Sri Lanka survived a tense, low scoring encounter against Bangladesh, edging past them by four wickets to confirm their place in the semi finals. An unbeaten 48 from 37 deliveries by Harshitha Samarawickrama proved decisive, guiding the reigning champions home after a nervy chase. Having topped Group B, Sri Lanka will now face the runner up from Group A this coming Friday.
Chasing a modest 115, the innings began disastrously as Chamudi Praboda’s exceptional bowling figures of 3 for 21, her finest in international cricket, restricted Bangladesh earlier in the day. Marufa Akter then struck twice inside the powerplay, dismissing both Sri Lankan openers and leaving the innings wobbling at five down for 44 by the tenth over. Samarawickrama, however, held firm through the middle phase, anchoring the innings before accelerating brilliantly in the closing stages. Her assault on the bowlers during the sixteenth and eighteenth overs, including two towering sixes, turned the equation from difficult to trivial, and the match concluded on the second delivery of the final over.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s own innings had been kept in check by disciplined spin bowling. Dilara Akter’s brisk 26 gave them momentum before Praboda intervened, removing the dangerous batter along with a well set Sobhana Mostary, both dismissals coming within the same over. Bangladesh eventually settled for 114 for 8, a total that appeared insufficient given their strong position earlier in the innings.
Chamari Athapaththu endured a forgettable outing, being dropped twice while bowling and departing cheaply with the bat, caught attempting an aggressive shot off Marufa.
This victory extended Sri Lanka’s dominant record against Bangladesh, marking their seventh straight triumph over their neighbours in this format.
