Chamari Athapaththu’s brilliant century was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s emphatic win in the T20 World Cup Qualifier final against Scotland in Abu Dhabi. Her 102 runs from just 63 balls steered Sri Lanka to a solid total of 169 for 5, setting a challenging target for Scotland, who struggled to keep pace and ultimately fell short by 68 runs, managing only 101 for 7.
The match began with Scotland opting to field first, a decision they would soon regret as Athapaththu unleashed her prowess on the field. Despite losing her opening partner early, Athapaththu dominated the innings, beautifully mixing aggression with precision, hitting 13 fours and four sixes. Her partnership with Nilakshika Silva was particularly destructive, contributing 83 runs to the scoreboard.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by left-arm pacer Udeshika Prabodhani, who clinched 3 for 13, and supported by tight spin bowling, then took center stage. They dismantled Scotland’s batting lineup, ensuring that the initial target set by their captain’s stunning innings became insurmountable.
Scotland showed some resistance, mainly through Priyanaz Chatterji, who scored 30 runs from 34 balls, but the pressure from Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack proved too much for the Scottish side.
This victory not only highlights Sri Lanka’s prowess but also strategically places them in Group A of the T20 World Cup alongside cricketing heavyweights like Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Scotland, despite the loss, will compete in Group B against South Africa, England, West Indies, and Bangladesh.
With both teams already having secured their spots in the T20 World Cup prior to this final, the match was more about momentum and confidence, with Sri Lanka clearly setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament in Bangladesh later this year.
