12 runs needed off last 2 overs, Bangladesh bottle run chase by losing 5 wickets for 4 runs as Sri Lanka open win account in Women's ODI World Cup 2025

Bangladesh looked set for their second win of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025. Chasing 2023 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, Bangladesh needed 12 runs off last two overs with six wickets in hand. After a penultimate over from Sugandika Kumari where she conceded three runs and claimed one wicket, Bangladesh panicked. In the last over bowled by captain Chamari Athapaththu, Bangladesh lost four wickets and managed to score just one run as Sri Lanka registered a famous seven-run win.

Hasini misses her ton

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Marufa Akter dismissed Vishmi Gunaratne for a golden duck. Athapththu looked to score quickly. The opener scored 46 runs from just 43 balls before getting out lbw to Rabeya Khan. She hit six fours and two sixes. Hasini Perera played the anchor role while three quick wickets fell at the other end. Perera shared a 74-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Nilakshi de Silva who scored 37 runs from 38 balls. More wickets fell on the other end. In the 36th over, Perera lost her wicket to Shorna Akter. She scored 85 runs from 99 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six. Udeshika Prabodhani and Malki Madara tried to play out the overs with strike rate just over 20. In the 49th over, they were bowled out for 202.

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Sharmin’s cramps hurt Bangladesh, Sultana lacks support in slog overs

In the run chase, the openers departed early., Rubya Haider Jhelik was dismissed for a five-ball duck whereas Fargana Hoque got run out in the 11th over. Sobhana Mostary could not play herself in either and was dismissed by Mostary in the 16th over for a single-digit score. Sharmin Akter and skipper Sultana took control of the run chase. The partnership was going strong but Sharmin struggled with cramps. In the 36th over, she returned to the pavilion retired hurt for 64. Shorna lost her wicket in the 46th over as the pressure mounted. In the end, Sultana ran out of partners as Bangladesh choked in the run chase. The skipper scored 77 runs off 98 balls before falling in the final over. Sharmin returned to bat but could not take Bangladesh over the line.

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Sri Lanka are alive in the semifinal race even though their net run rate (NRR) is poorer than India and New Zealand. Sri Lanka have four points, including two from no washed out games.