Sri Lanka has won three matches in a single Women’s T20 World Cup campaign for the first time. | Photo Credit: AP

Sri Lanka kept its slim hopes of reaching the Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals for the first time alive with a dramatic three-wicket victory over Scotland at Old Trafford on Friday.

Chasing 152, Sri Lanka got home with two balls to spare, but the narrow win did little to boost its net run rate, leaving its qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

The match ended in heartbreaking fashion for Scotland. Medium-pacer Rachel Slater, defending seven runs in the final over, conceded singles off the first three deliveries before pulling up with a suspected knee injury and collapsing to the ground. She left the field in tears, forcing Priyanaz Chatterji to complete the over. Chatterji conceded a single before Sugandika Kumari struck the winning boundary.

Sri Lanka needed to chase down the target within 10.3 overs to significantly improve its net run rate. Instead, the late finish means West Indies can secure the second semifinal spot from the group with a convincing victory over winless Ireland on Saturday.

Scotland, playing only its second Women’s T20 World Cup, was aiming to finish fourth in the group and claim direct qualification for the 2028 edition in Pakistan.

After captain Kathryn Bryce departed with the score at 66 for 2 in the 10th over, Sarah Bryce anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 33 balls, including a boundary off the final delivery, guiding Scotland to 151 for 6.

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, appearing in her 10th Women’s T20 World Cup, set the tone with a blistering 33 off just 16 balls. However, after she fell at 57 for 2 in the sixth over, the chase lost momentum before Sri Lanka eventually reached 154 for 7.

Saturday’s fixtures see the Netherlands take on Pakistan, while already-qualified England faces defending champion New Zealand.

Published on Jun 27, 2026