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Chamari Athapaththu’s final over heroics help Sri Lanka edge Bangladesh by seven runs in a Women’s World Cup thriller.
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in a thriller (Picture credit: AFP)
Captain Chamari Athapaththu delivered a superb final over, claiming three wickets to assist Sri Lanka beat a spirited Bangladesh by seven runs in a low-scoring thriller during their Women’s World Cup game on Sunday, October 20.
Sri Lanka, who were under pressure almost throughout the second half after being bowled out for 202 in 48.5 overs, managed to edge out Bangladesh in the ultimate over of the competition.
Combative innings from skipper Nigar Sultana (77) and Sharmin Akhter (64 retired hurt) ultimately went in vain.
Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the semifinals also crumbled as they dropped to the seventh spot, while Sri Lanka moved as much as sixth place with 4 points. They matched the points tally of India (fourth) and Recent Zealand (fifth), with only the online run rate separating these teams.
With nine runs needed for victory in the ultimate over, Bangladesh faced a difficult task despite their skipper Sultana being on the crease. Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu pulled off a stellar performance, conceding only one run to maintain her side in contention for the ultimate 4.
Athapaththu trapped Rabeya Khan leg-before on the primary ball of the over. On the second ball, Nahida Akter was run out on the non-striker’s end with a direct hit.
The sport’s fate, ending in heartbreak for Bangladesh, was sealed when Sultana hit a shot straight to Nilakshika Silva at long-off on the third ball. Athapaththu then trapped Marufa Akter leg-before on the fourth ball.
Bangladesh, who were 176 for 3, finished at 195 for nine of their 50 overs.
Before the sport swung Sri Lanka’s way, Bangladesh seemed poised for his or her first-ever win over the island nation within the 50-overs format, due to a gritty 82-run stand for the fourth wicket between Sultana and Akhter.
Sultana and Akhter took charge when Bangladesh had slipped to 44 for 3 inside 16 overs, giving Sri Lanka little likelihood to interrupt through. They took their side from a position of trouble to at least one that just about guaranteed them a win.
The duo adopted a patient approach after Bangladesh’s early setbacks, taking time to settle and construct a partnership that might have been match-winning.
Akhter, who faced 104 balls for her 64 runs, including 4 boundaries and a six, needed to retire hurt within the thirty sixth over attributable to the humidity, but not before organising the platform for Bangladesh’s second win within the tournament.
Earlier within the day, an inspiring spell from Shorna Akter (3/27) helped Bangladesh bowl out Sri Lanka for a modest 202 after Hasini Perera struck a career-best 85 of their must-win match.
Perera (85 off 99 balls, 13x4s, 1×6) anchored Sri Lanka’s innings along with her maiden fifty, forming two vital partnerships with Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37). Nevertheless, Shorna stole the highlight with a positive spell of 10-4-27-3.
Perera’s 85, now her highest ODI rating, included two dropped catches when she was on 55 and 63.
The Sri Lankan No. 3, Perera, played a tired-looking shot late within the innings, which not only denied her a deserving century but in addition gave Bangladesh an unexpected opening that they capitalised on.
Sri Lanka seemed heading in the right direction for an imposing first-innings total, but a flurry of wickets began with Silva’s dismissal by Shorna, ending a 74-run fifth wicket stand with Perera that threatened to take the sport away from Bangladesh.
Shorna played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s collapse. After getting Silva caught at short third within the thirty second over, she dismissed Anushka Sanjeewani with a straightforward return catch.
Then, in a poor execution of the reverse sweep, Shorna’s loopy delivery trapped Perera leg-before in front of the leg stump.
Perera, who displayed a wealthy array of strokes, especially along the bottom, paid a hefty price for attempting a reverse sweep from a vertical position, failing to play the ball conventionally. Her challenge against the on-field call was futile.
From a snug 174 for 4 within the thirty second over and looking out set for a powerful finish, Sri Lanka folded meekly for 202 all-out in 48.4 overs.
(With PTI Inputs)
October 20, 2025, 23:04 IST
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