Sri Lankan top-order batter Vishmi Gunaratne marked her 100th international appearance with a composed 49 off 41 balls, playing a crucial role in her side’s 4-wicket win over Scotland in the second game of their campaign at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy. The 21-year-old reached the landmark on 13th November 2026 at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground in Ajman, in the fifth game of the tournament’s second edition, which runs from 12th to 25th November in the UAE. Her near half-century not only anchored a modest chase but also underlined why she has become one of Sri Lanka’s most dependable young batters across formats.
Sri Lanka, led by Harshitha Samarawickrama in the absence of regular captain Chamari Athapaththu, won the toss and chose to field first. Scotland, captained by Kathryn Bryce, managed 111 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, leaving Sri Lanka with a target of 112. Vishmi Gunaratne opened the innings alongside Hasini Perera, who fell for a first-ball duck. Undeterred, the 21-year-old took responsibility at the top and played with a blend of patience and intent. Her 49 came from 41 deliveries and featured three boundaries and a six, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s chase never lost its direction. The side completed the pursuit in 18.1 overs, winning by four wickets.
The milestone carried added significance because Gunaratne made her international debut in a T20I against the same opponent at Kuala Lumpur on 18th January 2022. Nearly five years later, she reached her century of appearances in a match against them, giving her a sense of nostalgia to mark the landmark occasion and adding a fitting chapter to her international journey.
Harshitha Samarawickrama’s T20I Career in Numbers
In T20Is, Gunaratne is currently Sri Lanka’s sixth-highest run-scorer, with 994 runs in 63 matches and 61 innings. She has accumulated those runs at an average of 19.11 and a strike rate of 91.02, including four half-centuries. Her best T20I innings came on 1st May 2024 against Uganda in Abu Dhabi, when she struck an unbeaten 73 from 64 balls while opening alongside Athapaththu. Her knock, laced with seven fours and two sixes, helped Sri Lanka post 154 for 4 before bowling Uganda out for 87 in 19.2 overs to win by 67 runs. Gunaratne was named Player of the Match for that performance.
She has also established herself in the 50-over format since making her ODI debut against India at Pallekele on 4th July 2022. In 37 ODIs, she has scored 927 runs at an average of 27.26 and a strike rate of 73.04, with three half-centuries and two centuries in 36 innings.
Her current form in the Emerging Nations Trophy has been particularly encouraging. With 102 runs at a strike rate of 130.76 in two innings, including an unbeaten half-century against Ireland, Gunaratne is the leading run-scorer of the tournament. Her ability to accelerate while retaining control at the top has given Sri Lanka a strong platform in both games so far.
Sri Lanka will next face Papua New Guinea, led by Brenda Tau, on 15th November 2026 at the same venue, with play beginning at 2:45 PM IST. For Gunaratne, the match offers another opportunity to convert her landmark innings into another memorable performance and continue building on an already impressive start to her career.
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