Sri Lanka’s 35-year-old captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front yet again, guiding her side to a thrilling seven-run victory against Bangladesh at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, as Sri Lanka finally registered their first win in the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
With this win, Sri Lanka climbed to sixth place in the points table, having earned four points from six games, including two rain-affected matches against Australia and New Zealand. It was not just a victory that kept their faint semi-final hopes alive, but also one that restored much-needed belief in a side burdened by weather-related interruptions and inconsistent batting displays.
In the post-match press conference, Chamari Athapaththu, who scripted yet another captain’s spell by defending nine runs in the final over, also picked up three wickets and displayed her trademark candour. “Actually, first of all, the way we batted, I’m not happy, because we had a good start, but we didn’t continue that,” she admitted, reflecting on Sri Lanka’s modest 203-run total.
Yet, she was full of praise for her bowlers, saying, “As a bowling unit, we’ve done a really good job. I know it’s not easy to grip the ball after the dew comes, but as professional cricketers, we have to adapt.” The captain revealed how a late tactical call shaped the climax: “In the 49th over, Sugandika (Kumari) Dasanayaka bowled really well. I spoke to Udeshika Prabodhani before the last over, and she said, ‘No, Chamari, you’re in the mood and in good rhythm, so you bowl the last over.’ That’s why I took it.”
Defending nine runs off the last six balls, Athapaththu kept her composure and strategic clarity intact. “I tried to bowl full and straight, no width, attack the stumps, and sometimes bowl yorkers, because I know except Joty (Nigar Sultana), others try to play across the line,” she explained. The plan worked perfectly when Bangladesh’s hopes, anchored by their skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, slipped away as Chamari’s precision yorkers squeezed the chase into submission.
When asked how relieved she was that Joty wasn’t on strike in that final over, Athapaththu smiled, “Actually, that was our plan, because if Joty had played a few more balls, the game might have slipped away. We executed our plans at the right time. Sugandika bowled really good, I knew Joty plays really well inside-out, so I kept two fielders at long-on and long-off. She tried hitting over long-off; it wasn’t easy, and that moment turned the game our way.”
The victory carried special meaning for a side that had battled adverse weather throughout the World Cup’s group stage. “We played only one game in India before this, four games in Sri Lanka, two washed out, two we lost, almost all rain-affected. It’s too hard as a team, but we can’t control the weather. I said to my team, control what we can control,” Chamari said firmly. Looking ahead, she added, “We have one more game left. We’ll try our best against Pakistan, finish on a high, and if a miracle (semi-final qualification) happens, let’s see.”
Head coach Rumesh Ratnayake’s message also echoed in the team’s spirited effort. Chamari credited his steadying presence for the improved intensity. “After we collapsed in batting, it’s hard to keep the team positive. But he came to the dressing room and said, ‘Okay, first half is done, now fight and execute the right plans.’ That energy helped us. We saw great body language on the field, two sharp run outs, it showed our intent.”
While the two points were priceless, the evening also etched individual milestones into Sri Lankan women’s cricket history. Chamari Athapaththu became the first Sri Lankan ever to cross 4,000 ODI runs, a feat that testifies to her consistency and longevity. Hasini Perera’s chiselled 85 off 99 balls was equally significant, marking her maiden ODI half-century and helping Sri Lanka post a competitive total when conditions tested every batter’s patience. Chamari lauded her teammate: “Hasini played amazingly; she’s one of our senior players, and I’ve always trusted her. She has a bright future, still just 29, she can play another five to six years.”
Reflecting on her own achievement, Chamari remained grounded: “It’s a big milestone for me, but my goal is to take Sri Lanka to a World Cup semi-final. We’ve never made it in any format. Even if the chance is slim, that’s what I want before I retire.” She also registered her career-best figures with the ball (10-0-42-4) for her side, apart from her contributions with the bat in their previous game.
The win might not have lifted Sri Lanka into the top four yet, but it has reignited belief in a side known for its fighting spirit. Under Athapaththu’s fiery leadership and Rumesh Ratnayake’s calm guidance, Sri Lanka rediscovered their competitive edge just when it mattered. As they prepare to take on Pakistan in their final group fixture, the skipper’s words echo with quiet determination: “We’ll play our best game in the next one, and whatever happens, we’ll finish strong.”
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