Vizianagaram: In a pulsating encounter, Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling three-wicket victory over India in the first of the three-match Twenty20 series at the Dr P.V.G. Raju Andhra Cricket Sports Complex here on Saturday.
Chasing 148 on a batting-friendly wicket, the visitors overhauled the target with just one ball remaining, thanks in large part to a superb 52 off 39 deliveries by skipper Shashikala Siri-wardena.
This is the first win on the tour for the Sri Lankans, who were whitewashed 0-3 in the ODI series.
Lanka lost their first three wickets with 41 on the board in 5.3 overs, thanks to fiery spells by S.M. Dabir (2 for 32) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3 for 24).
Shashikala launched a counter-attack, hitting five boundaries and one six to first put her team back on track and later, take her side to 139 in 18.4 overs before she got out.
Earlier, put in to bat, India began their innings in right earnest with a superb opening partnership of 71 runs.
Captain Mithali Raj scored 67 runs off 47 balls, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes while Harman-preet Kaur made an unbeaten 40 off 29 to help India to 147 for 3.
BRIEF?SCORES: India 147/3 in 20 overs (Mithali Raj 67, Harmanpreet Kaur 40 n.o., Oshadi Ranasinghe 2/27) lost to Sri Lanka 148/7 in 19.5 overs (Shashikala Siriwardena 52, C. Atapattu 21, Rajeswari Gayakwad 3/24, S.M. Dabir 2/23, Ekta Bisht 2/37).
