Sri Lanka Edge Scotland by Three Wickets to Keep Semi‑Final Hopes Alive

Sri Lanka secured a three‑wicket victory over Scotland at Old Trafford in Manchester, keeping their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi‑final hopes alive. Sugandika Kumari struck the winning boundary on the penultimate delivery after Rachel Slater had to leave the field injured with three balls left and three runs required.

Scotland were set 151 for six after being asked to bat first, thanks to an unbeaten 47 from Sarah Bryce and a 34 from Darcey Carter. Sri Lanka chased the target, reaching 154 for seven in 19.5 overs, with Chamari Athapaththu contributing 33 off 16 balls and Harshitha Samarawickrama adding 27.

Scotland’s innings

Scotland started aggressively, but their run‑rate dipped after the powerplay and wickets fell at crucial moments. Katherine Fraser lofted a big shot over Mithali Ayodhya’s head, only to be out for 12 on the very next delivery. Nilakshika Silva grabbed a low catch, and Kavisha Dilhari accounted for Bryce’s wicket for 23.

Darcey Carter provided early impetus, reaching 34 off 36 balls before wicket‑keeper Kaushani Nuthyangana took a sharp catch to end her innings. A 53‑run partnership between Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister steadied the chase, but Lister was run out for 26 and Priyanaz Chatterji was dismissed on the very next ball.

Pippa Sproul fell for a duck to Ayodhya, leaving Sarah Bryce unbeaten on 47 as Scotland closed their innings at 151 for six. Ayodhya finished with figures of 2 for 34, while Dilhari claimed 1 for 19.

Sri Lanka’s chase

Building on her century against Ireland in the preceding game, Chamari Athapaththu continued her fine form, scoring all of Sri Lanka’s runs in the opening two overs and striking Gabriella Fontenla for 18 runs. Fontenla then took a high catch to remove Imesha Dulani, providing Slater with the breakthrough.

Sri Lanka reached the fifty‑run mark in 28 balls, yet Scotland remained in the game. Katherine Fraser dismissed Athapaththu for 33, reducing Sri Lanka to 57 for two. Kathryn Bryce then bowled Perera for 23, and Fraser later trapped Hansima Karunaratne lbw before Samarawickrama was caught by Chatterji for 27.

Sri Lanka slipped to 102 for five in the 13th over, but they kept the chase alive with timely boundaries. Kathryn Bryce accounted for Dilhari’s wicket for 18, and her final over increased the required run rate. After a dropped chance, Kaushani Nuthyangana applied pressure before Lister caught her for 12. With seven runs needed from the final over, Sri Lanka succeeded following the interruption caused by Slater’s injury.

Net run rate picture

Sri Lanka now await the outcome of other matches to determine their qualification chances. They trail the West Indies in net run rate, with the West Indies scheduled to face Ireland in Bristol on Saturday. New Zealand lie two points behind Sri Lanka on the table, yet hold a superior net run rate ahead of their encounter with England at The Oval.

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