Sri Lanka's Nilakshika Silva Smashes Unbeaten 55 from 28 Balls in Abandoned Game Against New Zealand

Strategic Insights -

The Sri Lanka women's cricket team posted 258 for six in their 50 overs, with Nilakshika Silva scoring the fastest W-ODI fifty for her country. The match against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain, leaving both teams with two points from their opening four games in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nilakshika Silva's unbeaten 55 from 28 balls is the fastest W-ODI fifty for Sri Lanka.
  • Chamari Athapaththu scored 53 runs before being caught in the deep by Maddy Green.
  • Vishmi Gunarathne contributed 42 runs before being clean bowled by Rosemary Mair.
  • Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera added 26 and 44 runs, respectively, before falling to Bree Illing.
  • Sophie Devine was the pick of the New Zealand attack with three wickets for 54 runs.
  • Devine expressed frustration at the weather denying her team a chance to chase their target.

Statistics:

  • Nilakshika Silva's undefeated 55 from 28 balls is the fastest W-ODI fifty in Sri Lanka's history.
  • Sri Lanka's total of 258 for six in 50 overs is their second-highest in ICC Women's Cricket World Cups.
  • Sophie Devine took three wickets for 54 runs, including the breakthrough of Chamari Athapaththu.
  • Bree Illing took two wickets for 39 runs, including the dismissals of Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera.
  • The match was abandoned due to rain after 20 overs, denying spectators an intriguing run chase.

Sources:

  • Olympics.com, October 14, 2025, "NZ-W vs SL-W, Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, brief scores"