In the run chase of 115 against Bangladesh in the Women's Asia Cup 2026 group stage match, defending champions Sri Lanka were struggling. Harshitha Samarawickrama arrived at the crease when Sri Lanka were 29/3. She saw her side lose wickets for 44 runs. But, Harshitha calmed her nerves and did what the coaches had told them: "Play deep until 20th over". She did exactly that and guided Sri Lanka to a four-wicket win with four balls to spare.
Bangladesh batters fail to put up a show
Earlier, Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to bowl first. Juairiya Ferdous looked to attack, hitting a hat-trick of fours in the third over. In the fifth over, Sugandika Kumari got Juairiya out for a 10-ball 14. The other opener Dilara Akter couldn't convert a good start into a big score. Chamudi Pramoda dismissed her for a run-a-ball 26 in the seventh over. Skipper Nigar Sultana succumbed to the pressure of dot deliveries. She fell to Kavisha Dilhari in the 10th over. At the halfway stage, Bangladesh were 52/3.
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Sobhana Mostary and Shorna Akter looked to build a partnership. In the 17th over, Chamudi dismissed them both. Sobhana scored 34 runs from 41 balls. Shorna managed to score nine runs from 14 deliveries. In the penultimate over, Ritu Moni got out stumped to Chamari. In the final over, Fahima Khatun hit Sugandika for two fours before losing her wicket. Marufa Akter got run out on the final delivery trying to take a second run. Bangladesh managed to post 114/8.
Batting collapse in run chase
Imesha Dulani started the run chase with a boundary. But, Marufa dismissed Chamari in the first over as well pushing Sri Lanka on the back foot. In her second over, Marufa dismissed Imesha for an 11-ball 12. Sultana Khatun bowled plenty of dot deliveries. She finished the powerplay overs with the wicket of Sanjana Kavindi. The boundary-less overs continued. Ritu got the better of Vishmi Gunaratne whereas Kavisha got run out. Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 44 runs in 9.3 overs.
Harshitha becomes saviour
Harshitha and Nilakshika Silva took Sri Lanka to 82/5 in 16 overs. In the last four overs, they needed 33 runs. Bangladesh got the match in control with Marufa getting the wicket of Nilakshika. She scored 18 runs from 23 balls. In the 18th over, Harshitha smashed Ritu for a four and a six. The 16-run over got the equation to 13 runs from final two overs. Harshith finished the penultimate over with a six against Nahida. Only two runs were needed off the last over. Harshitha did not go for the glory shot and finished the run chase with a single off the second ball of the over. She remained unbeaten for a 37-ball 48 as Sri Lanka reached the semifinal unscathed.
2 semifinalists confirmed
Bangladesh will now face UAE in a virtual quarterfinal. Sri Lanka are likely to face Pakistan in the semifinal on September 11. In the other semifinal, India will either face Bangladesh or UAE.