Shorna shines as Bangladesh restrict Sri Lanka to 202

Shorna Akter struck thrice in quick succession for Bangladesh to leave Sri Lanka eight down in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash in Navi Mumbai.

Nilakshika Silva and Hasini Perera had revived the innings with a crucial 74-run partnership, capitalising on a few dropped chances after Sri Lanka were struggling at 100/4 before the 20th over. However, Shorna broke the stand at a crucial juncture, dismissing Silva when she miscued a shot and was caught at short third.

Shorna struck again soon after by removing Anushka Sanjeewani, who got a top edge while trying to flick across the line and offered a simple return catch.

Bangladesh kept the pressure on by dismissing Sugandika Kumari in the very next over before Shorna returned to get the big wicket of Hasini Perera. Perera (85), who struck 13 fours and a six in her innings, fell cheaply in the end as she was trapped LBW while attempting a reverse sweep.

After the dismissal of Chamari Athapaththu, Bangladesh tightened their grip by removing Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kaveesha Dilhari in quick time.

Samarawickrama was the first to go, as she was run out and Dilhari's dismissal came in unusual fashion before the end of the 20th over. The ball took an inside edge and it ricocheted off wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana Joty before clipping the bails with Dilhari's back foot in the air during the moment of impact.

Earlier on, Bangladesh got off to a perfect start with a wicket coming off the very first ball of the innings as Marufa Akter trapped Gunaratne LBW. The batter attempted to play across the line and although given not out initially, Bangladesh reviewed successfully after ball tracking showed all three reds.

Athapaththu then combined with Hasini Perera to steady the innings, adding 72 runs for the second wicket. The Sri Lankan captain looked in fine touch, striking six boundaries and two sixes, before Rabeya Khatun broke the stand. Athapaththu was struck on the pad while attempting to defend and the umpire had no hesitation in raising the finger, leaving Sri Lanka two down.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first against Bangladesh in a do-or-die match in Navi Mumbai.

While both the teams are at two points each, Bangladesh have earned theirs through a solitary win in their opening clash against Pakistan. On the other hand, Sri Lanka opened their account due to washed-out games in Colombo and are yet to notch up a single win, in a rain-marred tournament for them.

Bangladesh are yet to defeat Sri Lanka in ODIs, and would hope to change history today to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Marufa, Nahida return as Bangladesh sent to bowl first

Star pacer Marufa Akter and left-arm spinner Nahida Akter returned to the XI as Bangladesh lost the toss and were asked to bowl first against Sri Lanka in their penultimate league stage match at the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, India on Monday.

Marufa and Nahida were left out of the side for their previous match, which they lost by 10 wickets against defending champions Australia. They return to the XI in place of Fahima Khatun and Fariha Trisna.

The Tigresses are placed sixth with one win and four defeats and have a very slim chance of making it to the semifinals. However, a loss today against Sri Lanka would seal their exit.

The Lankans, on the other hand, are yet to win a match in the tournament. They are placed seventh with two points, earned through a couple of no results, while their other three matches ended in defeats.

Bangladesh: Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana Joty (c, wk), Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Nishita Akter, Marufa Akter

Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka Ranaweera, Udeshika Prabodhani