Defending champions Sri Lanka rode on superlative seven-fer from captain Chamari Athapaththu to crush Indonesia by 75 runs to continue their winning run in the ongoing Women's Asia Cup 2026.
The contest opened with Indonesia making the early breakthrough after choosing to field first, quickly placing Sri Lanka on the back foot. Ni Ariani struck in the second over, bowling Imesha Dulani to make up for a missed chance earlier. Although skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Sanjana Kavindi attempted to steady the innings with a few boundaries, Indonesia’s relentless spin attack, combined with unpredictable bounce, kept the pressure on. By the eighth over, Sri Lanka were reeling at 36 for four and eventually tumbled to a precarious 62 for six. However, a dramatic turnaround led by Nilakshika Silva rescued the innings. Batting at number six, Silva crafted her third T20I half-century to lift the team to a defendable 124 for seven.
Chamari Athapaththu wreaks havoc with hat-trick, tops it up with sizzling 7-fer
Athapaththu then took complete control with the ball, delivering a devastating spell to dismantle the Indonesian lineup. The Sri Lankan captain recorded her first international five-wicket haul—finishing with extraordinary, record-breaking figures of 7/5—and wrapped up the match in style by snatching a hat-trick to wipe out the tail.
Nilakshika Silva's crucial fifty in Sri Lanka's win over Indonesia
Nilakshika Silva anchored Sri Lanka's recovery through a patient rebuilding phase, enduring a 43-ball boundary drought to guide the score to 68 for six. Showing intent by moving across her crease to target the shorter boundaries, she accelerated late in the innings, punishing Ariani with precise boundary hits before executing a reverse scoop and a flicked six to register her half-century. Though she fell immediately after reaching the milestone, her late charge pushed Sri Lanka to a competitive 124 for seven.
Indonesia started their chase with early intent, prompting Sri Lanka to withdraw their close-in fielders. However, the introduction of spin quickly turned the tide. Athapaththu struck first by bowling Pangestuti, and Sugandika followed up by removing Dewi. Athapaththu then doubled down with two wickets in consecutive balls, before Dilhari bowled Wulandari to reduce Indonesia to a dismal 29 for five at the halfway mark.
With boundaries nearly non-existent across a 13-over stretch, Indonesia's run chase stalled completely. Athapaththu returned for a final, lethal spell, dismissing Ariani, Maypriani, and Paramitha in three consecutive deliveries to complete a historic, match-sealing hat-trick for Sri Lanka.