Nahida, Marufa help Tigresses to one-run win against SL in warm-up fixture

Bangladesh women's side grabbed a scintillating one-run win in their second World Cup warm-up fixture on Saturday against Sri Lanka at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground. 

Nahida Akter was the star of the show with the ball, picking up three wickets for 28 runs after Bangladesh set Sri Lanka a target of 243. With Sri Lanka looking strong, the left-arm spinner picked up back-to-back wickets in the 46th over to leave Sri Lanka at 218 for 7.

Nilakshika Silva was however looking good to take the match away from the Tigresses before Nahida removed her for a team-high 75.

The Lankans needed 10 off the last over bowled by Marufa Akter and although the pacer conceded a four off the first delivery, she held her own in the final over. Marufa picked up the wicket of Sugandika Kumari in the final delivery of the innings to bowl Sri Lanka out for 241 and secure a one-run win. Marufa finished with two for 49

Tigresses lost opener Farzana Haque early for 1 but Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akter then stitched together a 90-run stand for the third-wicket. Rubya fell to Kavisha Dilhari after a 52-ball 33 before Sobhana Mostary (2) fell victim to Kavisha as well. Once Nigar Sultana Joty fell for 20 in the 30th over, Bangladesh were reeling at 129 for four.

Sharmin, who top-scored with 71 off 101 deliveries fell in the 35th over. Late contributions from Sumaiya Akter (38), Fahim Khatun (25*) and Rabeya Khatun's camoe four-ball 10 took Bangladesh to 242 for 8.

The first of the warm-up fixtures against South Africa was abandoned due to rain