Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera smash their way to Asian Games final.
Inspirational skipper tears Pakistani attack apart for another showdown against India.
BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
(eLanka Sports Editor)
Chamari Athapaththu led Sri Lanka to another final, this time at the Asian Games, with a promise to keep about reversing last week’s Asia Cup final against India at the back of her mind.
Sri Lanka’s brilliant skipper keeps reminding her selectors and fans that her work is not done just yet.
She smashed a whirlwind 83 off 50 balls not out with 6 sixers and 7 fours, against Pakistan to make it two elimination semi finals against the same team, this time in convincing fashion.
With Hasini Perera 42 off 26 balls, with 3 sixers and 3 fours, the pair took Sri Lanka from 1 for 36 to 2 for 131 before Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrema 17 off 12, plundered Pakistan’s hapless attack to victory with 13 balls remaining.
Earlier, Imesha Dulani smashed a quickfire 27 off 21 in a dominant role with her skipper as they posted 36 runs in their opening stand off 4.4 overs, but her dismissal, bowled by Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana then saw the Athapaththu- Perera fireworks that steered Sri Lanka home.
Athapaththu’s influence in Sri Lanka’s women’s game has been phenomenal
Sri Lanka invited Pakistan to bat first, and they hit up an impressive 177 for 4 and appeared set to topple their tormentors of the Asia Cup.
But losing opener Gull Feroza in the second ball of the innings, bowled by Sri Lanka pacer Sugandika Kumari rocked Pakistan.
At 2 for 35 after 5.2 overs, Ayasha Zafar, 71 off 40 and Shawal Zulfiqar 54 for 54 off 50 resurrected Pakistan’s innings as the figured in a sparkling 115- run third wicket stand that took tgem to a competitive total.
They reckoned without Sri Lanka’s determined skipper who teamed up with Hasini Perera as they raced to the target in emphatic fashion with eight wickets intact.
India are an established and classy outfit, but with national pride on the line for Gold, the result of this game could go either way.
The wicket in Korogi Sports Park in Japan showed liveliness compared with the low slow track in Dubai at the Asia Cup giving the batters an opportunity to free their arms and play with complete freedom.
Sri Lanka have to contain India’s star studded batters if the are to be a chance for an upset. And India are well aware of their potential after the 2024 Asia Cup where the Islanders shocked them in the final at home.
The gap between Sri Lanka and India is closing noticeably with the emergence of some talented batters and bowlers unearthed under the watchful eye of Australia’s Jamie Siddons who is head coach of the team.
Siddons took over from former Sri Lanka fast bowling legend Rumesh Ratnayake who piloted their climb to world recognition.
While Athapaththu shows signs of relinquishing her role as skipper in the not too distant future, the emergence of players like Harshita Samarawickrema, Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva and Imesha Dulani underlines Sri Lanka’s future future which is more balanced after being so dependent on the skipper to keep them competitive.
India, like most nations will plan around getting Sri Lanka’s skipper early to take control of the game. The usual ploy has been to let her loose in anticipation of her being over adventurous or challenge her to break the shackles with tight line and length.
Athapaththu is a naturally aggressive batter who isn’t intimidated easily, and has proved her ability against the best bowlers in the world.
However, her downfall is sometimes associated with a rush of blood that curbs her natural instincts and costs her wicket.
She needs to work on her mindset against India and try to stay around long enough if they bat first. Her guiding influence can galvanise a talented Sri Lanka batting line-up that can deliver if they hit their straps.
Containing India’s deep batting with Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Smirti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma and Jemima Rodriguez will be a herculean task.
Win or lose, Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lankans will return with a medal.
But Gold will be their glittering attraction.
