Perera, Dulani fifties steer Sri Lanka to WODI series win over Bangladesh

Sri Lanka clinched a convincing seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the third and final Women’s One-Day International to seal a 2-1 series win in Rajshahi on Saturday, riding on composed half-centuries from Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani.

Chasing a competitive target of 214, Sri Lanka rode on a crucial 108-run partnership between Perera and Dulani for the second wicket, which laid the foundation for a comfortable pursuit at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium.

Perera led the charge with a superb 95 off 131 deliveries, while Dulani contributed a steady 56 off 79 balls.

The visitors’ chase began with an early setback when captain Chamari Athapaththu fell for 10, dismissed by pacer Marufa Akter. However, Dulani joined Perera at the crease and the duo stabilised the innings.

Dulani’s innings was eventually cut short by Marufa, but Perera continued to anchor the chase. She struck 13 boundaries during her innings and built another vital 78-run stand with Harshitha Samarawickrama, who remained unbeaten on 44 off 51 balls.

Perera looked set for her maiden ODI century but fell agonisingly short, dismissed by Sobhana Mostary just five runs away from the landmark. Nonetheless, her innings ensured Sri Lanka stayed firmly on course, and Samarawickrama guided the team home as they reached 214 for three in 46.3 overs.

This series began with Bangladesh winning the opening match by three wickets -- their maiden WODI victory over Sri Lanka -- before the visitors bounced back with a four-wicket win in the second game to level the series.

Earlier in the day, the home side posted 213 for eight after opting to bat first, registering their highest total against Sri Lanka in this format. The innings was anchored by a fluent 74 off 80 balls from Sobhana Mostary and a patient 40 off 90 deliveries from captain Nigar Sultana Joty.

Bangladesh, however, made a shaky start, losing three wickets for 69 runs. Joty and Mostary then steadied the innings with a 65-run stand for the fourth wicket, rebuilding after the early collapse.

Following Joty’s dismissal, Bangladesh again lost wickets in quick succession, but Mostary held firm at one end. She struck eight boundaries in her knock -- her third WODI fifty -- and carried the innings deep before being dismissed off the final ball.

Ritu Moni provided a late boost with a brisk 20 off 16 balls, helping Bangladesh cross the 200-run mark. However, the total ultimately proved insufficient as Sri Lanka’s batters executed a disciplined chase against a largely ineffective bowling effort from the hosts.

For Sri Lanka, spinner Kavisha Dilhari was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets for 48 runs, while Nimasha Meepage chipped in with two scalps.

The two sides will now shift focus to the shortest format, with a three-match WT20I series scheduled to be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on April 28, April 30, and May 2.