Samoa and Nigeria was washed out, as was Ireland’s meeting with England.