SL, B’desh register big win to enter semifinals of women’s Asia Cup

DAMBULLA, July 24:

Hosts Sri Lanka and Bangladesh cruised into the semifinals of the women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament with comfortable victories over Thailand and Malaysia here on Wednesday.
While Sri Lanka thrashed Thailand by 10 wickets in the final group match of the tournament, Bangladesh hammered Malaysia by 114 runs earlier in the day at the same venue.
In the first match of the day, Bangladesh rode on opener Murshida Khatun’s 59-ball 80 and skipper Nigar Sultana’s 37-ball 62 to post a commanding 191 for 2.
Opting to bat, Khatun and wicket-keeper Dilara Akter (33) shared 65 runs for the opening wicket before the former joined hands with Sultana to stitch 89 runs for the second wicket to set the foundation for the big total.
Bangladesh then restricted Malaysia to 77 for 8 in 20 overs to register a convincing win and a place in the semifinals.
In the last group match of the tournament, Thailand could muster only 93 for 7 after opting to bat.
Wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored for Thailand with a 53-ball 47.
Off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari (2/13) was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka. (PTI)