Sri Lanka Women, after being asked to bat by New Zealand Women in the 15th match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, scored a fighting 175/2 in 39.1 overs thanks to significant contributions from their top order. Captain Chamari Athapaththu laid the base for the innings with a steady 53 off 72 balls, seven boundaries included, while Vishmi Gunaratne gave the team a solid platform with 42 off 83 balls. The Athapaththu-Gunaratne partnership came to 101 runs before Sophie Devine opened up, getting the skipper caught by Maddy Green. Gunaratne, poised for a half-century, was subsequently got out by a stunning ball from Rosemary Mair, who knocked at a crucial juncture to change momentum ever so slightly in New Zealand's direction. Mair floated one in the 28.4th over to get rid of Gunaratne, well-set at 42. Mair bowled a length ball at 109.9 kph outside off stump, which half-seamed away from Gunaratne, leaving him behind in pace. The Sri Lankan batswoman, with feet rooted to the ground, tried a defensive cut but was thoroughly outpaced, as the ball thudded into the top of off stump. The wicket was a witness to the accuracy and capability of Mair in producing movement at scorching speeds, marking an end to a threatening stand and re-igniting New Zealand's bowling firepower. In spite of the wicket, Sri Lanka continued their run-scoring momentum, with Hasini Perera (38* off 53) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26* off 27) taking the team to 178/2 just before the beginning of last 10 overs. Watch here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by ICC (@icc) Read also: Watch: KL Rahul Grunts in Pain After Groin Blow on Day 4 of 2nd Test vs WI Sri Lanka Batting Lineup Sets Up Competitive Total Sri Lanka opting to bat first, according to captain Athapaththu, was due to the challenge of running in the earlier games and good batting conditions. The Powerplay saw 52 runs without any loss, making a solid platform. Athapaththu got to her fifty off 67 deliveries, and the extras (total of 18, of which 13 were wides) also supported the run rate. While New Zealand bowlers, especially Amelia Kerr (8-0-30-0) and Sophie Devine (5-1-17-1), kept tight lines, the failure to pick up wickets in the middle overs enabled Sri Lanka to settle. Mair's lone wicket was achieved at an economy of 5.03, but the entire bowling effort was controlled. With Perera and Samarawickrama being left unbeaten, Sri Lanka placed themselves in a good position to compile a difficult total that could seal the fate of the match on the spin-friendly Colombo pitch.