Cricket

Hosts Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have secured their spots in the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament after dominant victories over Thailand and Malaysia, respectively.In the first match of the day, Bangladesh showcased their batting prowess with opener Murshida Khatun leading the charge with a blistering 80 off 59 deliveries. Skipper Nigar Sultana also contributed a valuable 62 off 37 balls, helping Bangladesh post a formidable total of 191 for 2.Malaysia's chase faltered as they were restricted to a mere 77 for 8 in 20 overs, handing Bangladesh a convincing victory.In the second match, Sri Lanka proved equally dominant, dismissing Thailand for a paltry 93 for 7. Wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored for Thailand with a 47 off 53 balls.Sri Lanka's chase was a breeze, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu (49 not out) and Vishmi Gunaratne (39) guiding their team to a comfortable 10-wicket victory.In the semifinals, defending champions India will face Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan on Friday.

Thailand's captain, Thipatcha Putthawong, made a decisive call at the toss, opting to bat first against Sri Lanka in the crucial final group match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024. The Thai team remained unchanged from their previous encounter with Bangladesh, aiming for a "par score" and emphasizing partnerships.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, made four alterations to their lineup, bringing back experienced players like Hasini Perera and Udeshika Prabodhani. Captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her desire to bat but acknowledged the opportunity to bowl first, citing their strong bowling unit.With Bangladesh already securing a semi-final berth, Sri Lanka stood at the top of Group B with two wins. A victory would guarantee their place in the final four, while even a narrow loss could suffice. Thailand, however, needed a substantial win to overtake Sri Lanka's net run rate.Sri Lanka had dominated their previous matches, crushing Bangladesh by seven wickets and Malaysia by 144 runs. Thailand, meanwhile, had a mixed record, winning against Malaysia but losing to Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh showcased their dominance in the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament on Monday, securing emphatic victories over Malaysia and Thailand respectively.Sri Lanka, the host nation, unleashed a batting masterclass against Malaysia. Chamari Athapaththu led the charge with an extraordinary 119 not out off 69 deliveries, peppered with 14 boundaries and seven towering sixes. Her innings propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 184 for 4. Harshitha Madavi and Anushka Sanjeewani provided valuable support with contributions of 26 and 31 runs.Malaysia's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Sri Lanka's bowling attack. Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, and Kavisha Dilhari combined to dismantle the Malaysian innings, claiming three, two, and two wickets respectively. Malaysia was bundled out for a mere 40 runs in just 19.5 overs, with only Elsa Hunter reaching double figures.In the second match of the day, Bangladesh outplayed Thailand by seven wickets. Thailand's batting struggled to gain momentum, managing only 96 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Nattaya Boochatham's 40 off 41 balls was the lone bright spot for Thailand.Bangladesh's bowlers were in top form, with Rabeya Khan leading the charge with four wickets for 14 runs. Sabikun Nahar and Ritu Moni chipped in with two wickets each.Chasing a modest target of 97, Bangladesh cruised to victory in 17.3 overs. Murshida Khatun anchored the innings with a patient 50 off 55 balls. Dilara Akter and Ishma Tanjim provided support with contributions of 17 and 16 runs respectively.With these victories, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have emerged as the frontrunners in Group B, each with four points. They are well-positioned to secure semifinal berths as the tournament progresses.