Under Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka is still rising and making history against South Africa

On Wednesday, April 3, at Buffalo Park in East London, Sri Lankan women made history by defeating South Africa by four wickets in the third Twenty20 International to win the three-match series 2-1.
The triumphant series for Sri Lanka is their first-ever in any format versus South Africa, and it was made possible by a collective effort.

With the game and series on the line, Sri Lanka had to chase down 156 to win, but they had a rough start as opener Vishmi Gunaratne (one run off three balls) fell cheaply in the second over.

The responsibility then rested with Chamari Athapaththu, who combined with Harshitha Samarawickrama to put up a 97-run partnership for the second wicket.

Of the two hitters, Chamari was the most explosive, hitting 73 off only 46 balls to retake the lead for Sri Lanka. The southpaw scored 73 runs off of 46 balls, hitting seven fours and five sixes. She found boundaries with ease.

Her strike rate of 158.69 helped Sri Lanka limit the amount they were asked to pay. Harshitha also benefited from Chamari’s scoring pace.

Harshitha scored a match-winning half-century by taking her time to get her eyes in. After Chamari was dismissed in the 13th over, the visitors lost four more wickets, but Harshitha’s well-executed blow enabled them to record their best run chase in T20I history.

Harshitha scored 54 from 43 balls while staying undefeated. Sugandika Kumari, a left-arm orthodox bowler, spearheaded the early attack with the ball in hand and claimed a three-for to prevent South Africa from posting a huge score.

While South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, earned Player of the Series after amassing 158 runs, Chamari was named Player of the Match (POTM) for her magnificent knock.