Skipper Chamari Athapaththu hit a superb unbeaten 106 as Sri Lanka cruised to a nine-wicket win against Ireland to keep their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive.

Ireland were reduced to 18-3 in sun-drenched Bristol before skipper Gaby Lewis (59) and Leah Paul (20) put on a 66-run partnership to help their side to a total of 130-5.

Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu raced to her best World Cup score - and the highest so far in the tournament - from just 61 balls, as victory was secured on 134-1 with 4.3 overs to spare.

The Lions, who move up to four points, need to beat Scotland on Friday and hope results elsewhere go their way to secure a top-two spot in Group 2 and a place in the semi-finals.

Ireland have now lost all 21 of their World Cup games and the bottom side finish their campaign against West Indies on Saturday.

Sri Lanka won the toss and their decision to bowl first looked a good one when they took two wickets with just three runs on the board.

Amy Hunter was run out before Orla Prendergast was stumped and Rebecca Stokell was next to go before Lewis and Paul rescued the innings.

Lewis starred for Ireland as she made a second straight half-century but Sri Lanka's attack restricted boundaries to leave their team needing 131 for victory.

It was easily achieved thanks to a memorable knock from Athapaththu, who smashed two maximums to go along with 17 boundaries.

Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani (20) put on an opening stand of 98 as Sri Lanka not only took the two points but also boosted their net run-rate.