Sri Lanka women completed a 3-0 T20I series whitewash over Bangladesh on Saturday, winning the third match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium by three runs in a contest cut to nine overs a side after heavy rain. Chasing 88, Bangladesh closed on 84 for 6, after needing six runs off the last two balls and managing only three. Captain Chamari Athapaththu’s 41 set up Sri Lanka’s total and the series sweep.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty won the toss and put Sri Lanka in. The visitors raced to 40 without loss after the three-over powerplay. Marufa Akter conceded four boundaries in a single over to Imesha Dulani, and Fariha Islam Trisna leaked 16 runs, including a six and a four, in the second over.
Sultana Khatun broke the opening stand of 43 in the fourth over, getting Imesha Dulani caught by Ritu Moni for 19 off 10. Shanjida Akther Meghla then removed Harshitha Samarawickrama for 3, also caught by Ritu Moni, and Sri Lanka slipped to 53 for 4. The innings turned on a 33-run fifth-wicket stand off 18 balls between Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari, who hit 15 off 7 with one six and two fours. Both fell on the last two balls, with Athapaththu run out for 41 off 27 (five fours and a six) on the final delivery. Sri Lanka closed on 87 for 6.
Sultana Khatun finished with 3 for 8 in two overs, the standout figures of the innings. Shanjida took the other wicket. Bangladesh leaked 34 runs in the final three overs.
Bangladesh started the chase with 12 from the first over after Dilara Akter struck two boundaries off the last two balls. She fell next over for 9, edging Athapaththu to Nilakshika Silva. Juairiya Ferdous made 15 off 11 before Nimasha Meepage drew an edge that Hansima Karunaratne held. Sobhana Mostary then top-scored with 21 off 15 before Mithali Ayodhya removed her.
Joty held the middle order together with small partnerships, and the hosts went into the final over needing 14 with five wickets in hand. Joty fell to the first ball of the last over for 13, and the equation grew. Sultana Khatun took two doubles and a boundary off the third ball to bring it to six off two, but neither she nor Sharmin Akter Supta found the rope on the final two balls. They took only a single and a couple. Bangladesh finished on 84 for 6, three short.
Joty’s side had won the first ODI before losing the 50-over series 2-1, and they now ended the T20I leg without a win. The Tigresses had Sri Lanka under pressure at 53 for 4, but the late hitting from Athapaththu and Dilhari, plus the squeeze at the death of the chase, decided the contest.
