Ireland women lose to Sri Lanka in a thrilling finish

Sri Lanka won its second match in the tournament, when it beat Ireland by two wickets and thus the side has moved up one place in the rankings from eighth to seventh while Ireland remained in ninth place in the world rankings.

Having defeated Netherlands in its second match of the tournament and also defeated Pakistan the team was looking for a strong finish in Potchefstroom. Dilani Manodara's side did not having an easy task when facing a strong Irish batting line-up, with the side posting a competitive score of 211-8 in its 50 overs after it had won the toss.

Clare Shillington was the star batter as she made a score of 78 before she was caught out by Polgampola Kumarihambi off Hiruka Fernando. Melissa Scott-Hayward (38) and Isobel Joyce (31) both kept the runs flowing amidst falling wickets and put their team in a position to win if the bowlers did right by them.

Sri Lanka replied with the early loss of Kumarihambi, who was bowled by Louise McCarthy in the fourth over, followed by a well batted half-century by Sajeewani Galagedera.

It was the 74-run innings by Sandamali Dolawatta, including six boundaries, that tipped the scales in the Sri Lankans' favour, allowing it to get too close to the target and the ultimate victory.