Sri Lanka Women produced a composed and clinical chase in Rajshahi to seal a convincing ODI series victory over Bangladesh Women, showcasing both patience and calculated aggression in a high-scoring encounter. The match unfolded as a tale of partnerships, resilience, and timely breakthroughs, with momentum swinging at different phases before Sri Lanka firmly took control.
Bangladesh Women began their innings with cautious intent, but the early breakthrough set the tone. Fargana Hoque struggled to get going and was eventually dismissed for 11 off 26 balls, falling to Chamari Athapaththu at 1/28 in 8.3 overs. Sharmin Sultana tried to stabilise alongside Shamima Akhter, but a mix-up led to Sharmin’s run out for 17, leaving Bangladesh at 2/34. Shamima Akhter then attempted to rebuild, contributing 25 off 36 deliveries, but Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack ensured that partnerships never fully blossomed.
The innings found stability when skipper Nigar Sultana anchored the middle overs. Despite her slow strike rate, her 40 off 90 balls was crucial in holding the innings together. She stitched a steady partnership with Sobhana Mostary, who emerged as the standout performer. Mostary played a fluent knock of 74 off 80 balls, striking eight boundaries and rotating the strike effectively. Their partnership lifted Bangladesh from a vulnerable position to a competitive platform, but once Nigar fell at 4/134 in 38.3 overs, Sri Lanka sensed an opening.
The latter half of the innings saw quick wickets derail Bangladesh’s momentum. Shorna Akter fell for 3, followed by Fahima Khatun (7), while Ritu Moni added a brisk 20 off 16 balls to push the scoring rate. Sobhana Mostary’s dismissal off the final ball marked the end of Bangladesh’s resistance, as they closed at 213/8 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Kavisha Dilhari led the charge with 3 wickets for 48 runs, while Nimasha Mepage picked up 2/40. Chamari Athapaththu and Malki Madara chipped in with a wicket each, and Inoka Ranaweera maintained excellent control with an economical spell of 0/32.
Chasing 214, Sri Lanka Women had an early hiccup when Chamari Athapaththu fell for 10 at 1/19 in 4.4 overs. However, what followed was a match-defining partnership between Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani. The duo displayed remarkable composure, rotating strike and capitalising on loose deliveries. Dulani contributed a steady 56 off 79 balls before falling at 2/127 in 31.5 overs, but by then, the foundation had been firmly laid.
Hasini Perera, who was later named Player of the Match, anchored the innings brilliantly. Her 95 off 131 balls was a masterclass in pacing a chase, blending patience with timely boundaries. She found an able partner in Harshitha Samarawickrama, who remained unbeaten on 44 off 51 balls. Their partnership ensured there were no further hiccups, guiding Sri Lanka closer to the target with calm authority. Even after Perera’s dismissal at 3/205 in 45.2 overs, the result was all but sealed.
Sri Lanka eventually reached 214/3 in 46.3 overs, winning the match by 7 wickets with 21 balls to spare. Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to make consistent breakthroughs. Marufa Akter was the pick with 2/49, while Sobhana Mostary claimed 1/12. However, the lack of sustained pressure allowed Sri Lanka’s batters to dictate terms. The victory not only sealed the series but also underlined Sri Lanka Women’s growing consistency in the ODI format.
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