by: TN Media News:
Sri Lanka kicked off their Asia Cup 2024 campaign with an impressive seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh at Dambulla. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to post a competitive total, ending their innings at 111/8. Captain Nigar Sultana was the standout performer for Bangladesh, remaining unbeaten on 48, but frequent wickets hindered their progress. Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoshi Priyadharshani were instrumental in restricting Bangladesh, each claiming two key wickets.
In response, Sri Lanka’s chase was masterfully guided by Vishmi Gunaratne, who scored a composed 51 off 48 balls. Contributions from Chamari Athapaththu (12 runs) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 31 balls) further bolstered the innings. Despite losing three wickets, Sri Lanka comfortably reached the target in 17.1 overs. Nahida Akter’s excellent bowling, with figures of 3/12, provided some resistance but ultimately couldn’t prevent Sri Lanka’s triumph.
Vishmi Gunaratne was named Player of the Match for her crucial half-century, which laid a solid foundation for the chase. Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and steady batting ensured they achieved the target with 17 balls to spare. This victory gives Sri Lanka a strong start in the tournament, highlighting their balanced team performance.
