Women's T20 World Cup: New Zealand and Sri Lanka keep semi-final hopes alive

New Zealand survive scare to eliminate Scotland

Defending champions New Zealand kept their Women's T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a six-wicket victory over Scotland in Bristol, eliminating the Scots from contention.

Scotland posted 131-7 after being sent in to bat, thanks largely to another impressive innings from Darcey Carter. The 21-year-old opener struck an unbeaten 72 from 52 balls, her second half-century of the tournament, while Sarah Bryce added 25. New Zealand's bowlers recovered well after Scotland's brisk start, with Melie Kerr taking 3-17 and Sophie Devine claiming 2-19 as the White Ferns restricted the scoring through the middle and late overs.

The chase began poorly for New Zealand, who slumped to 26-3 inside the powerplay after losing Kerr, Devine and Izzy Gaze. Kathryn Bryce took two wickets, while Rachel Slater removed Devine to give Scotland hope of an upset.

However, Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday steadied the innings with a match-winning 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sharp top-scored with a career-best 62 from 43 balls, while Halliday contributed an unbeaten 41 from 38 deliveries. Their stand guided New Zealand to victory with 10 balls remaining.

The win moved New Zealand's net run rate into positive territory and maintained their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. They must beat hosts England in their final group match and rely on other results going their way.

Sri Lanka crush Ireland as Chamari Athapaththu smashes record World Cup hundred

Chamari Athapaththu kept Sri Lanka's Women's T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a superb unbeaten century in a dominant nine-wicket victory over Ireland in Bristol on Tuesday.

After Sri Lanka restricted Ireland to 130/5, Athapaththu smashed 106 not out from 61 balls, striking 17 fours and two sixes as her side raced to 134/1 with 27 balls to spare. The innings was her first World Cup century, fourth in T20 internationals and the highest individual score of the 2026 tournament.

Ireland endured a difficult start, slipping to 19/3 before captain Gaby Lewis led the recovery. Lewis scored 59 from 50 balls and shared a 66-run partnership with Leah Paul (20), while Alice Tector added an unbeaten 28 late in the innings. Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling effort saw Mithali Ayodhya, Sugandika Kumari, Nilakshika Silva and Athapaththu claim a wicket each.

In reply, Athapaththu took control from the outset, sharing a 98-run opening stand with Imesha Dulani (20). Ireland managed only one breakthrough through Orla Prendergast as the Sri Lankan skipper dominated the chase, scoring 79 percent of her team's runs.

The victory moved Sri Lanka to four points and significantly improved their net run-rate, leaving them with a slim chance of reaching the semi-finals ahead of their final group match against Scotland.

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