Chamari Atapattu claims world record with 7 wickets for 5 runs

SriLanka captain Chamari Atapattu produced a record-breaking bowling performance, taking seven wickets for just five runs against Indonesia in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai on Wednesday (September 2).

The 36-year-old all-rounder bowled 3.3 overs and became the first woman from an ICC Full Member nation to take seven wickets in a single T20 international.

She is also only the sixth bowler overall in women’s T20 cricket to achieve the feat.

Atapattu’s figures are the best in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing Thailand’s Nattakan Chantam, who took five wickets for 12 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2018 edition.

Her spell helped Sri Lanka beat Indonesia by 75 runs. Sri Lanka posted 124-7 after batting first, with Nilakshi de Silva top-scoring with 50 off 35 balls. Atapattu made only nine off 13 deliveries with the bat.

Indonesia were bowled out for 49, with Atapattu beginning her wicket-taking spree in the fourth over. She completed her seven-wicket haul with three wickets in three consecutive deliveries to claim a hat-trick.

The victory strengthened Sri Lanka’s position in the race for the semi-finals. They will face Bangladesh in their next match on Sunday.