Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in Sylhet on 28 April, winning by 25 runs despite a spirited 60 from Shorna Akter that gave the scoreline a flattering look.
Bangladesh made a bright start in pursuit of 162 but unravelled badly in the middle overs. A promising opening stand of 39 gave way to a dramatic collapse, with four wickets falling for just five runs as the innings fell apart at its core.
Juairiya Ferdous was the first to go, caught for 16 off 12 balls. What followed was damaging. Sharmin Akhter scratched around for one run off five deliveries, and captain Nigar Sultana Joty, badly out of form, was gone for a duck off two balls without troubling the scorers. Dilara Akter, who had looked the most threatening of the top order, fell for 23 off 14 to leave Bangladesh in deep trouble at 44 for 4.
Shorna and Sobhana Mostary steadied things with a gritty partnership, but the pair played too conservatively, leaking far too many dot balls as the asking rate crept beyond reach. Sobhana was removed for 16 off 26 balls, and from that moment the game was effectively up.
Shorna refused to give in, and her 60 was the innings of the day. But she had too little support and too much ground to make up. Sri Lanka, who had posted 161 for 4 batting first, were always in control.
