Sri Lanka completed a historic first victory in New Zealand in a women's T20I, beating the White Ferns by seven wickets with almost six overs remaining to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Coming off the back of a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the ODI series, Sri Lanka struck back thanks to an outstanding performance from debutant seamer Malki Madara. Her three-wicket-haul was complemented by two wickets apiece from Kavisha Dilhari and Inoshi Priyadharshani as New Zealand were bowled out for 101 in 18.5 overs.
That's the lowest total New Zealand have ever been bowled out for against Sri Lanka in the format, and the lowest total they've ever been bowled out for in a T20I in Christchurch.
Before 16 August 2024, Chamari Athapaththu was the only Sri Lanka batter with a 90-plus score in women's white-ball matches.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 17, 2024
On Friday, she finally got company:arrow_right: https://t.co/D2jGuBSuJP#IREvSL pic.twitter.com/ez51ELTKG4
New Zealand's XI is without some of its senior players, with Sophie Devine taking a break from international cricket and Amelia Kerr playing in the WPL. Emma McLeod top-scored with 44, while eight of New Zealand's batters didn't reach double digits. Captain Suzie Bates was the next top scorer with 21.
Malki Madara records second-best figures on T20I debut for SL Women
Madara dismissed both Bates and McLeod, and claimed Eden Carson the final wicket of the innings, finishing her spell with figures of 3-14 off 3.5 overs. Those are career-best figures for Madara in any format of the game, with her previous best being 2-17 in a domestic T20 match last year. Maduri Samuddika is the only Sri Lankan woman to register better figures on T20I debut, with 3-11 against West Indies in 2012.
In response to the 102-run target, Sri Lanka barely had to break a sweat thanks to their captain Chamari Athapaththu. The legendary all-rounder finished unbeaten on 64 off 48 balls, as she cruised over the line with 35 balls and seven wickets remaining.
The victory was the first time Sri Lanka have beaten New Zealand in New Zealand in any format. It's also the second time in three matches they've beaten New Zealand in a women's T20I, having beaten them by 10 wickets in Colombo in 2023. In their last eight matches against New Zealand which have ended in a result, Sri Lanka have registered four wins, having beaten the side for the first time in any format in June 2023.
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