Sri Lankan Cricketer Chamari Athapaththu Makes History with First Century in Women’s Asia Cup

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd July 2024

Sri Lankan cricketer Chamari Athapaththu etched her name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the first player to score a century in the Women’s Asia Cup. The landmark achievement occurred during the match against Malaysia on Monday, July 22, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Athapaththu’s remarkable performance saw her remain unbeaten with a stellar 119 runs from just 69 balls. Her innings was punctuated with 14 boundaries and seven sixes, showcasing her powerful striking and technical prowess.

The match unfolded with Sri Lanka being asked to bat first, setting the stage for Athapaththu’s historic innings. Her exceptional performance was pivotal in securing a dominant position for Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan skipper’s century was a standout moment in a day of high-stakes cricket.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka also marked a notable victory in their encounter against Bangladesh, winning by seven wickets. Bangladesh’s captain, Nigar Sultana, won the toss and opted to bat first. The Bangladeshi team managed to post a total of 111 runs while losing eight wickets. Nigar Sultana was the top scorer for her side, contributing 48 runs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Udeshika Prabhudani and Inoshi Priyadarshini, played crucial roles, each claiming two wickets to restrict Bangladesh’s scoring.

In response, Sri Lanka achieved the target with relative ease, losing just three wickets in the process. They reached a total of 114 runs in 17.1 overs. Vishmi Gunaratne was instrumental in this chase, scoring 51 runs to guide her team to victory. On the Bangladeshi side, Nahida Akhtar stood out with the ball, taking three wickets but could not prevent Sri Lanka from securing their win.

Athapaththu’s century not only marked a significant milestone for Sri Lankan cricket but also underscored the growing competitive spirit of the Women’s Asia Cup. Her performance, combined with Sri Lanka’s victory in the earlier match, has added an exciting dimension to the tournament, highlighting the high level of skill and determination present in the competition.

As the Women’s Asia Cup progresses, Athapaththu’s historic century will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal moment, setting a benchmark for future players and adding a memorable chapter to the tournament’s history.