Sri Lanka kept their faint ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a nervy three-wicket victory over Scotland in Manchester.
Chasing 152, Sri Lanka reached 154/7 in the final over after a tense finish. Nilakshika Silva stayed calm under pressure before Sugandika Kumari struck the decisive boundary through short third to seal the win with two balls remaining.
Sri Lanka now need other results to go their way, while Scotland will regret missing a chance to secure direct qualification for the 2028 edition.
Scotland Start Positively
Scotland made a bright start through Darcey Carter and Katherine Fraser.
Carter attacked early, hitting four boundaries from her first ten balls, while Fraser added quick support before falling for 12 to an excellent diving catch from Silva off Mithali Ayodhya.
Carter and Kathryn Bryce took Scotland to 45/1 in the powerplay, with Carter also becoming the leading run-scorer of the tournament during her innings.
Sri Lanka Fight Back in Middle Overs
Sri Lanka slowed Scotland after the powerplay through disciplined bowling.
Kathryn Bryce struck a six and a four off Chamari Athapaththu but was later caught and bowled by Kavisha Dilhari for 23. Carter, after a fast start, struggled to maintain momentum and eventually made 34.
Scotland managed only 43 runs in the eight overs after the powerplay as Sri Lanka regained control.
Sarah Bryce Lifts Scotland Past 150
Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister revived the innings with a valuable 53-run stand from 32 balls.
Lister made a quick 26 from 17 before being run out by a sharp Silva direct hit. Sarah Bryce carried the innings late, finishing unbeaten on 47 and striking two boundaries in the final over to lift Scotland to 151/6.
Athapaththu Gives Sri Lanka Flying Start
Fresh from her unbeaten century against Ireland, Athapaththu once again began explosively.
She struck two fours in the opening over before attacking Gabriella Fontenla for three fours and a six in the second. Alongside Hasini Perera, she helped Sri Lanka pass fifty in just 4.4 overs.
But Scotland hit back when Fraser bowled Athapaththu for 33 from 16 balls.
Scotland Push Sri Lanka to the Brink
After the powerplay, Sri Lanka’s scoring rate dropped sharply.
Kathryn Bryce removed Perera, while Fraser trapped Hansima Karunaratne lbw to reduce Sri Lanka to 78/4. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Dilhari briefly steadied the chase, but both fell attempting attacking shots.
With 34 needed from the final five overs and only four wickets in hand, Scotland sensed a major opportunity.
Silva and Sugandika Finish the Job
Scotland kept the pressure on with tight overs from Fraser and Kirstie Gordon, but dropped chances proved costly late in the chase.
Fontenla put down two catches in two overs, and Kathryn Bryce conceded ten runs in the penultimate over, including two wides.
In the final over, Silva and Sugandika kept their composure. After Slater was forced off injured midway through the over, Chatterji completed it, but Sugandika found the boundary to secure a dramatic Sri Lankan victory.
