By Leonard Ratnayake
Sri Lanka Women produced one of the biggest upsets of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating defending champions New Zealand by five wickets with two balls to spare in a thrilling Group B encounter at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Chasing a challenging target of 151, Sri Lanka reached 153 for 5 in 19.4 overs to register a famous victory and keep their World Cup hopes firmly alive. The win was Sri Lanka’s first-ever success against New Zealand in a Women’s T20 World Cup and has blown Group B wide open, while leaving the reigning champions facing a difficult path to the semi-finals after back-to-back defeats.
New Zealand posted 150 for 6 from their 20 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat. The White Ferns made a steady rather than explosive start, losing Isabella Gaze early before Georgia Plimmer and captain Amelia Kerr rebuilt with a partnership of 49. Kerr then combined with experienced campaigner Sophie Devine to add further momentum, with both batters contributing 45 runs.
Just as New Zealand looked poised for a strong finish, Sri Lanka’s bowlers and fielders maintained their discipline. Kavisha Dilhari was the standout performer with 2 for 35, while several sharp catches and athletic fielding efforts ensured the defending champions could not fully capitalise during the closing overs. Maddy Green’s unbeaten 18 helped New Zealand reach 150 for 6, though there was a sense at the innings break that they had fallen short of an ideal total on a surface where stroke-making was not straightforward.
Sri Lanka’s chase began cautiously before captain Chamari Athapaththu injected urgency into the innings. After surviving an early chance, she counterattacked impressively, striking 27 from 19 deliveries and sharing an opening stand of 45 with Vishmi Gunaratne. Their positive approach gave Sri Lanka early momentum, but New Zealand responded strongly.
Bree Illing removed Athapaththu before Nensi Patel dismissed Gunaratne, and further setbacks followed as Hasini Perera was run out by a brilliant direct hit from Amelia Kerr and Harshitha Samarawickrama fell cheaply. Suddenly, Sri Lanka were struggling at 55 for 4 and the defending champions appeared to be regaining control of the contest.
The turning point came through a vital fifth-wicket partnership between Nilakshika Silva and Dilhari. The pair added 50 runs, rebuilding the innings with a blend of composure and intelligent shot selection. Silva took responsibility for managing the chase, rotating the strike effectively and ensuring the required run rate remained under control, while Dilhari played an important supporting role before being run out at a crucial stage.
Even with Dilhari’s departure, Sri Lanka still required a significant effort in the closing overs. Silva, however, remained calm under pressure and found excellent support from young wicketkeeper-batter Kaushini Nuthyangana. Their unbeaten 48-run partnership gradually shifted the momentum back in Sri Lanka’s favour as they chipped away at the target with a mix of sensible running and timely boundaries.
Silva finished unbeaten on a match-winning 54 from 37 deliveries, producing one of the finest innings of the tournament so far. Nuthyangana contributed a composed 24 not out and fittingly struck the winning runs with two balls remaining, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Sri Lankan players.
Named Player of the Match, Silva said her focus was on minimising dot balls and keeping the scoreboard moving through sharp running between the wickets. Athapaththu praised her team’s all-round effort, particularly their improved fielding standards, describing the contest as a must-win game for Sri Lanka’s campaign.
For New Zealand, the defeat was a bitter disappointment. Captain Amelia Kerr acknowledged that her side had been let down by lapses in the field, and the result leaves the world’s fourth-ranked team on the brink of an early exit. For Sri Lanka, meanwhile, the famous victory not only revives their tournament hopes but also stands as one of the most memorable wins in the history of their women’s cricket team.
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