Sri Lanka Women defeated Ireland Women by 14 runs in a World T20 group phase clash at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday.Ireland managed only 115 in their allotted 20 overs after being set a target of 130.Their chase got off to a poor start when Clare Shillington (1) was bowled by Sugandaki Kumari (3/24) in the second over and never really got going with first down batswoman Cath Dalton (5) departing in the fourth over with the score at 18/2.Isobel Joyce (24), together with Cecila Joyce (29) and later with Laura Delany (29) restored the innings somewhat and gave them a chance to chase down the target.
But Isobel was run out in the 16th over, with the score at 87/4, ruining their chances with the chase falling apart under pressure with wickets falling regularly.Earlier, Sri Lanka got a positive start to their innings with Chamari Atapattu (34) and Yasoda Mendis (9) posting 45 in 5.2 overs.Mendis's dismissal by Ciara Metcalfe (4/15) triggered a collapse, reducing them to 59/5 inside 10 overs.But Prasadani Weerakkody's (32) contribution proved crucial and she together with Eshani Lokusuriyage (35) helped Sri Lanka to 129/7.