Bangladesh women's cricket team had a hard time with the ball at the back end of the innings as they succumbed to a 44-run defeat owing to a blistering fifty by Sri Lanka batter Nilakshi de Silva in the final ODI of the three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Friday. 

The win made sure Sri Lanka take the series 2-1.

The women in red and green failed to keep a lid on things, especially at the death as Sri Lanka posted 158 for three on the back of de Silva's 39-ball 63 and Harshitha Samawickrama's 42-ball 51 after opting to bat first.

Bangladesh's reply lacked urgency as the visitors were restricted to an underwhelming 114 for seven, with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty top-scoring with a 33-ball 31. 

Batting first, Sri Lanka didn't get off to the greatest of starts as they were three down for just 56 on the board in the 10th over.

But a 102-run stand between Samarawickrama and de Silva took Sri Lanka's total past 150. The duo plundered 53 runs in the last three overs alone.

Leg-spinners Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun and left-arm spinner Nahida Akter picked up one wicket each, while the experienced Jahanara Alam, who went wicketless, conceded 44 runs in her four overs recording the most runs conceded in an innings in WT20Is by a Bangladesh bowler.  

In reply, Bangladesh opener Rubya Haider went back for a duck in the second over and her opening partner Fargana Haque managed to chew up 20 balls for her 10-run knock before falling to pacer Kawya Kavindi.

Wicket fell at regular intervals which made it difficult for the visitors to gather momentum. Other than Sobhana Mostary's 25-ball 30, and Joty's 31-run resistance, no other batter could deliver anything of substance as their innings halted at 114 for seven.