Chamari Athapaththu delivered one of the tournament's standout innings, blasting an unbeaten 106 off 61 balls to steer Sri Lanka to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Ireland in Match 20 of the Women's T20 World Cup at the County Ground, Bristol, on 23 June. Chasing 131, Sri Lanka cantered home at 134/1 in 15.3 overs, finishing the job with 27 balls to spare.

Athapaththu's Century — The Innings in Detail

Sri Lanka started steadily, posting just six runs from the opening over, before Athapaththu shifted into a higher gear in the second, signalling her intent with a boundary and nine runs off the over. She went after Arlene Kelly in the third, striking back-to-back fours to put immediate pressure on the Irish attack, and the visitors raced to 26/0 after three overs.

The 36-year-old left-hander never allowed Ireland to settle during the Power-play, lacing five more boundaries across the next two overs. At the other end, opener Imesha Dulani initially played a measured support role before joining the boundary-hitting in the final Power-play over. Sri Lanka reached 55/0 after six overs, already well inside the target's reach.

Athapaththu brought up a scintillating half-century off 30 deliveries in the seventh over, cracking another four off spinner Cara Murray. She then launched Murray for a massive 81-metre six in the ninth — the innings' first maximum — and Sri Lanka surged to 86/0 at the halfway mark.

Ireland's only breakthrough came in the 12th over, when Orla Prendergast bowled Dulani for 20 off 27 balls, ending a 101-run opening partnership. Athapaththu responded immediately, hitting a four and a six in the next over to keep Sri Lanka well ahead of the rate.

The century arrived in the 15th over — a single completing the landmark off just 59 deliveries — drawing applause from around the ground. She finished unbeaten on 106, her innings laced with 17 fours and two sixes. It is her fourth T20 International century, cementing her status as one of women's cricket's most destructive openers. Harshitha Samarawickrama was at the crease as Sri Lanka sealed the win.

Ireland's Batting Collapse and Lewis's Fightback

Ireland's innings was built on shaky foundations. Asked to bat first, they lost three wickets inside the Power-play to slump to 30/3. Amy Hunter was run out in the opening over, while Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell also fell cheaply.

Ireland captain Gaby Lewis steadied the ship with a composed knock, sharing a crucial 66-run partnership with Leah Paul, who contributed 20. Lewis brought up her second successive fifty — this one off 40 balls — before being dismissed for 59 in the 19th over by Athapaththu. Alice Tector added an unbeaten 28 to help Ireland reach a total of 130/5 in 20 overs, a score that ultimately proved well short.

Sri Lanka's Bowling — A Shared Effort

Sri Lanka's bowlers had earlier done their job efficiently. Mithali Ayodhya, Sugandika Kumari, Nilakshika Silva, and Athapaththu herself each claimed one wicket to restrict Ireland to a below-par total. Nilakshika was the most economical, conceding just 12 runs from her spell.

What This Win Means for Sri Lanka

This is a statement victory for Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 World Cup. A nine-wicket win — and one completed with such authority — lifts both their net run rate and their confidence heading into the knockout stages. Athapaththu's fourth T20I century underlines why she remains the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's batting, and her ability to perform in knockout-pressure situations makes her one of the most dangerous players left in the tournament. Ireland, despite Lewis's fighting half-century, will need to regroup quickly if they are to stay alive in the competition.

Brief Scores: Ireland 130/5 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 59, Alice Tector 28*; Nilakshika Silva 1-12, Mithali Ayodhya 1-18) lost to Sri Lanka 134/1 in 15.3 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 106*, Imesha Dulani 20; Orla Prendergast 1-22) by nine wickets.