Sri Lanka women’s team led by Chamari Atapattu put in a fine team effort to beat Bangladesh women by seven wickets to level the T-20 series in the second T-20 game played at SSC grounds yesterday.

Skipper Chamari Atapattu won the toss and invited the opponents to bat but Bangladesh lasses once again failed to give a good start and Sri Lankan bowlers put pressure from the beginning. The experienced Udeshika Probodhani made the first breakthrough when she took opener Rubya Haider’s wicket (18) in the fifth over. Inoka Ranaweera the experienced leggie took the second wicket when Shamima Sultana was clean bowled during the ninth over and Bangladesh were 53 for 2 wickets at that stage heading for a big total but the Sri Lanka bowlers controlled the game and the fielders did excellent work.

Skipper Nigar Sultana who was the first game-match winner was unable to stay long Udeshika took her prize wicket and Sultana was beaten and bowled by Udeshika scoring only 7 in 17 balls. Ritu Moni the dashing stroke maker hit a boundary and went for a big hit but Nilakshi de Silva took a well-judged catch to dismiss Moni off the bowling of spinner Oshadi Ranasinghe. In the 16th over bowled by off spinner Kaveesha Dilhari took two wickets in two balls but missed the hat-trick and Bangladesh were bowled out for 100 runs in 18.3 overs.

Kaveesha Dilhari the Player of the Match receiving her award from SLC Exco member Nalin Aponso.

Udeshika Probodhani, Kaveesha Dilhari, Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ranaweera took two wickets each while leg spinner Inoka Ranaweera was more economical with 2 for 9 in her 3.3 overs spell.

Sri Lanka lasses chasing a target of 101 runs and openers Chamari Atapattu with Vishmi Gunaratne made a solid start adding 43 runs in 6.2 overs. Chamari was the more aggressive scoring 33 in 27 balls with 6 fours and a six while Vishmi the youngest player of the side made 12 in 17 balls with a boundary. Harshitha Samarawickrama the inform batter hit 29 in 42 balls with a four while Kaveesha Dilhari 20 in 18 balls were involved in a 33-run fourth wicket unbroken stand to steer them to victory with nine balls to spare. Fahima Khatum took 2 for 16 in her four-over spell.

All-rounder Kaveesha Dilhari was named player of the match and she received her award from SLC Exco member Nalin Aponso at the presentation ceremony.

The two teams will meet in their third and final deciding game today at the same venue at SSC grounds, commencing from 10 am.

Chief scores

Bangladesh women’s 100 all out in 18.3 overs Shamika Sultana 18, Rubya Heider 16, Sobhana Mostary 18, Murshida Khatun 14,Udeshika Probodhani 2/21, Sugandika Kumari 2/13, Inoka Ranaweera 2/9, Kaveesha Dilhari 2/13

Sri Lanka women’s 101 for 3 wickets in 18.3 overs Chamari Atapattu 33, Vishmi Gunaratne 12, Harshitha Samarawickrama 29*, Kaveesha Dilhari 20*, Fahima Khatum 2/14