Sri Lanka Maintains Winning Streak, Netherlands Vies for Top Position in Group B
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024 Standings
Star performances from Vishmi Gunaratne and Sri Lankan spinners led to a resounding victory over Uganda at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi in the Group A game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024.
In a parallel match at the Tolerance Oval, Netherlands thwarted Zimbabwe’s run-chase in a nail-biting contest, securing their second win in Group B. This victory puts them on par with Ireland, who have a game in hand.
The Netherlands effortlessly outplayed Zimbabwe in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024 match.
Netherlands 135/6 (20) Defeated Zimbabwe 121/4 (20)
Toss: Netherlands Chose to Bat First
SCORECARD
Despite losing key batter Iris Zwilling early due to a direct-hit at the non-striker’s end, Sterre Kalis and Babette de Leede managed to stabilize the innings with a cautious partnership.
The duo started off slowly, with Netherlands reaching 29 in the first six overs. Kalis then unleashed her prowess with consecutive boundaries off Josephine Nkomo, signaling her intent.
Sharne Mayers was introduced into the attack in the 13th over and made an immediate impact by dismissing de Leede for 37, thus breaking the partnership.
Francis Chipare followed suit, claiming the wicket of Kalis two overs later, who was trapped LBW for 34 off 37 balls.
Netherlands added 42 runs in the final five overs with Robine Rijke leading the charge. Her unbeaten knock of 39 off 25 balls provided the much-needed impetus to the innings.
Netherlands secured their second win of the ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup Qualifier.
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In response, Modester Mupachikwa led Zimbabwe’s fight from the top. However, Netherlands struck at the other end, sending back three batters inside the Powerplay.
Frederique Overdijk, Silver Siegers and Zwilling took a wicket each as Zimbabwe were reduced to 29/3. Caroline de Lange added another after the Powerplay, dismissing Ashley Ndiraya.
Nkomo and Mupachikwa resurrected the innings with a solid partnership but with Netherlands maintaining impeccable discipline with the ball, the runs weren’t coming as quickly as they would have wanted.
Zimbabwe needed 52 in the last five overs to win, but could manage 37 more and finished on 121/4 despite the Nkomo-Mupachikwa pair remaining unbeaten.
Netherlands completed a 14-run win to make it two wins in three games in the tournament.
Sri Lanka 154/4 (20) Defeated Uganda 87 (19.2)
Toss: Sri Lanka Chose to Bat First
SCORECARD
A career-best T20I knock from Vishmi Gunaratne and a brilliant bowling effort led Sri Lanka to a massive win in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024.
The opening stand began with a bang for Sri Lanka as Chamari Athapaththu and Gunaratne completed the fifty-run partnership off 45 balls. However, Athapaththu holed out for 24 off Janet Mbabazi.
Harshitha Madavi was run out shortly afterwards, but Gunaratne found support from Hasini Perera, who came in at No.4.
Gunaratne completed her half-century off 51 balls with Perera being the aggressor. The latter was eventually dismissed for 30 off 24 balls in the 18th over.
Gunaratne finished on an unbeaten 73 off 64 balls, her highest score in T20Is and Sri Lanka posted a formidable 154/4 in 20 overs.
Another big win for Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup Qualifier.
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In the chase, Sri Lanka were all over Uganda in no time, reducing them to 22/2 inside the Powerplay.
Inoka Ranaweera stepped into the attack immediately after the Powerplay and struck twice in two balls to reduce Uganda to 22/4.
Left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani also took a wicket in her first over as Uganda lost their first five wickets inside 10 overs with the total on 35.
Prosscovia Alko resisted Sri Lanka’s charge but barely found any support from the other end as wickets kept tumbling.
She made 36 in 32 balls, and was the seventh batter dismissed. Kavisha Dilhari wrapped up the last two wickets off successive balls in the final over and Uganda were bowled out for 87 to hand Sri Lanka a huge victory.
With the 67-run win, Sri Lanka continued their unbeaten streak in the tournament with three wins out of three in Group A.