Sri Lanka Women Under-19s clinched a thrilling 6-wicket victory over Bangladesh Women Under-19s in the 5th match of the Pakistan Women’s Under-19s T20 Tri-Series at Faisalabad. Driven by an extraordinary unbeaten knock from opener Sanjana Kavindi, the Sri Lankan youngsters successfully overhauled Bangladesh’s total with five balls to spare.
The match flow opened with Bangladesh taking the crease after opting to bat, but their innings got off to a shaky start. Opener Mymuna Naher managed just a single run off 3 balls before being caught by Pramudi Methsara off the bowling of Chamodhi Herath in the second over, leaving Bangladesh at 12/1. Wicketkeeper-batter Achena Jannat then stepped up, carrying the early mantle for her side. She built a brisk 32-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Nishita Akter Nishi (15 off 15 balls), bringing the team to 44 runs in 5.2 overs before Danodya Sewmini got the breakthrough by dismissing Nishi.
Shirina Khatun joined Jannat in the middle, and the duo played through the crucial middle overs to steady the ship. Together, they strung a 36-run stand for the third wicket, taking the team to 80/3. However, Nethmi Upeksha broke the momentum by getting Khatun stumped by Sanjana Kavindi for 16 off 16 balls. Jannat reached a brilliant half-century off 36 balls with seven boundaries, but was bowled shortly after by Sri Lankan skipper Chamudi Praboda at 96/4. Shortly after, captain Sadia Islam was cleaned up by Praboda for 11 runs (11 balls, 1 six), leaving Bangladesh at 97/5.
The innings unravelled rapidly in the death overs due to disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Farjana Easmin was run out by Sewmini for 1 after a brief miscommunication, putting the scoreboard at 103/6. Sadia Akter provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 16 off 11 balls (including 1 six). Down the order, Kumari Srabonirani scored 5 off 19 before falling to Herath, Tithi Das was run out for a duck by Sewmini, and Oddrita Nowshin remained not out on 1.
Bangladesh were restricted to 126/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Sri Lanka’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, led by captain Chamudi Praboda (2/18 in 4 overs) and Chamodhi Herath (2/14 in 3 overs). Nethmi Upeksha (1/18) and Danodya Sewmini (1/31) grabbed a wicket apiece, while Pramudi Methsara (0/18) and Aseni Thalagune (0/25) kept the pressure on in their respective spells.
Chasing a target of 127, Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when Farjana Easmin clean-bowled opener Vimoksha Balasuriya for a 5-ball duck with the score at 14/1 in 2.2 overs. However, keeper-batter Sanjana Kavindi quickly dominated the contest. Kavindi partnered with Nethmi Upeksha (12 off 19) to add 42 runs for the second wicket, driving Sri Lanka to 56/1 before Tithi Das turned the game briefly on its head. Das trapped Upeksha LBW and then removed Limansa Thilakarathna for a 2-ball duck in the space of three balls, reducing Sri Lanka to 56/3.
Undeterred by the double strike, Kavindi joined forces with all-rounder Danodya Sewmini to construct a match-defining 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Sewmini played a anchor role with 19 off 27 balls, Kavindi unleashed an array of aggressive shots. Afrin Mim finally dismissed Sewmini in the 18th over with the score at 116/4, but the damage was already done. Kavindi carried her bat in a masterclass performance, remaining unbeaten on 90 off 59 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes, alongside Shashini Gimhani (1 not out off 3 balls) to see Sri Lanka home to 128/4 in 19.1 overs.
For Bangladesh, Tithi Das was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/21 in her 4 overs. Farjana Easmin (1/15) and Afrin Mim (1/25) bowled economical 4-over spells and claimed a wicket each, while Nishita Akter Nishi (0/30), Kumari Srabonirani (0/15), and Oddrita Nowshin (0/18) were unable to break through. The 6-wicket win caps off a superb team chase anchored by Kavindi’s heroic knock.
