Bangladesh crash out after seven-run loss against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka held their nerve in a nail-biting ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash to knock Bangladesh out of the tournament in Navi Mumbai on Monday. Defending 203, Bangladesh needed eight runs off the final over but Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu rose to the occasion in stunning fashion. Bangladesh lost four wickets in the first four balls of the over with Athapaththu claiming three of them to seal a dramatic win.

The result keeps Sri Lanka's semi-final hopes alive while Bangladesh's campaign comes to an end following their fifth defeat of the tournament.

Bangladesh looked well on course to win at one stage. After a poor start that saw Rubya Haider fall for a duck and when they were left reeling at 44/3, the chase was revived by a superb 82-run partnership between Sharmin Akhter and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty.

Sharmin and Joty kept the scoreboard ticking to put Bangladesh in control. At 176/4, they needed only 27 runs from the final five overs and appeared to be cruising. But Sri Lanka had other plans and their bowlers held their nerve brilliantly with just 12 needed of the final two overs.

Athapaththu led from the front with eight runs to defend in the final over, conceding just a single run while claiming the crucial wicket of Joty among her three scalps. Bangladesh were left heartbroken, falling agonisingly short of what once seemed a certain victory.

Earlier, Sri Lanka struck early in their defence of 203, claiming three wickets before Bangaldesh clawed their way back in the game to leave the contest finely poised.

The hosts claimed their first breakthrough through Udeshika Prabodhani, who got a wicket in her very first over. The spinner dismissed Rubya Haider for a duck who edged behind to the keeper while attempting to push at a delivery. Haque then lost her wicket soon after her powerplay as she was run out before Sobhana Mostary fell to Sugandika Kumari.

However, Bangaldesh responded in great fashion with Sharmin Akter and captain Nigar Sultana Joty putting up a solid 100-run partnership. Joty and Sharmin both struck fifties to bring Bangladesh back in the contest before Sri Lanka fought back brillliantly towards the death.

In the first innings, Bangladesh's bowlers delivered a collective effort to bowl out Sri Lanka for 202 in their World Cup clash in Navi Mumbai. Sri Lanka had cruised to 174/4 after a solid start from the top order but regular wickets in the death overs meant they just managed to cross the 200-run mark.

Hasini Perera (85) top-scored for the hosts while Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37) also contributed valuable runs. Perera, the last of the trio to fall, found little support at the other end as Bangladesh continued to strike at regular intervals.

Shorna Akter (3/27) was the standout performer with the ball well supported by Rabeya Khatun (2/39) while Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter and Nahida Akter chipped in with a wicket each.

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, momentum swung firmly back in Bangladesh's favour as their spinners tightened the screws on Sri Lanka. Silva's dismissal in the 32nd over triggered a collapse and Perera's dismissal - who struck 13 fours and a six in her innings - soon after deepened the slump.

Shorna Akter ripped through the middle order with three key strikes as Sri Lanka managed only 27 runs while losing four wickets between overs 31 and 40. From there, it was only a matter of time before Bangladesh cleaned up the tail. Though Udeshika Prabodhani and Malki Madara held on until the penultimate over, the lack of runs made their resistance in vain.

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.

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