Captain Chamari Athapaththu delivered a brilliant final over, claiming three wickets to help Sri Lanka beat a spirited Bangladesh by seven runs in a low-scoring thriller during their Women’s World Cup game on Sunday, October 20.
Sri Lanka, who were under pressure almost throughout the second half after being bowled out for 202 in 48.5 overs, managed to edge out Bangladesh in the final over of the contest.
Combative innings from skipper Nigar Sultana (77) and Sharmin Akhter (64 retired hurt) ultimately went in vain.
Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the semifinals also crumbled as they dropped to the seventh spot, while Sri Lanka moved up to sixth place with four points. They matched the points tally of India (fourth) and New Zealand (fifth), with only
the net run rate separating these teams.
With nine runs needed for victory in the final over, Bangladesh faced a challenging task despite their skipper Sultana being at the crease. Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu pulled off a stellar performance, conceding just one run to keep her side in contention for the final four.
Athapaththu trapped Rabeya Khan leg-before on the first ball of the over. On the second ball, Nahida Akter was run out at the non-striker’s end with a direct hit.
The game’s fate, ending in heartbreak for Bangladesh, was sealed when Sultana hit a shot straight to Nilakshika Silva at long-off on the third ball. Athapaththu then trapped Marufa Akter leg-before on the fourth ball.
Bangladesh, who were 176 for three, finished at 195 for nine in their 50 overs.
Before the game swung Sri Lanka’s way, Bangladesh seemed poised for their first-ever win over the island nation in the 50-overs format, thanks to a gritty 82-run stand for the fourth wicket between Sultana and Akhter.
Sultana and Akhter took charge when Bangladesh had slipped to 44 for three inside 16 overs, giving Sri Lanka little chance to break through. They took their side from a position of trouble to one that almost guaranteed them a win.
The duo adopted a patient approach after Bangladesh’s early setbacks, taking time to settle and build a partnership that could have been match-winning.
Akhter, who faced 104 balls for her 64 runs, including four boundaries and a six, had to retire hurt in the 36th over due to the humidity, but not before setting up the platform for Bangladesh’s second win in the tournament.
Earlier in the day, an inspiring spell from Shorna Akter (3/27) helped Bangladesh bowl out Sri Lanka for a modest 202 after Hasini Perera struck a career-best 85 in their must-win match.
Perera (85 off 99 balls, 13x4s, 1×6) anchored Sri Lanka’s innings with her maiden fifty, forming two vital partnerships with Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37). However, Shorna stole the spotlight with a fine spell of 10-4-27-3.
Perera’s 85, now her highest ODI score, included two dropped catches when she was on 55 and 63.
The Sri Lankan No. 3, Perera, played a tired-looking shot late in the innings, which not only denied her a deserving century but also gave Bangladesh an unexpected opening that they capitalised on.
Sri Lanka seemed on course for an imposing first-innings total, but a flurry of wickets started with Silva’s dismissal by Shorna, ending a 74-run fifth wicket stand with Perera that threatened to take the game away from Bangladesh.
Shorna played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s collapse. After getting Silva caught at short third in the 32nd over, she dismissed Anushka Sanjeewani with an easy return catch.
Then, in a poor execution of the reverse sweep, Shorna’s loopy delivery trapped Perera leg-before in front of the leg stump.
Perera, who displayed a rich array of strokes, especially along the ground, paid a hefty price for attempting a reverse sweep from a vertical position, failing to play the ball conventionally. Her challenge against the on-field call was futile.
From a comfortable 174 for four in the 32nd over and looking set for a strong finish, Sri Lanka folded meekly for 202 all-out in 48.4 overs.
(With PTI Inputs)
