ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: Australia Women Reach Semi-Final

On the final day of the Group A of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Sri Lanka Women ended their journey with their first victory of this tournament by beating Bangladesh Women while Australia Women fixed their place in the semi-final after winning the thriller and eliminating New Zealand Women from this tournament.

Sri Lanka Women vs Bangladesh Women

After Bangladesh Women decided to bat first, they were restricted to 91/8 (20 overs). In reply, Sri Lanka Women chased down that target in 15.3 overs after losing only one wicket (92/1).

In Bangladesh Women innings, while the wicketkeeper-batter Nigar Sultana scored 39 runs, Sanjida Islam and Fargana Hoque were the only other batters to reach the double-digit mark in that innings as both scored 13 runs each.

Among the Sri Lanka Women bowlers, Shashikala Siriwardene (4/16) took four wickets, and Achini Kulasuriya (2/19) bagged two wickets.

In reply, Hasini Perera and Chamari Atapattu provided the 51 runs partnership for the opening wicket. After captain Atapattu lost her wicket on 30 runs, opener Perera (39*) and Anushka Sanjeewani (16*) comfortably guided the team to the easy victory. While it was the first victory for Sri Lanka Women in this tournament, Bangladesh Women finished this edition without winning a match.

Australia Women vs New Zealand Women

The winner between Australia Women and New Zealand Women would qualify for the last position of the semi-finals, so it was the virtual quarter-final. While Australia Women scored 155/5 (20 overs) in the first innings after losing the toss, New Zealand Women managed to score 151/7 (20 overs) as the defending champions and the hosts Australia Women won the match by four runs.

While most of the other batters made low but crucial contributions for Australia Women, opener Beth Mooney scored 60 runs off 50 balls (6 fours and 2 sixes).

Among the New Zealand Women bowlers, only Anna Peterson (2/31) managed to pick up more than one wicket.

Chasing down that target, the White Ferns’ opener and captain Sophie Devine scored 31 runs while Maddy Green scored 28 runs.

At the late moment, Katey Martin played the smashing knock of 37 not out off just 18 balls (4 fours and only six) but didn’t get enough support from the other lower-order batters. Though Martin hit a four and a sixer on the final two balls respectively, they remained four runs behind from their oppositions’ total.

In this group, India Women became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of this tournament.

Final points table of Group A