Sri Lanka Women have kept their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign alive, but only after Scotland dragged them into a final-over scrap at Old Trafford.
Chasing 152, Sri Lanka reached 154 for seven with one ball to spare, sealing a three-wicket win that protects their semi-final hopes and leaves Scotland with another painful near-miss in Group B.
Sri Lanka survive Scotland pressure
Scotland posted 151 for six after being sent in, a total that gave their attack enough scoreboard pressure to test Sri Lanka’s middle order. The chase was never clean: Sri Lanka were still six down at 125 after 17 overs before the lower order dragged the game over the line.
The final blow came from Sugandika Kumari, whose boundary off Priyanaz Chatterji ended the contest at 19.5 overs. The result follows Chamari Athapaththu’s recent century against Ireland and keeps Sri Lanka’s group campaign breathing, even if net run rate remains a live issue.
Why the result matters
The narrow margin matters almost as much as the win. Sri Lanka needed victory first, but a more emphatic chase would have done more for their qualification equation. Instead, Scotland’s bowlers, led by Katherine Fraser and Kirstie Gordon, forced the game deep enough to deny Sri Lanka a statement finish.
For Sri Lanka, the takeaway is blunt: the campaign is still alive, but the room for waste has gone. Athapaththu’s side now need the rest of Group B to open up in their favour.
Read more: how Sri Lanka entered the Scotland clash with their World Cup route narrowing.
