Dhaka: Bangladesh Women’s team experienced yet another heartbreak when they tasted a seven-run defeat to Sri Lanka in their sixth game of the ICC Cricket World Cup at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai today. With this defeat, the Tigresses’ slim hope to secure a semifinal spot was completely dented.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 202 in 48.4 overs, setting a modest target for Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh managed to score 195-9 in 50 overs. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty led the team with a score of 77, while Sharmin Akter Supta remained not out on 64. Despite a strong start, Bangladesh’s hopes rested on Supta, who struggled to pace the scoreboard at crucial moments. The lack of support from other batters, apart from Joty and Supta, was evident as Shorna Akter was the only other player to reach double figures with 19.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, was instrumental in dismantling Bangladesh’s innings, claiming four wickets. She received significant support fro
m Sughonda Kumarika, who took two wickets. Earlier in the match, Hasini Perera led Sri Lanka’s charge with an 85-run innings off 99 balls, including 13 fours and one six. Chamari Athapaththu also contributed with 46, while Nilakshikha Silva added 37 to the total.
Shorna Akter was effective with the ball for Bangladesh, claiming 3-27 in 10 overs, which helped in bowling out Sri Lanka for a substandard total. Marufa Akter provided Bangladesh with a good start by dismissing opener Vishmi Gunarate for a duck on the first ball of the innings after Sri Lanka chose to bat first. Despite this setback, Athapaththu and Perera played confidently to maintain a steady flow of runs.
Rabeya Khan broke through by dismissing Athapaththu, ending a 72-run partnership, and allowing Bangladesh to claw back into the contest. Bangladesh bowlers then took two more quick wickets before Perera shared a crucial 74-run partnership with Nilakshikha Silva. Shorna Akter’s intervention broke this partnership by taking Silva’s wicket, trig
gering a collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose their last five wickets for 28 runs. Perera showed determination by holding one end before Shorna removed her as the eighth batter of Sri Lanka.