Harshitha, Nilakshi sail Sri Lanka to consecutive win in Women’s T20 WC

CAPE TOWN: Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva led the batting charge for Sri Lanka as the side sealed their second consecutive win of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after a comfortable seven-wicket win over Bangladesh on Sunday.

Set to chase a meagre total of 126, opener Harshitha played a valiant knock of unbeaten 69 while Nilakshi succoured from the other end with 38-ball 41 to take Sri Lanka home with 10 balls to spare.

Bangladesh, however, slumped to 125 for the loss of eight wickets as they lacked firepower in the lower order which could have taken them to a respectable total after they reached 95/4 in 15 overs.

Sobhana Mostary and skipper Nigar Sultana made 29 and 28 respectively to keep Bangladesh afloat in the middle overs before their batting choked.

Spinners led the way for Sri Lanka as skipper Chamari Athapaththu took three wickets while Oshadi Ranasinghe had three for 23 in her four overs. 

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, wobbled a bit in their chase when spinner Marufa Akter demolished the top order and reduced the side to 25 for three inside six overs. She picked three and was the only Bangladesh bowler to etch her name in the wickets section.

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