Sri Lanka A Women pulled off a thrilling three-wicket victory over New Zealand A Women in the opening T20 at Dambulla, chasing down the target in dramatic fashion with three balls to spare. The contest remained evenly poised throughout the evening as both sides exchanged momentum repeatedly, making it a gripping start to the T20 leg of the New Zealand A Women tour of Sri Lanka. With crucial partnerships, impactful bowling spells, and late-order fireworks, the game showcased the growing depth in women’s cricket and provided fans with a memorable encounter.
After being asked to bat first, New Zealand A Women endured an early setback when captain Jess Watkin tried to accelerate from the outset but was trapped lbw by Chamudi Praboda for a brisk 7 off just four deliveries. The wicket came with the score at 11 in 1.3 overs. Bella James attempted to counterattack with two boundaries in her 9-ball 9, but Sri Lanka A’s disciplined bowling attack kept striking at regular intervals. Sathya Sandeepani produced a sharp spell and removed Tash Wakelin for 15 after she had looked comfortable during a promising stand. Bella Armstrong could not make an impact and fell for a duck, leaving New Zealand A Women struggling at 25/3 inside five overs.
The innings was then rebuilt through an important middle-order partnership between Prue Catton and JA Watkins. Catton played a composed knock of 25 from 26 balls, striking three boundaries while rotating the strike effectively. Watkins supported well with 20 off 24 deliveries as the duo steadied the innings with a valuable 38-run partnership. However, Sachini Nisansala changed the momentum with a double breakthrough, dismissing both batters and tightening Sri Lanka A Women’s grip on the match.
Just when the innings appeared headed toward a below-par total, Kate Gaging produced a crucial late flourish. Remaining unbeaten on 35 from 27 deliveries, she struck six boundaries and injected momentum into the innings during the death overs. Hannah Rowe supported her calmly with an unbeaten 10 as the pair stitched together a valuable unbroken partnership to push New Zealand A Women to 129/6 in 20 overs. Extras also contributed eight runs at a key stage.
Sri Lanka A Women’s bowling attack collectively delivered an impressive effort. Sathya Sandeepani was among the standout performers with 2/12 in her three overs, maintaining control through the middle phase. Sachini Nisansala also claimed 2/12 from four overs and broke the backbone of the New Zealand middle order. Chamudi Praboda picked up 2/28, while Rashmika Sewwandi and Dewmi Vihanga supported effectively despite going wicketless. Their ability to contain boundaries during crucial moments proved decisive in restricting the visitors below the 130-run mark.
Chasing 130, Sri Lanka A Women began aggressively as Sanjana Kavindi smashed two boundaries in a whirlwind 8 off three balls before Hannah Rowe removed her in the opening over. Vishmi Gunaratne then anchored the innings with a composed 27 from 31 deliveries, finding boundaries regularly and stabilising the chase. However, New Zealand A Women kept themselves alive through timely breakthroughs. Emma Black dismissed Vimoksha Balasuriya for 7, while Kayley Knight struck twice to remove captain Sathya Sandeepani and Sumudu Nisansala, reducing Sri Lanka A Women to 79/6 after 14.3 overs.
The match then turned dramatically through a game-changing partnership between Piumi Wathsala and Rashmika Sewwandi. With the required rate climbing, the duo counterattacked fearlessly and shifted the pressure back onto the visitors. Wathsala played a mature unbeaten knock of 21 from 16 balls, while Sewwandi delivered the most explosive innings of the chase with 26 off only 16 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six. Their partnership revived Sri Lanka A Women’s hopes and brought the equation within reach before Sewwandi was dismissed at 118/7 in the 18.4th over.
Even after the wicket, Sri Lanka A Women held their nerve. Shashini Gimhani provided the finishing touch with a stunning cameo, smashing an unbeaten 7 off just two deliveries, including a six at a strike rate of 350.00. Alongside the calm presence of Piumi Wathsala, she guided the hosts to 131/7 in 19.3 overs and sealed an exciting win.
New Zealand A Women’s bowlers fought hard throughout the chase. Hannah Rowe delivered an effective opening spell and finished with 2/22 from four overs, while Kayley Knight also picked up 2/27 and created pressure during the middle overs. Emma Black, Jess Watkin, and Bella Armstrong chipped in with one wicket each, but the visitors struggled to contain Sri Lanka A Women during the closing stages as the lower middle order completed the chase.
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