Bangladesh Women held their nerve after a late wobble to secure a dramatic three-wicket win over Sri Lanka Women in the opening ODI at Rajshahi, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Chasing 206, Bangladesh looked in control for long stretches following a composed innings from Sharmin Akhter. But with their victory target almost within reach—needing only 7 runs with six overs still left in the match—Bangladesh suddenly lost momentum, slipping to four rapid wickets. Sri Lanka would have felt they were close to turning the tide, but the hosts ultimately closed it out in a tense finish, surviving the pressure to win by three wickets.
Bangladesh’s chase began in a shaky manner as they lost both openers within the first nine deliveries. The early blow continued to worsen for the visitors, with skipper Nigar Sultana departing by the end of the ninth over as Sri Lanka seized control of proceedings. From there, Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary steadied the innings, repairing the damage with a crucial partnership that shifted the contest back in Bangladesh’s favour.
Sharmin initially played with confidence, smashing boundaries and reaching 30 off 36 balls at one stage. At the other end, Sobhana Mostary accelerated at the right moments, finding gaps and hitting Kavisha Dilhari for four boundaries in a single over—an over that helped completely change the complexion of the match. The duo kept Bangladesh moving towards the target, but the momentum took another hit when Sobhana was forced to retire hurt. That setback did not derail Bangladesh’s pursuit; Sharmin teamed up with Shorna Akhter to push the chase further.
Sharmin slowed as the innings approached the end, yet Bangladesh still appeared to be in command. However, once they were 199 for 3, the innings collapsed in sudden fashion. They lost four quick wickets in just 11 deliveries, including the dismissal of a batter who had been set. Despite the late collapse, Bangladesh still had enough to defend the chase—because the lower order managed to squeeze the remaining runs, finishing the job in the penultimate over with just six runs required.
Earlier: Sri Lanka set the pace, then Bangladesh struck back
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s innings followed a different pattern from Bangladesh’s start. Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani laid a solid foundation, gradually finding their rhythm before increasing the tempo. Their stand was broken in the 14th over, and Sri Lanka soon suffered another wicket shortly after, but they regrouped quickly through a partnership that involved Dulani and Hansima Karunaratne.
Karunaratne and Dulani combined effectively, adding 56 runs for the third wicket. Even after Dulani departed for 52, Sri Lanka reached 160 for 3 after 37 overs, positioned for a strong finishing phase. In the final stretch, Bangladesh’s bowlers delivered a disciplined and attacking effort, taking wickets at regular intervals and preventing Sri Lanka from building any sustained momentum. With only 34 runs produced in the last 10 overs, Sri Lanka’s late surge never fully materialised, leaving the hosts with a total that proved just defendable—until the final overs.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 205/9 (50 overs) (Hansima Karunaratne 54, Imesha Dulani 52; Ritu Moni 3-36, Nahida Akter 2-38) lost to Bangladesh Women 206/7 (48.3 overs) (Sharmin Akhter 86, Sobhana Mostary 41; Dewmi Vihanga 3-43) by 3 wickets.
