Bangladesh secured a hard-fought and dramatic victory over Sri Lanka in Rajshahi, chasing down 206 in 48.3 overs, although a late collapse nearly turned a comfortable pursuit into a tense finish. The chase was anchored by a composed 86 from Sharmin Akhter Supta, whose innings steadied the side after an early setback and laid the foundation for victory before a sudden flurry of wickets created late anxiety.
Sri Lanka, after electing to bat first, made a steady and disciplined start, scoring 44 runs in the opening powerplay without losing a wicket. The opening pair of Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani added 50 runs for the first wicket, providing a solid platform. Dulani went on to play a key role in the innings, registering a patient 50 off 70 balls with six boundaries.
She was well supported by Hanisma Karunaratne, who also compiled a fluent half-century as the pair guided Sri Lanka through the middle overs and pushed the total beyond 150. Despite their solid buildup, Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened their grip in the final overs, picking up regular wickets and restricting Sri Lanka to 205 for nine — a competitive but chaseable total.
Bangladesh’s reply began on a shaky note as they lost three wickets inside the powerplay to slump to 34 for three, putting immediate pressure on the middle order. In response, Sharmin Akhter Supta took control of the chase with a calm and measured approach.
She first rebuilt the innings alongside Sobhana Mostary, with the pair putting together a crucial 50-run stand to stabilize the situation. Mostary contributed a fluent 41 before being forced to retire hurt, but by then Bangladesh had regained some control. Supta continued to anchor the innings, bringing up her half-century off 64 deliveries with a mix of controlled aggression and smart strike rotation.
She then found support in Shorna Akter, who added a composed 35 and played a key role in keeping the scoreboard moving. Their partnership further consolidated Bangladesh’s position, bringing the target within reach and putting the hosts firmly in control.
With Bangladesh at 199 for three in the 45th over, the match appeared all but sealed. However, Supta’s dismissal triggered an unexpected collapse, as Bangladesh lost four wickets for just one run in the space of 10 deliveries, suddenly shifting the momentum and raising Sri Lanka’s hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Speaking after the match, Shorna Akter reflected on the late wobble, saying, “It would have been better if me, Supta apu, had finished the game.”
“We always want our middle order to finish the job, but these things are part of the game. The situation could have been different if we had stayed till the end,” she added. Despite the sudden collapse, Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun kept their composure in the closing moments, guiding Bangladesh to victory with nine balls to spare.
Shorna also praised Supta’s innings, calling it “brilliant” and acknowledging her role in anchoring the chase under pressure. She further expressed satisfaction with the Rajshahi venue, which hosted its first international match successfully.
The victory holds added significance for Bangladesh, who had previously struggled against Sri Lanka in Women’s ODIs, losing three of their five encounters. It also offered a measure of redemption following their narrow seven-run defeat to the same opponents in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai.
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