Tigresses fail to qualify for World Cup

The Bangladesh women's cricket team lost their last Super Six Game of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier against Sri Lanka by 42 runs (D/L method), and with it a chance to qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup. 

Chasing Sri Lanka's total of 197 for nine, Bangladesh made it to 68 for five in 21 overs before rain interrupted the game at the Nondescript Cricket Club Ground today. The Duckworth Lewis par score for five wickets lost after 21 overs was 111 runs with Bangladesh 42 runs short of tying the score, and that eventually became the margin of defeat as no further play was possible. 

Bangladesh lost their fifth wicket inside 15 overs when Sharmin Akhter was sent back for a golden-duck with her team tottering at 52 for 5 against Sri Lanka in the  at Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo today.

Bangladesh were rocked in their chase of 198 when they lost early wickets to stumble at 30 for three in nine overs.

Bangladesh captain Rumana Ahmed was the third wicket to fall when she was leg-before to Inoka Ranaweera for two in the 8th over.

Fargana Hoque was sent back in the third over for five runs to her name. She was dismissed by Udeshika Parabodhani to the utter disappointment of Bangladesh fans.

Bangladesh suffered the worst start to their chase when they lost Sharmin Sultana in the first ball of their innings.

Earlier, Bangladesh kept Sri Lanka down to 197 for nine after 50 overs.

Sri Lanka looked like they had things under control at 107 for 2 inside 33 overs. However, they lost wickets in clusters and could not cross 200 in the end. Chamari Atapattu held the Sri Lankan innings together with her valiant 84 from 114 balls.

Chamari struck eights fours and a six in her timely knock when wickets where falling at the other end. Hasini Perera made 32 from 72. For Bangladesh, Salma Khatun was the most successful bowler for her side today. She took 3-18 in nine overs.

Suraiya Azmim, Panna Ghosh, Khadija Tul Kubra, Rumana Ahmed and Shaila Sharmin captured a wicket each.

Salma took her third wicket of the match when he sent back Inoshi Priyadharshani in the 49 th over.

Sri Lanka lost their seventh wicket in the 45 th over. Khadija dismissed Chamari Polgampola for four runs after a handy partnership of 28.

Earlier, Bangladesh roared back into the contest with three quick wickets to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 146 for 6 in 39.3 overs.

Panna Ghosh sent back Sripali Weerakkody for a two-ball duck in the 40th over as the hosts lost the momentum going into the last 10 overs.

Suraiya Azmin gave Tigresses their fifth wicket when she dismissed LE Kaushalya for 0 in the 39th over.

Dilani Manodara was the fourth wicket to fall when she was run out in the 38th over.

Bangladesh fought back after Shaila Sharmin sent back Prasadani Weerakkody for 10 to leave the hosts at 107 for 3 after 32.2 overs.

Captain Rumana Ahmed gave her team a much-needed breakthrough when she dismissed Hasini Perera for 32 to leave the hosts at 89 for 2 after 24.4 overs.

The second wicket stand of 50 consolidated the innings for Sri Lanka after the loss of their first wicket. Bangladesh need to take wickets during the middle overs and deny Sri Lanka’s top-order any substantial partnerships in this match.

Salma Khatun gave Bangladesh their first wicket when she sent back Sri Lanka’s Nipuni Hansika for 19 in the 11th over.

Bangladesh needed to stop the opening stand of the hosts as both the batters settled down at the crease.

Sri Lanka openers Nipuni Hansika and Hasini Perera gave their team a steady start after Bangladesh captain Rumana Ahmed won the toss and opted to field first.

Bangladesh skipper tried five bowlers but they were unable to give the early breakthrough in the ten overs of the match. Sri Lanka’s first wicket partnership reached 39 in 10 overs.

With a win over Ireland in its first Super Six game, Bangladesh gave themselves a small chance of being one of the four sides that can make it to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in England. They needed to defeat Sri Lanka by a considerable margin to stand any chance of qualifying.