Sri Lanka U-19 women beat Pakistan by six wickets to stay top of tri-series

Sri Lanka’s women’s Under-19 cricket team continued their unbeaten run with a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the eighth match of the Tri-Nation T20 series at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad yesterday (12).

The victory was Sri Lanka’s fourth in succession and kept them at the top of the table with eight points.

Chasing 106 for victory, Sri Lanka reached 106 for four in 13.3 overs, with 39 balls to spare.

Opener Sanjana Kavindi, who has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent batters in the tournament, led the chase with 46 off 28 balls, including five fours and two sixes.

Kavindi and Vimoksha Balasuriya put on 24 runs for the opening wicket before Balasuriya was dismissed for 10 off 11 balls. Nethmi Upeksha then joined Kavindi, adding 23 runs for the second wicket. Upeksha scored 16 off nine balls, including three fours.

Kavindi, who had been seeking a third successive half-century, was dismissed in the 10th over by off-spinner Rozina Akram.

Limansa Thillekaratne remained unbeaten on 16 off 22 balls and helped take Sri Lanka close to the target. Shashini Gimhani was run out when the scores were level at 105 before Umayangana Peiris scored the winning run.

Earlier, Pakistan were restricted to 105 for eight in their 20 overs.

Openers Komal Khan and Ravail Farhan added 20 runs for the first wicket, while Aqsa Habib made 20 and Shahar Bano remained unbeaten on 24.

Leg-spinner Thillekaratne was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, taking three wickets for 14 runs in two overs. She struck twice in successive deliveries in the 14th over as Pakistan’s middle order struggled to build momentum.

Sixteen-year-old fast bowler Yeshali Jithara, who replaced Danodya Sewmini in the side, also impressed with two wickets for 20 runs in three overs. Nethmi Upeksha took one for eight, while captain Chamudi Praboda finished with one for nine.

Thillekaratne was named Player of the Match for her bowling performance and unbeaten contribution with the bat.

Praboda said the players remained committed to maintaining their winning momentum.

Sri Lanka will face Bangladesh in their final league match tomorrow at the same venue. Both teams have already qualified for the final, which will be played on 16 October.

Scores:Pakistan Women’s Under-19 105 for 8 in 20 overs (Aqsa Habib 20, Shahar Bano 24 not out; Limansa Thillekaratne 3/14, Yeshali Jithara 2/20)

Sri Lanka Women’s Under-19 106 for 4 in 13.3 overs (Sanjana Kavindi 46, Nethmi Upeksha 16, Limansa Thillekaratne 16 not out; Mahnoor Zeb 1/24, Rozina Akram 1/28)