Chamari Athapaththu produced a night to remember as Sri Lanka crushed Indonesia in their Women’s Asia Cup clash in Dubai on Wednesday, with the veteran all-rounder rewriting the record books with a stunning seven-wicket haul and a hat-trick.
Athapaththu was almost unplayable, ripping through the Indonesian batting line-up with figures of 3.3-0-5-7. Her spell combined control, aggression and remarkable efficiency, leaving Indonesia with no answers as Sri Lanka secured a commanding 75-run victory.
Athapaththu repeatedly breached Indonesia’s defence on her way to completing her five-wicket haul. She then went a step further, claiming three wickets in consecutive deliveries to become the first Sri Lanka Women’s cricketer to take a hat-trick in T20Is.
The performance was particularly significant for Athapaththu, one of the most recognisable names in women’s cricket. While she has built her reputation as a destructive opening batter and influential leader, her bowling took centre stage on this occasion and became the defining story of the match.
THE RECORDS ATHAPATHTHU CREATED
Athapaththu’s seven-wicket haul was not merely a personal milestone. It placed her performance among the greatest bowling spells in the history of women’s T20 internationals.
- 1 – Chamari Athapaththu claimed her maiden 5-wicket haul in her T20I career. Her previous best figures of 4-0-29-4 came against West Indies in Hambantota in 2024.
- 1– Chamari Athapaththu became the first Sri Lankan to take a T20I hat-trick in Women’s T20Is.
- 1– Chamari Athapaththu recorded the best bowling figures by a bowler from a full-member nation in Women’s T20Is.
- 3.3-0-5-7 – Chamari Athapaththu recorded the fifth-best bowling figures in Women’s T20Is. Brazil’s Laura Cardoso holds the record with figures of 3-2-4-9 against Lesotho earlier this year in April
- 3.3-0-5-7: Chamari Athapaththu recorded the best bowling figures ever recorded in the Women’s Asia Cup. The previous record was held by Thailand’s Wongpaka Liengprasert, who had figures of 4-0-12-5 against Sri Lanka in 2018 in Kuala Lumpur.
- 3.3-0-5-7: Chamari Athapaththu recorded the best figures by a Sri Lankan in all T20Is. He broke the record of Ajantha Mendis’ 4-2-8-6 against Zimbabwe in 2012.
SRI LANKA WRECK INDONESIA
The emphatic victory gave Sri Lanka a major boost in their campaign. After posting 124/7, they defended the total with remarkable ease, dismissing Indonesia for just 49 to complete the victory.
Batting first, Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble after being reduced to 62/6 in 12.3 overs. However, a gutsy 50 off 35 balls from Nilakshika Silva, who added 50 runs in partnership with Kawya Kavindi, helped Sri Lanka recover and cross the 120-run mark.
From there, the bowlers took charge and never allowed Indonesia back into the contest. Sugandika Kumari was highly economical, returning figures of 3-1-3-1, while Kawya Kavindi and Kavisha Dilhari also picked up a wicket each.
But there was no doubt about the star of the night.
Athapaththu’s seven wickets transformed what had been an ordinary batting display into a comprehensive Sri Lankan victory. Her spell not only secured the points but also created a slice of history, with the hat-trick adding another landmark to an already extraordinary career.
With the win, Sri Lanka strengthened their position at the top of the table with four points and a net run rate of +4.129. They will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh on September 6.
– Ends
