Women's World T20: Captain Atapattu's half century powers Sri Lanka to consolation win over South Africa

Bengaluru: Sri Lanka Women skipper Chamari Atapattu today led from the front to help her team pull off a consolation 10-run win over South Africa Women in an inconsequential group match of the ICC World T20 in Bengaluru. Opting to bat, Sri Lanka could post only a modest 114 for seven but then managed to restrict South Africa to 104 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. [caption id=“attachment_2700136” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththuin action during their World T20 match against South Africa. PTI[/caption] South Africa produced a disciplined bowling and fielding effort to contain Sri Lanka to a modest total but it proved to be enough in the end. Captain Atapattu’s patient 49-ball 52 paid off as she took the Lankans past 110-run mark before Sugandika Kumari (2/24) and Udeshika Prabodhani (2/13) picked up South African wickets at crucial stages of the match. Even Atapattu chipped in with a wicket. Chasing 115 for victory, South Africa began strongly by putting on 50 runs for the opening wicket but suffered a batting collapse in middle overs and eventually failed to scamper through at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. They were comfortably placed at 50 for no loss in 10th over when Dane van Niekerk (24) was run out by a fine throw by Atapattu, and that opened the floodgates. Niekerk’s opening partner Trisha Chetty (26) also departed in the next over. From 50 for no loss, South Africa lost all their 10 wickets for an addition of just 54 runs. At one stage, South Africa still had a chance when they needed just 22 runs off the last two overs with four wickets in hand but Sri Lanka bowlers tightened the screws. Earlier, Sri Lanka also struggled as they lost early wickets and failed to put on a substantial partnership to get to a competitive total. Inspite of knowing the sub-continental conditions well, Sri Lankan batswomen could not utilise it to their advantage. Only left-handed opener Atapattu played a responsible knock, which included five boundaries and a six, while Prasadani Weerakkody and Eshani Lokusuriyage chipped in with valuable 15 and 12, respectively. For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp (2/17) and Sune Luus (2/20) took two wickets each. Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women: 114 for seven in 20 overs (Chamari Atapattu 52; Marizanne Kapp 2/17). South Africa Women: 104 for seven in 20 overs (Trisha Chetty 26, Dane Van Niekerk 24; Udeshika Prabodhani 2/13, Sugandika Kumari 2/24). PTI