Sri Lanka Women beat Ireland Women by 9 wickets with 27 balls remaining in Match 20 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with Chamari Athapaththu producing the standout performance of the night with a match-winning 106 in a commanding chase of 131.

The result kept Sri Lanka Women moving forward strongly in the tournament after their earlier five-wicket win in Match 7, while Ireland Women were left chasing ground in a competition that has already seen England Women, Australia Women, India Women, West Indies Women, Bangladesh Women, South Africa Women and New Zealand Women all register important victories across the group stage.

Ireland Women posted 130/5 from their 20 overs, built around a composed 59 from Gaby Lewis. Alice Tector added 28 and Leah Paul contributed 20 as Ireland worked their way to a total that offered something for their bowlers to defend. Sri Lanka Women shared the wickets around, with Nilakshika Silva, Mithali Ayodhya and Chamari Athapaththu each taking 1 wicket.

But the chase quickly became Athapaththu’s stage. She led all scorers with 106 and took control of the innings as Sri Lanka moved to 134/1 in just 15.3 overs. Imesha Dulani supported with 20, and Sri Lanka’s only setback was the wicket claimed by Orla Prendergast for Ireland.

The match turned decisively through Athapaththu’s tempo. Ireland had done enough to stay in the contest at 130/5, especially with Lewis anchoring the innings, but Sri Lanka’s response was far more direct. By preserving wickets and scoring at well above the required rate, they never allowed the asking rate to become a factor.

For Ireland, Lewis’s 59 was the backbone of the first innings, with Tector’s 28 and Paul’s 20 providing the most meaningful support. However, the total lacked the extra late push that can change the shape of a T20 defence. Sri Lanka, by contrast, made the chase look considerably smaller through one sustained innings from their captain and Player of the Match.

In the broader tournament picture, this was Match 20 of 33 and it extends the group-stage race rather than deciding anything outright. Earlier on Tuesday, New Zealand Women beat Pakistan Women by 6 wickets with 10 balls remaining, and later the same day Australia Women were due to meet Pakistan Women. The next scheduled match in the tournament after this one is Australia Women vs Pakistan Women on Tuesday, June 23, followed by England Women vs West Indies Women on Wednesday, June 24 and Bangladesh Women vs India Women plus Netherlands Women vs South Africa Women on Thursday, June 25. Sri Lanka Women are next in action against Scotland Women on Friday, June 26, while Ireland Women next face West Indies Women on Saturday, June 27.

Key performers

Ireland Women: Gaby Lewis 59, Alice Tector 28, Leah Paul 20.

Sri Lanka Women: Chamari Athapaththu 106, Imesha Dulani 20.

Sri Lanka Women bowlers: Nilakshika Silva 1 wicket, Mithali Ayodhya 1 wicket, Chamari Athapaththu 1 wicket.

Ireland Women bowlers: Orla Prendergast 1 wicket.

NerdSports Stat: Chamari Athapaththu’s 106 was more than 80% of Sri Lanka Women’s entire chase, a rare T20 effort in which one batter nearly covered the target on her own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the match between Ireland Women and Sri Lanka Women?

Sri Lanka Women won the match by 9 wickets with 27 balls remaining.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Chamari Athapaththu was named Player of the Match for her 106 in Sri Lanka Women’s successful chase.

What is the series standing after this match?

This was Match 20 of 33 in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and the result keeps Sri Lanka Women advancing in the group-stage race rather than deciding the tournament standings outright.

Who was the top scorer in this match?

Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with 106 off the chase for Sri Lanka Women.

When is the next match in the series?

The next match in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is Australia Women vs Pakistan Women on Tuesday, June 23.