Bangladesh Women edged past Sri Lanka Women by three wickets in a tense finish to the first ODI of their three-match series at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on 20 April, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Put in to bat, Sri Lanka posted 205 for 9 from their 50 overs. Hansima Karunaratne led the way with 54 off 71 balls, while Imesha Dulani contributed a composed 52 from 77 deliveries. Kavisha Dilhari (30), stand-in captain Hasini Perera (27) and Kawya Nuthyangana (18) all chipped in to give the visitors a competitive total. Ritu Moni was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with three wickets, while Nahida Akter claimed two. Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun and Marufa Akter each took one.
Bangladesh’s chase began disastrously. Both openers — Sharmin Sultana and Fargana Hoque — fell inside five runs, leaving the hosts in early trouble. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty attempted to steady the ship alongside Sharmin Akhter, but her dismissal for 13 left Bangladesh still searching for momentum.
Stability eventually came through a crucial partnership between Sharmin and Mostary. The pair rebuilt the innings with composure, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries. Sharmin brought up a well-crafted half-century and looked set for a match-winning hundred. Mostary, meanwhile, was progressing confidently before retiring hurt on 41 off 56 balls, disrupting Bangladesh’s rhythm at a key moment.
With Sharmin joined by Shorna Akter, Bangladesh appeared to be cruising towards the target. But the chase took a dramatic turn at 199 when Sharmin departed for a superb 86 off 127 balls. Shorna followed shortly after for 35, triggering a mini-collapse. Further wickets fell in quick succession, including Ritu Moni and Rabeya Khan, turning what had seemed a straightforward win into a nervy finale. With five runs still needed from the final three overs, Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened the screws.
In the end, Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun kept their composure to guide Bangladesh home with nine balls to spare. Nahida finished unbeaten on 3, with Sultana adding 1 to seal a three-wicket victory. For Sri Lanka, Dewmi Vihanga took three wickets and Malki Madara two.
The win gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the series. The second ODI takes place on 22 April, followed by the third on 25 April, both in Rajshahi, before the sides move to Sylhet for a three-match T20I series.
