Bangladesh let a strong position slip as Sri Lanka claimed a four wicket win in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
Marufa Akter produced a brilliant spell and helped Bangladesh reduce Sri Lanka to 44 for five. But Harshitha Samarawickrama led the recovery as Sri Lanka chased down 115 with four balls left.
Sri Lanka finished on 115 for six in 19.2 overs after Bangladesh had posted 114 for eight.
Bangladesh made a steady start after Sri Lanka chose to field. Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous added 31 runs for the first wicket.
Juairiya scored 14 from 10 balls before getting out. Bangladesh reached 37 for one after six overs.
Dilara then added runs with Sobhana Mostary. Dilara made 26 from 26 balls before her innings ended with Bangladesh on 44.
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty could not make an impact. She scored four from nine balls.
Mostary kept Bangladesh moving from the other end. She made 34 from 41 balls and took the score to 93 before getting out.
Bangladesh struggled to score quickly in the closing overs. Fahima Khatun made 14 from 13 balls as the team finished on 114 for eight.
Chamudi Praboda took three wickets for Sri Lanka. Sugandika Kumari claimed two, while Kavisha Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu took one each.
Marufa then gave Bangladesh a perfect start with the ball.
She removed Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu for one in the first over. Marufa struck again when she bowled Imesha Dulani for 12.
Sultana Khatun then removed Sanjana Kavindi. Sri Lanka ended the powerplay on 29 for three.
Bangladesh continued to take wickets. Ritu Moni dismissed Vishmi Gunaratne for nine before Kavisha Dilhari was run out for three.
Sri Lanka were struggling at 44 for five and Bangladesh had taken control of the match.
But Samarawickrama refused to give up.
She rebuilt the innings with Nilakshika Silva. The pair added 38 runs for the sixth wicket and brought Sri Lanka back into the game.
Marufa returned to bowl Silva for 18 and gave Bangladesh another chance. It was her third wicket of the match.
Sri Lanka still needed a strong finish, but Samarawickrama stayed at the crease.
The match changed in the 18th over when Sri Lanka scored 16 runs. That left them needing 13 from the final two overs.
Nahida Akter gave away only five runs from the first five balls of the 19th over. But Sri Lanka hit the final ball for six.
That reduced the target to just two runs from the last over.
Sri Lanka completed the chase with four balls remaining to seal the four wicket win.
Marufa finished with three wickets for Bangladesh. Ritu Moni and Sultana Khatun took one each.
The win sent Sri Lanka into the semifinals as Group B champions. Bangladesh can also reach the semifinals if they beat the United Arab Emirates in their final group match.
