Gaby Lewis' Century Guide Ireland to Victory Over Sri Lanka

Ireland secured a thrilling seven-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Dublin, thanks to Gaby Lewis' brilliant century and Orla Prendergast's all-round contribution, levelling the two-match series at 1-1.

Opting to bat first, Ireland lost Amy Hunter early in the power play, but Lewis anchored the innings, finding solid support in Prendergast. Together, they forged a 119-run partnership for the second wicket in just 80 balls. Lewis was the dominant scorer, contributing 78 off 49 balls, while Prendergast chipped in with 38 off 31.

Lewis reached her half-century in 40 balls, with both batters accelerating after the halfway point. Prendergast struck back-to-back boundaries off Achini Kulasuriya in the 12th over, followed by Lewis hitting two fours off Shashini Gimhani in the next. Although Prendergast couldn't find the boundary as frequently, Lewis ensured the scoreboard kept moving.

Lewis brought up her second T20I century in the 19th over, smashing Kanchana for a six and a four, reaching the milestone in 68 balls. Overcome with emotion, Lewis embraced her partner and raised her bat to acknowledge the crowd and her teammates. She continued her onslaught, hitting three fours off Kulasuriya in the final over before being run out on the last ball for 119 off 75 balls. Ireland posted 173 for 3, their sixth-highest total in T20Is, with Lewis striking 17 fours and two sixes in her knock.

In response, Sri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne early, but Harshitha Samarawickrama looked poised to replicate her first T20I heroics. She began with two fours in the opening over against Freya Sargent and later hit a six off Jane Maguire.

Samarawickrama received strong support from Kavisha Dilhari, as the pair added 72 runs off 49 balls for the fourth wicket. Just as Sri Lanka seemed to be in control, Maguire delivered a crucial blow by dismissing Samarawickrama for a well-made 65 off 44 balls.

Dilhari continued to find boundaries even as Sri Lanka lost wickets at the other end. With 22 needed off the last two overs and 16 off the final six balls, Dilhari struck a six to reach her fifty. However, with eight runs required from the last two deliveries, she couldn’t connect cleanly, allowing Ireland to hold on and level the series.