Sri Lanka beat Ireland to stay in semi-final huntImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Chamari Athapaththu plays a shot during her excellent innings in BristolByAlvin McCaigBBC Sport NI contributorPublished17 minutes agoWomen’s T20 World Cup, Group 2, Bristol Ireland 130-5 (20 overs): Lewis 59, Tector 28*; de Silva 1-12Sri Lanka 134-1 (15.3 overs): Athapaththu 106*, Dulani 20; Prendergast 1-22 Sri Lanka won by nine wicketsScorecard. Tables.
Chamari Athapaththu hit a superb unbeaten 106 as Sri Lanka cruised to a nine-wicket win against Ireland to keep their World Cup semi-final hopes alive.
Ireland were reduced to 18-3 in sun-drenched Bristol before skipper Gaby Lewis (59) and Leah Paul (20) put on a 66-run partnership to help their side to a total of 130-5.
Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu raced to her best World Cup score – and the highest so far in the tournament – from just 61 balls, as victory was secured on 134-1 with 4.3 overs to spare.
The Lions, who move up to four points, need to beat Scotland on Friday and hope results elsewhere go their way to secure a top-two spot in Group 2 and a place in the semi-finals.
Ireland have now lost all 21 of their World Cup games and the bottom side finish their campaign against West Indies on Saturday.
