Chamari Athapaththu’s standout all-round display hauled Sri Lanka to a dramatic three-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I at Sylhet on Saturday, May 2. In a match reduced by rain to nine overs per side, Athapaththu made her impact with the bat first, then delivered the decisive bowling moments under pressure. She struck 41 to lead the chase of a competitive total, and followed it up by taking 2 wickets for 15 runs in a short two-over burst that included a tense final-over spell, sealing a series whitewash for the visitors.
Asked to bat after rain disrupted the schedule, Sri Lanka had their innings trimmed to a nine-over format. Athapaththu looked to set the tempo early, reaching 17 runs from her first 10 balls, with a couple of fours and a six showing up in her strokeplay. Her opening partner, Imesha Dulani, complemented that start strongly as well, hitting four consecutive boundaries against Marufa Akter to help Sri Lanka race to 40 inside the opening three overs. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers tightened the screws as the spin duo of Sultana Khatun and Shanjida Akter Meghla began to control the middle.
Sultana struck first, dismissing Dulani, and Shanjida then removed Harshitha Samarawickrama for just three. The turning point came when Sultana produced a rapid double strike, getting rid of Hansima Karunaratne and Nilakshika Silva, leaving Sri Lanka reeling from 43 without loss to 53 for 4. Even with wickets falling, Athapaththu continued to carry the innings, finding boundaries against Ritu Moni and keeping Sri Lanka moving. Shanjida’s second over, delivered from the other end, proved costly for the batting side, as it yielded 11 runs and briefly swung the momentum back toward Sri Lanka.
Kavisha Dilhari then provided a crucial late surge, smashing a six and a four in the final over. But the finish became chaotic in the last moments: both Dilhari and Athapaththu were run out off the final two deliveries. That left Sri Lanka with 87 for 6 from their nine overs.
Bangladesh’s reply began with intent, and Dilara Akter offered early momentum before being dismissed by Athapaththu after a couple of boundaries. Sobhana Mostary took charge of the chase, driving the run rate forward as Bangladesh stayed in contention. With 44 required from the final four overs, Mithali Ayodhya delivered a 13-run over that applied fresh pressure on the Sri Lankan camp, though Mostary fell after a 15-ball 21, bringing the chase under sharper scrutiny.
Dilhari then bowled a seven-run over to keep the equation moving upward, and Sugandika Kumari struck in the penultimate phase by taking a couple of wickets to tighten the game further. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana played a key role, clearing the ropes for a six off Kumari as 14 runs were needed from the last over. Athapaththu had Sultana’s batter caught at long-on with the first ball, and with 10 required off three deliveries, Sultana answered immediately with a boundary to keep the contest alive. Still, Athapaththu ultimately held her nerve, guiding Sri Lanka to a nerve-wracking victory.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 87/6 (9 overs) — Chamari Athapaththu 41, Imesha Dulani 19; Sultana Khatun 3/8. Bangladesh 84/6 (9 overs) — Sobhana Mostary 21, Juairiya Ferdous 15; Chamari Athapaththu 2/15, Sugandika Kumari 2/22. Sri Lanka won by 3 runs.
