Top 3 Sri Lanka Women Players to Watch vs Bangladesh in 2nd ODI

As the ODI series between Bangladesh Women and Sri Lanka Women moves into its crucial second game, the momentum, pressure, and individual brilliance from the opening encounter have already set the tone for a compelling contest. The three-match series, part of Sri Lanka’s 2026 tour of Bangladesh, began with a dramatic first ODI that saw Bangladesh clinch a historic three-wicket victory, chasing down 206 in a tense finish.

That opening match was a rollercoaster. Sri Lanka, after winning the toss, built a promising foundation with a 68-run opening stand, showing early dominance with controlled strokeplay and solid running between the wickets. However, despite reaching a strong platform of 160/4, they lost momentum in the final overs and finished on 205/9. Bangladesh’s chase wasn’t straightforward either, as they lost four wickets for one run in the dying minutes but eventually crossed the line with 9 balls to spare.

Imesha Dulani

One of the standout performers was Imesha Dulani, who composed 52 off 77 balls and anchored the innings during a crucial phase. What made Dulani’s knock impressive was her temperament; she absorbed pressure after early wickets and stitched a vital partnership with Hansima Karunaratne, helping Sri Lanka rebuild from 72/2. Dulani has scored 78 runs in her early career in four innings. Her ability to rotate strike and find gaps without taking undue risks makes her a key figure in the middle order. In the second ODI, Sri Lanka will expect Dulani not just to stabilise but to push on and convert starts into bigger scores, especially given how the team faltered in the death overs.

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Hasini Perera

Another player to watch is Hasini Perera, who provided a brisk start at the top with 27 runs. Alongside Dulani, she was instrumental in that fluent opening partnership that laid the foundation for a big total. Hasini Perera has scored 1165 runs in 60 innings, along with two half-centuries. Perera’s role becomes even more critical in the second ODI; her attacking intent in the powerplay can put Bangladesh on the back foot early. However, she will need to convert her starts into a substantial innings, something that could define Sri Lanka’s batting fortunes.

Malki Madara

Then there is Malki Madara, who may not have grabbed headlines for a late cameo, but made an impact with the ball by picking up an early wicket in Bangladesh’s chase. Madara recorded the bowling figures of 2/37 in the 1st ODI. Her ability to strike in the powerplay and maintain tight lines adds balance to the bowling attack. She has picked up a total of 11 wickets in 12 innings with best figures of 4/50. In a match where Sri Lanka struggled to defend a competitive total, bowlers like Madara became crucial in breaking partnerships and applying pressure during key phases.

The broader context also adds intrigue. Historically, Sri Lanka has dominated this rivalry, winning three or their 5 games, ending no result, but Bangladesh’s recent win, also their first-ever WODI victory against Sri Lanka, signals a shift in competitiveness. With the series now at 1-0, the second ODI becomes a must-win for Sri Lanka to stay alive, while Bangladesh will look to seal the series with confidence. In essence, the spotlight in the 2nd ODI firmly rests on players like Dulani, Perera, and Madara, not just for their individual skills, but for their ability to influence the game’s narrative.