Chamari led Sri Lanka creates history in South Africa

Sri Lanka Women’s tour of South Africa 2024 (Third T20I)

Sri Lanka Women’s team made history by defeating South Africa Women’s by four wickets and winning the three-match T20I series 2-1 at Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday (3).

The win also marked as the the first time that Sri Lanka have beaten South Africa in a limited over series.

The home team batted first and scored 155 for six, but the visitors successfully chased down the target by finishing on 156 for six, marking the highest successful run chase in a T20I at Buffalo Park.

Chamari Athapathtu, the captain of Sri Lanka, was the top-scorer with 73 runs. Her partnership of 97 runs for the second wicket with Harshita Samarawickrama set the stage for the victory.

Earlier Sri Lanka were off to a shaky, following Nonkululeko Mlaba’s early breakthrough in the second over, as Wolvaardt executed a running catch to dismiss inform Vishmi Gunaratne for one (3b).

Following a early set back Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama then stabilized the innings, scoring briskly in an effort to achieve the highest successful run chase in a T20I at Buffalo Park.

Their 50-run partnership (35 balls) was reached in the seventh over. In the process Athapaththu reached her ninth T20I half-century, her third against South Africa, with a massive six in the tenth over.

The second wicket partnership (97 runs) was eventually broken at 102 when Marizanne Kapp bowled Athapathtu for 73 off just 46 deliveries (7×4, 5×6). Sri Lanka suffered their third wicket loss ten runs later as Kavisha Dilhari was dismissed for one, caught by De Klerk off the bowling of Eliz-Mari Marx. With five overs remaining, Sri Lanka needed 35 runs to secure victory.

Hasini Perera (10) was dismissed by Tumi Sekhukhune, claiming the fourth Sri Lankan wicket to reduce the visitors for 136-4.

With 19 runs required in the last two overs, Sri Lanka were struck with another wicket when Nilakshika Silva (12) was bowled by De Klerk. To make things worse for the Lankans De Klerk uprooted the wickets of Anuskhka Sanjeewani in the very next ball to keep the game wide open.

However despite a late drama experienced campaigner Harahitha Samarawickrama stood firm and make sure no further hiccups as she took her team over the line with 5 balls to spare.

Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 54 runs off 43 balls, including 4 boundaries and 1 six.

Earlier batting first, South Africa had a decent start with a partnership of 37 runs for the first wicket between Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits.

Brits was dismissed by Sugandika Kumari after scoring 7 runs off 9 balls with 1 boundary. The Proteas lost their second wicket at a score of 51 when Kapp was caught and bowled by Udeshika Prabodhani, scoring 8 runs off 5 balls with 2 boundaries.

Following the breakthrough South Africa witnessed a middle order collapse as they lost wickets in crucial juncture of the game.

However, a quick fire of 25 ball 44 runs from the bat of Nadine de Klerk steadied South Africa innings as they reached fighting 155-6 in their allotted 20 Overs.

Laura Wolvaardt smashed a blistering 50 runs off 53 deliveries from top of the order to strengthen South Africa Chances to a series win.

Following the conclusion of the T20I series the two sides will move to the ODI’s scheduled to begin on Tuesday 9 April at Buffalo Park.