'It’s heartbreaking': Joty after Bangladesh’s agonising collapse against Sri Lanka

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty was left devastated after her team suffered yet another narrow defeat in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, falling to Sri Lanka by seven runs in a dramatic finish at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Monday.

It was Sri Lanka's first win of the competition -- one snatched from the jaws of defeat in a match that ebbed and flowed until the very last over.

"We've lost three games like this, it's heartbreaking," said Joty after the match. "From the start it was our game. We batted really well, but the retired hurt made us lose momentum. And then we lost wickets at crucial stages."

After starting their campaign with a win over Pakistan, Bangladesh endured agonising losses against England, South Africa and now Sri Lanka -- each decided in the closing moments.

Chasing 203, Bangladesh appeared on course for victory with nine needed off the final over and five wickets in hand. But Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced a stunning spell, taking four wickets in four balls to turn the game on its head and finish with career-best figures of 4 for 42.

The collapse began when Rabeya Khan was trapped leg-before off the first delivery. A run-out followed next ball, before Joty holed out to long-off. When Marufa Akter was adjudged lbw next delivery, Sri Lanka had completed a scarcely believable comeback — defending nine runs with just one conceded in the over.

"We handled the pressure well," said a relieved Athapaththu. "We knew that if we took the game deep, teams could crumble. It wasn't perfect — batting collapses and dropped catches hurt us — but luck smiled at us today."

Hasini Perera anchored Sri Lanka's innings with a sparkling 85 off 99 balls, her maiden ODI fifty, guiding them to 202 all out. Her effort also saw her cross 1,000 career ODI runs.

Despite Joty's valiant 77, Bangladesh's middle-order faltered again. "We keep losing wickets at crucial times," the skipper admitted. "I tried to take the pressure off with a boundary, but it just didn't come off."

The result lifted Sri Lanka to sixth in the standings, level on points with New Zealand and India, while Bangladesh's campaign came to a heartbreaking end.

They will face India in their final match of the tournament on Sunday in Navi Mumbai — seeking redemption after three losses that slipped away in the dying moments.