Georgia Plimmer’s scintillating half-century propelled New Zealand to a resounding 46-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup encounter in Sharjah. Plimmer’s 53 off 44 deliveries, her second T20I half-century, laid the foundation for New Zealand’s second win in three matches.
Plimmer’s innings was a masterclass in adaptability and shot selection. She used her feet effectively, advancing down the pitch to dispatch deliveries down the ground and creating space to access the off side. Her four boundaries showcased her range of strokes, including a powerful drive over mid-off and a deft placement just short of mid-off that left Chamari Athapaththu stranded.
Plimmer’s performance was particularly impressive given the challenging conditions in Sharjah, where the low bounce and slow outfield have made it difficult for batters to score freely. However, Plimmer’s determination and skill allowed her to overcome these obstacles and play a match-winning knock.
Her innings was complemented by a 49-run opening stand with Suzie Bates and a 46-run partnership with Amelia Kerr, who also contributed with 2 for 13 with the ball. Sophie Devine sealed the victory with the only six of the match, muscling Sugandika Kumari over cow corner.
For Sri Lanka, Athapaththu finally showed glimpses of her class with a 41-ball 35, but her dismissal in the 14th over proved to be a turning point. Sri Lanka’s campaign had already been effectively over before this match, and their coach, Rumesh Ratnayake, acknowledged that the team had failed to meet expectations.
