Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu remains hopeful that her side can still qualify for the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. However, she knows that her team must win all three of their remaining matches against South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to have any chance of reaching the knockout stage.

Sri Lanka faces a major challenge after their match against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain on Tuesday. They now have only two points from their first four matches of the tournament.

This was Sri Lanka’s second weather-related abandonment, leaving them with just two points. Their earlier fixture against Australia was also washed out without a single ball being bowled at the same venue, the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, ten days earlier.

In the New Zealand match, Sri Lanka posted an impressive 258 for 6 wickets in 50 overs, their highest total at this venue in the World Cup. The innings was powered by Nilakshika Silva’s explosive 26-ball half-century, the fastest of the tournament. She was well supported by skipper Chamari Athapaththu (53), Vishmi Gunaratne (42), and Hasini Perera (44).

However, persistent rain after Sri Lanka’s innings forced officials to call off play at 9.15 p.m., with both teams sharing a point. Captains Chamari Athapaththu and Sophie Devine voiced their frustration over yet another no-result, which denied both sides a fair chance at a decisive outcome.

“The game against South Africa is very crucial for us because we need to win the next three matches,” said skipper Athapaththu. “We are focused on the next game, and I know we have to improve in certain areas. I just hope we can finally play a full match without any rain.”

Athapaththu said the team would take plenty of confidence from their batting performance against the White Ferns, particularly from Nilakshika Silva’s unbeaten 55 and Vishmi Gunaratne’s return to form at the top of the order.

“Vishmi is our number one opener, but over the last six months she struggled in that position, which is why we moved her down the order,” Athapaththu explained. “We spoke again and decided to move her back to her regular spot, and it worked well. The top three clicked, and Nilakshika’s late acceleration gave us real momentum.”

Chamari praises Nilakshika’s form.

“Nilakshika is one of our most important and experienced players. Over the past year, she has been in excellent form for us, and once again she proved her value with the fastest half-century of this World Cup. Her late hitting helped us add 80 runs in the final ten overs,” said Athapaththu.

“We played good cricket, and I’m happy with our batting performance. The score was a good one to defend, but I feel we missed another 20 or 25 runs. We can’t control the weather. We just have to focus on the next three games,” said skipper Athapaththu.

Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine expressed disappointment at the weather’s intervention.

“It’s a shame the weather had to play its part. It was shaping up to be a really good chase, but that’s how it goes,” said Devine. “We have plenty of variety in our attack, and I just try to fit in where I can. I thought our bowlers did well on that surface.”

The result meant New Zealand missed the chance to draw level with India in fourth place on the points table and remained fifth. They must now win all three of their remaining matches to stay in contention for the semi-finals.

“It’s another exciting opportunity for us, and we just hope we can finally get a full game of cricket,” Devine added.