Sri Lanka crush Malaysia by 139 runs in T20 World Cup opener

Hosts Malaysia were dismissed for just 23 runs in their maiden Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup appearance, as Sri Lanka secured a massive 139-run victory in the first of two games on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.

 

Put in to bat, Sri Lanka capitalized on quick knocks from opener Sanjana Kavindi (30 off 13) and No. 3 Dahami Sanethma (55 off 52), reaching 52 runs in the powerplay. Sanethma anchored the innings despite wickets falling at the other end, including two in the 17th over. Cameos from Hiruni Hansika (28 off 21) and Shashini Gimhani (13 off 7) helped propel the total to 162/6.

 

In reply, Malaysia's chase faltered early as left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda struck twice in the second over, reducing the hosts to 2 for 3. The collapse continued as Malaysia quickly dropped to 14 for 5, then 20 for 7, with two wickets each from Manudi Nanayakkara and Limansa Thilakarathna. No Malaysia batter reached double figures, and six players were dismissed for ducks. Praboda finished with impressive figures of 4-2-5-3.