Sri Lankan women run out of steam

Sri Lanka ran itself out of a winning position to gift India the second women’s Twenty20 match at Chintalavalasa on Sunday. The three-match series is now level 1-1.

Opener Lasanthi Madushani was run out in the first over and later vice-captain Chamari Atapattu (40, 40b, 5x4), who was guiding the team towards an easy target of 128, was run out attempting a second run. Off the next ball, substitute Poonam Raut was quick to send the ball back as Sripali Weerakkody was going for her second run.

At 97 for six, Sri Lanka needed someone to play a stellar knock, like its captain Shashikala Siriwardene who guided the team to victory from a similar situation the previous day. But, there was no one to take that responsibility as the visitors lost by nine runs.

India managed to restrict Sri Lanka with Mithali Raj opting for pace at both ends unlike in the previous games when she opened with spin-pace combination. Jhulan Goswami hit a good patch again and Soniya Dabir was also restrictive.

Earlier, India, asked to bat first, found the Sri Lankan bowlers difficult to handle. Medium-pacers Udeshika Prabodhani and Eshani Lokusuriyage struck as India was reduced to 29 for four.

Some rearguard action by Jhulan, Amita Sharma and Soniya, who made 23 each, helped the host reach 127 for eight.

The scores: India 127 for eight in 20 overs (Udeshika Prabodhani three for 16) bt Sri Lanka 118 for eight in 20 overs (Chamari Atapattu 40).