India restrain Sri Lanka and top Group A at ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup
Media release
In the last game of the group stage India restricted Sri Lanka to 58 for nine, prevailing by 60 runs and making it three wins from three in emphatic fashion.
Earlier on, the West Indies became the 12th and final team to book a Super 6 slot by beating hosts Malaysia.
The tournament continues with 13th to 16th Place play-offs in Johor tomorrow, before Super 6 action begins on Saturday.
Sri Lanka impress with the ball
Sri Lanka made the most of the grip and turn in the Bayuemas Oval surface and excelled in the field to restrict India to a modest 118 for nine.
The Indian innings was carried single-handedly by opener Trisha Gongadi.
Gongadi lost two partners early on as her side sank to 17 for two, at which point a rain delay allowed India to regroup.
Gongadi came back out and met fire with fire, striking six boundaries in an innings of 49, before her departure in the 14th over triggered a mini-collapse.
Pramudi Methsara, Limansa Thilakaratne and Aseni Thalagune all claimed two wickets apiece in a confident, spin-dominated Sri Lankan bowling display.
India bite back
India immediately imposed themselves and took wickets in each of the first five overs to sink Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the target.
Shabnam had Sumudu Nisansala caught at cover from the second ball of the innings and returned to snaffle Dahami Sanethma, as the top order caved in at 12 for five.
Rashmika Sewwnaid and Limasa Thilakaratne briefly held back the tide before the former’s departure triggered the loss of a further three wickets for six runs.
Tailenders Pramudi Methsara and Aseni Thalagune hung around for 28 and 30 balls respectively, but the result was never in doubt.
Windies hold their nerve
Earlier, the West Indies secured the third Super 6 spot in Group A with a convincing victory in a must-win match against hosts Malaysia.
Having been asked to bat first, the West Indies did not have it all their own way and eked out 47 runs for the loss of one wicket in the first 10 overs.
Opener Asabi Callender struck four fours in a crucial innings of 30, before Jahzara Claxton crushed a quick 19 to raise her side to 112 for seven.
After initially offering stubborn resistance, Malaysia collapsed from 38 for three to losing seven wickets for nine runs.
The Windies spinners wreaked havoc, with skipper Samara Ramnath taking four wickets for six runs, Erin Deane two for seven and Naijanni Cumberbatch two for 14.
Scores in brief
Malaysia v West Indies – Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur
West Indies 112 for 7 in 20 overs (Asabi Callender 30, Jahzara Claxton 19; Nur Izzatul Syafiqa 2/26, Nazwah 2/28)
Malaysia 59 for 8 in 18 overs (Nur Dania Syuhada 12, Husna 8; Samara Ramnath 4/6, Erin Deane 2/7)
Result: West Indies won by 53 runs
India v Sri Lanka - Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur
India 118 for 9 in 20 overs (Trisha Gongadi 49, Mithila Vinod 16; Limasa Thilakaratne 2/14, Pramudi Methsara 2/10)
Sri Lanka 58 for 9 in 20 overs (Rashmika Sewwandi 15, Aseni Thalagune 9; Parunika Sisodia 2/7, Shabnam 2/9)
Result: India won by 60 runs
ENDS