Thursday, September 19, 2024

Ireland v Sri Lanka: Hosts beat Sri Lanka by seven runs in second T20

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Ireland beat Sri Lanka by seven runs to win the second Twenty20 international in Dublin on Tuesday.

Gaby Lewis scored a sensational 119 for Ireland as they posted 173-3 from their 20 overs at Sydney Parade to secure their first ever victory over Sri Lanka.

Harshitha Samarawickrama was Sri Lanka’s highest scorer with 65, but they were unable to build on their victory in the opening T20 on Sunday.

After winning the toss Ireland chose to bat first with opener Amy Hunter falling for nine.

But Lewis stepped up, hitting two sixes and an impressive 17 fours off just 75 balls before being dismissed by Ama Kanchana for 119.

Orla Prendergast (38 from 31 balls) and Rebecca Stokell (4) saw out the rest of the innings for the hosts.

Prendergast dismissed opener Vishmi Gunaratne (1) after just seven balls but Samarawickrama’s 65 from 44 had Sri Lanka in a good position at 101-2 after 12.1 overs.

But when she was bowled by Jane Maguire, Sri Lanka’s run chase faltered.

Freya Sargent had Nilakshi de Silva (10) caught and bowled before bowling captain Anushka Sanjeewani (8), and Prendergast dismissed Kanchana (11) as the visitors’ run-rate dropped.

Kavisha Dilhari (51 not out) gave Sri Lanka hope and they needed 16 off the last over but tight bowling from Arlene Kelly helped Ireland wrap up victory.

The sides will now meet in a three-game one-day international series which starts at Stormont on Friday.

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