SL vs BAN, Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Bangladesh eliminated after Sri Lanka steals last-over thriller

It’s not for nothing that Chamari Athapaththu is considered one of the finest all-rounders in the world. The Sri Lanka captain once again proved her mettle as she defended nine runs and claimed three wickets in the final over the match to guide her team to a seven-run win in a Women’s ODI World Cup group league fixture against Bangladesh at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday.

Chasing a target of 203, Bangladesh overcame early jitters and rode on an 82-partnership between captain Nigar Sultana Joty (77, 98b, 6×4) and Sharmin Akter Supta (64 not out, 103b, 4×4, 1×6) to stay on course until the 48th over.

But with Supta retiring hurt and Shorna Akter falling to Athapaththu after a steady 27-ball-19, it was a test of patience for Bangladesh’s middle-order. As Sugandika Kumari tightened the noose and conceded just three runs in the penultimate over, the pressure mounted.

The team needed nine runs in the final over with five wickets remaining, and with captain around, not many imagined that Bangladesh would let it slip, but with Athapaththu (4 for 42) bowling stump to stump, they could only score a couple of runs in the final over.

On the eve of the game, Sri Lanka’s head coach Rumesh Ratnayake hoped that a ‘typical Mumbai wicket’ would be on offer at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, which would aid the batters. No wonder, Sri Lanka did not think twice before opting to bat after it won the toss. However, despite Hasini Perera’s maiden international fifty (85, 99b, 13×4, 1×6), things went awry as it lost its final six wickets for just 28 runs, squandering its chances of putting up a big total and getting bowled out for 202.

The start was far from smooth as the first ball of the day by Marufa Akter nipped back and trapped Vishmi Gunarathne for nought. But then, with Perera making the most of two reprieves and forging two crucial partnerships with Athapaththu and Nilakshika Silva, Sri Lanka looked on course.

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However, with leg-spinners Shorna (three for 27) and Rabeya Khan (two for 39) coming up with inspiring spells, Sri Lanka unraveled. With seven of its batters falling for single digits, the Lankans folded meekly after cruising to 174 for four in the 32nd over.

After it took the seasoned Perera 143 games, across formats, to bring up her first international fifty, she looked set for a maiden century. However, she was trapped leg before by Shorna, and with her dismissal, Sri Lanka’s hopes of breaching the 250-run mark were dashed.

Coming into the game, Bangladesh players remained optimistic of making it to the semifinals, but another batting debacle meant its hopes went up in the smoke.

Published on Oct 20, 2025