The 3rd match of the Pakistan Women’s Under-19s T20 Tri-Series in Faisalabad witnessed an absolute thriller between Bangladesh Women U19 and Sri Lanka Women U19.
Opting to construct their innings under challenging conditions, Bangladesh Women U19 got off to a shaky start. Opening batter Mymuna Nahar Shorna fell early for just 1 off 6 balls, caught by Sewmini off Chamodhi Herath’s bowling in the second over with the score at 5/1. Wicketkeeper-batter Ochena Jannat tried to steady the ship alongside Nishita Akter Nishi, building a cautious 22-run second-wicket partnership.
Jannat chipped in with 16 off 24 deliveries before being cleaned up by Aseni Thalagune at 27/2 in the 7th over. Sri Lankan spinner Pramudi Methsara immediately struck another blow, trapping Bibi Ayesha lbw for a duck to leave Bangladesh stuttering at 28/3. It was captain Sadia Islam who provided much-needed impetus to the innings. Joining Nishita Akter Nishi, the duo forged a crucial 56-run partnership for the fourth wicket, pulling their side back into the contest.
Islam played a fiery knock, smashing 39 off 22 balls, featuring 4 boundaries and 2 sixes, before Aseni Thalagune trapped her lbw in the 15th over at 84/4. Nishita Akter Nishi held her ground for a patient 26 off 35 balls, but her dismissal via run-out by Upeksha at 96/5 slowed down the scoring. Towards the tail end, Sadia Akter contributed a brisk 18 off 18 balls before falling to Herath at 109/6, while Farjana Easmin remained unbeaten on 6 alongside Sraboni Rani, who was bowled by Sewmini for 3 on the penultimate ball. A total of 10 extras helped Bangladesh Women U19 post 119/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Sri Lankan bowling attack delivered a disciplined performance to keep Bangladesh in check. Aseni Thalagune was the star of the show, delivering a remarkably economical spell of 2/12 in 4 overs. Chamodhi Herath was equally effective, picking up 2/20 in her 4-over quota. Danodya Sewmini (1/28 in 4 overs) and Pramudi Methsara (1/26 in 3 overs) chipped in with a wicket each, while captain Chamudi Praboda (0/19 in 4 overs) and Limansa Thilakarathna (0/8 in 1 over) kept things tight.
Chasing a target of 120, Sri Lanka Women U19 suffered an early blow when opener Nethmi Upeksha (4 off 10 balls) was caught by Nishita Akter Nishi off Farjana Easmin’s bowling in the 4th over with the scorecard reading 13/1. However, keeper-batter Sanjana Kavindi and Vimoksha Balasuriya anchored the chase masterfully. The pair put together a match-defining 62-run partnership for the second wicket. Balasuriya scored a gritty 21 off 26 balls before Nishita Akter Nishi broke the partnership by knocking over her stumps at 75/2 in the 13th over.
Kavindi continued her brilliant knock, top-scoring with 48 off 46 balls (including 4 fours and 2 sixes), before falling to Nishi as well, caught by Oddrita Nowshin at 82/3. The match took a chaotic turn as Bangladesh’s bowlers triggered a late collapse. Shashini Gimhani (8 off 10 balls) was bowled by Afrin Mim at 91/4, and Manudi Nanayakkara (11 off 9 balls) was run out by Sraboni Rani at 101/5. Pramudi Methsara added 9 off 11 balls before being run out by keeper Jannat at 118/6. Despite the tense final overs, Danodya Sewmini (10* off 7 balls) and Limansa Thilakarathna (2* off 1 ball) kept their cool.
Needing composure at the death, Sri Lanka managed to scamper home off the final ball of the 20th over to secure a thrilling 4-wicket victory, finishing on 120/6. Bangladesh’s bowlers fought valiantly to extend the match to the absolute limit. All-rounder Nishita Akter Nishi stood out with a fine spell of 2/26 in 4 overs, while Afrin Mim was exceptionally tight, conceding just 19 runs for her 1 wicket in 4 overs. Farjana Easmin backed them up well with 1/22 in 4 overs. Oddrita Nowshin (0/28 in 4 overs), Tithi Das (0/13 in 2 overs), and Sraboni Rani (0/11 in 2 overs) gave away very little, but the 7 extras conceded ultimately proved costly in such a tight finish.
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