Chamari Athapaththu's Masterclass: Sri Lanka Dominates Thailand in T20 World Cup Qualifier Opener

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier kicked off with a bang in Abu Dhabi, as Sri Lanka's captain fantastic, Chamari Athapaththu, delivered an awe-inspiring performance to guide her team to a resounding 67-run victory over Thailand. It was a statement win, setting a formidable tone for Sri Lanka's campaign right from the outset.

Athapaththu, renowned for her aggressive batting, unleashed a devastating assault on the Thai bowlers, smashing a breathtaking 87 runs off just 57 deliveries.

Her innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring 12 boundaries and two towering sixes. She anchored Sri Lanka's innings brilliantly, steering them to an imposing total of 150 for 7 after they were sent in to bat. She found valuable support from Vishmi Gunaratne, who contributed a composed 21, and Kavisha Dilhari, whose quickfire 13 added crucial runs in the death overs.

Chasing 151, Thailand found themselves under immense pressure from the very beginning.

The Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly their experienced spin attack, proved to be too hot to handle. Athapaththu herself led from the front, claiming the opening wicket of Nannapat Koncharoenkrai. However, it was the spin duo of Inoka Ranaweera and Kavisha Dilhari who truly dismantled the Thai batting line-up.

Left-arm spinner Ranaweera, with her deceptive variations, bowled a phenomenal spell, picking up 3 wickets for a mere 10 runs from her four overs.

Her ability to stifle the scoring rate while also taking crucial breakthroughs was pivotal. Complementing her perfectly, off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari continued her all-round brilliance, snaring 2 wickets for just 13 runs. Thailand's innings never gained momentum, eventually limping to 83 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Thailand captain Naruemol Chaiwai admitted her side's struggles, particularly with the bat.

"We need to improve our batting," she stated post-match, acknowledging the significant gap between the two teams' performances on the day. Despite some valiant efforts from Thailand's middle order, including a top score of 20 by Chanida Sutthiruang, they were unable to build any significant partnerships against Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling attack.

This dominant victory sees Sri Lanka begin their qualifier journey on a high note, underlining their credentials as strong contenders.

Their next challenge will be against Uganda, while Thailand will be looking to bounce back when they face Scotland. The tournament promises more thrilling encounters as teams vie for a spot in the main event.