The first ODI between Bangladesh Women and Sri Lanka Women marks the beginning of a crucial three-match series in the ICC Women’s Championship, where every result plays a key role in the race to the Women’s World Cup. Sri Lanka arrives with stronger recent form, but Bangladesh, coming off a string of defeats in ODI’s but a confident campaign now in the ICC T20 World Cup qualifier in Nepal, will be eager to reset in familiar conditions. With limited matches in the series, a positive start could significantly shape both momentum and standings.
Bangladesh will look to make full use of home advantage, especially on surfaces that traditionally assist spin and keep scores in range. Despite Sri Lanka winning three of the last four meetings including a narrow 7-run victory in October 2025 and a 58-run win in May 2023—Bangladesh will take confidence from playing at home, where conditions could help neutralize that gap. With two of those games ending without a result, the contest remains finely poised, setting up an intriguing start to the series.
Squads:
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team
Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter, Fargana Haque, Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Sharmin Akter, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sarmin Sultana, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Juairiya Ferdous
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team
Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu(C), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera, Malki Madara, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Tiumi Wathsala, Kawya Kavindi, Chethana Vimukthi, Nimesha Nadushani
Players to watch out:
Nigar Sultana
Sultana has played 65 ODIs, scoring 1474 runs at an average of 27.29, including 8 fifties, which reflects her role as a stabilizer rather than an aggressive scorer. She is often the backbone in low-scoring games like her 77 off 98 balls vs Sri Lanka in the 2025 World Cup, where she anchored the chase under pressure. In ODIs, her value lies in batting long innings and controlling collapses, especially on slow pitches where 40-60 runs can be match-defining.
Rabeya Khan
Rabeya picked up 3/29 in 10 overs (econ 2.9) vs Pakistan and 2/39 vs Sri Lanka in the World Cup, consistently delivering breakthroughs while maintaining a tight economy. She thrives in spin-friendly conditions, often bowling in middle overs where she can both contain and take wickets. The 21-year-old has 33 wickets in 31 ODI matches and can bat lower down the order as well.
Chamari Athapaththu
The captain, with over 4,000 ODI runs and the ability to produce big scores, including one of the highest individual ODI knocks (195*). She is equally effective with the ball, as seen in her 4/42 vs Bangladesh in the 2025 World Cup, where she almost single-handedly changed the game. Her dual ability to score quickly and pick wickets makes her one of the most complete ODI all-rounders in the game.
Kavisha Dilhari
Kavisha Dilhari has played 41 ODIs, scoring 793 runs at an average of 25.58 and taking 33 wickets with a bowling average of 36.96, highlighting her all-round contribution. While she may not always produce big individual performances, her balance contributing 20–40 runs and a wicket or two makes her extremely valuable in ODIs, especially in conditions where all-rounders often decide matches.
Pitch:
The pitch at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium is typically sluggish and dry, strongly favoring bowlers, especially spinners who are expected to control the game through the middle overs. Batting can be challenging due to the slow nature of the surface, where the ball tends to grip and turn, making stroke play difficult. While pacers may get some early movement, spin will dominate overall, and with average scores around 200-220.
Weather:
The weather in Rajshahi is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures around 35°C, which could test player endurance, especially in a 50-over game. There is minimal chance of rain, so a full match is likely, but the dew factor in the second innings could play a key role, making the ball skid onto the bat and slightly easing batting conditions under lights.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Nigar Sultana, Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Fargana Hoque, Nilakshika Silva, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Rabeya Khan
Match Details:
Date – April 20, 2026
Time – 9:00 AM IST
Venue – Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium, Rajshahi
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on Fancode app and website.
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