Athapaththu powers Sri Lanka past UAE

Sri Lanka made a flying start to their Women's Asia Cup defence on Saturday, crushing hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine wickets after chasing down their modest target of 80 in just 7.5 overs.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu led the charge with an unbeaten 48 from 25 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, as Sri Lanka raced to 80 for one and finished with 73 balls to spare.

The victory gave Sri Lanka two points in Group B and underlined their dominance after they restricted UAE to 79 all out in 19.5 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Athapaththu was in devastating form, striking at 192, and shared a rapid 57-run opening partnership with Imesha Dulani.

Dulani contributed 25 from 18 balls, hitting five fours, before being run out in the sixth over. Athapaththu continued the assault alongside Sanjana Kavindi, who finished unbeaten on five.

Sri Lanka's bowlers had earlier kept UAE under relentless pressure after they elected to field.

Chethana Vimukthi, making her T20I debut, claimed three wickets for 16 runs from four overs and was named Player of the Match. Mithali Ayodhya also took three for 14 from 3.5 overs, while Sugandika Kumari returned two for 18.

UAE struggled to build partnerships after losing Theertha Satish for a duck in the first over. Captain Esha Oza top-scored with 18 from 24 balls while Samaira Dharnidharka made 17 and Rinitha Rajith added 15.

The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals and never managed to establish momentum, reaching only 22 for two in the power-play and 50 for five after 13.4 overs.

Sri Lanka's disciplined attack ensured UAE were bowled out with one ball of their allotted 20 overs remaining.

In reply, Sri Lanka exploded out of the blocks, reaching 50 in only 5.3 overs. Dulani's aggressive start and Athapaththu's powerful strokeplay left UAE with little chance of defending the total.