Bangladesh became the first team to be eliminated from the semifinal race in the 2025 Women’s World Cup after squandering a golden opportunity to claim their maiden ODI victory against Sri Lanka. In a low-scoring contest in Navi Mumbai, they appeared in control needing just 12 runs off the final 12 balls with six wickets remaining, but suffered a dramatic collapse to lose by seven runs.
Sri Lanka gets bowled out on just 202
Sri Lanka endured a disastrous start as Vishmi Gunaratne was dismissed lbw off the very first ball of the match. However, Chamari Athapaththu quickly lifted the innings with a flurry of boundaries, displaying her trademark aggressive style. Partnering with Hasini Perera, she helped Sri Lanka seize early control of the game. The pair took full advantage of the powerplay, racing to 64 runs in the first ten overs. But Athapaththu’s dismissal, falling lbw against the run of play, slowed the scoring rate as Bangladesh regained some control.
Bangladesh capitalized on that momentum by picking up key wickets to reduce Sri Lanka to 100/4, putting them on the back foot. Just when it seemed the innings might unravel, Hasini Perera joined forces with Nilakshi de Silva to stage a crucial recovery. Their 74-run partnership brought stability and momentum back to Sri Lanka’s innings, positioning them for a competitive finish despite the earlier stumbles.
However, much like Bangladesh’s collapse later in the night, Sri Lanka too failed to build on their platform, losing their final six wickets for just 28 runs to be bowled out for 202. Hasini, who looked on course for a maiden century, was forced to take risks as wickets tumbled around her and eventually fell for a fine 85. Her innings turned out to be decisive as Sri Lanka managed to defend the modest total, keeping their faint semifinal hopes alive even as they continue to face an uphill battle for the fourth spot.
Bangladesh lose and crash out of the semi final race
Bangladesh began their chase cautiously after losing an early wicket in the second over, before Sharmin Akter injected some momentum with a six to release the pressure. However, Sri Lanka soon regained control when Fargana Hoque’s painful struggle at the crease ended with a run-out after scoring just seven off 35 balls. Sugandika Kumari then struck to deepen Bangladesh’s troubles at 44/3. At that critical moment, captain Nigar Sultana joined the well-set Sharmin to lead the recovery and stabilize the innings.
The pair adopted a patient approach, focusing on building a partnership rather than chasing the target aggressively. With the run rate dipping below three an over, Bangladesh looked intent on playing the long game. At the halfway stage, the scoreboard read 73, before Sharmin broke the shackles with a couple of crisp boundaries off Chamari Athapaththu. Gradually, Sultana found her rhythm, and the duo began to turn the momentum in Bangladesh’s favor, putting the chase back on track.
A twist came when Sharmin was forced to retire hurt, creating an opening for Sri Lanka. However, Shorna Akter joined Nigar Sultana and ensured there was no collapse. Together, they kept the chase steady, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Sultana’s composed innings brought her to a well-deserved fifty, and Bangladesh looked poised for victory with just 27 needed off the final 30 balls and seven wickets still in hand. The game seemed all but over, with Bangladesh cruising toward what appeared to be their first-ever ODI win over Sri Lanka.
But the script flipped dramatically in the final overs. Shorna’s dismissal triggered a nervous stutter, and even with only 12 required off the last two overs and six wickets remaining, panic set in. Sugandika Kumari bowled a brilliant penultimate over, dismissing a batter and tightening the equation to 9 off 6. Athapaththu then took charge of the final over, starting with an lbw against Rabeya Khan before a mix-up led to Nahida Akter’s run-out while trying to get Sultana back on strike. With 9 needed off four balls, Bangladesh’s hopes rested on their captain, but Sultana’s mistimed shot found a fielder, sealing their fate. Even Sharmin’s return to bat couldn’t change the outcome, as Bangladesh endured a heart-wrenching seven-run defeat.
Scorecard: Sri Lanka 202 in 48.4 overs (Hasini Perera 85, Chamari Athapaththu 46; Shorna Akter 3/27) beat Bangladesh 195/9 in 50 overs (Nigar Sultana 77, Sharmin Akter 64*; Chamari Athapaththu 4/42) by 7 runs.