It was the kind of finish that breaks hearts and builds rivalry. Under the DY Patil lights, Bangladesh Women came tantalisingly close — seven runs short of a win against Sri Lanka that would have been announced with a bang. Chasing 203, they were 194 for 5 when, in four balls, they lost four wickets, changing the tale from one of doggedness to one of chaos. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, with Chamari Athapaththu’s hand guiding them, wrenched the game from the edge. Bangladesh Women, for all their reason for pride, are another night of what-ifs.
A Cautious Chase That Never Shifted Gears
Bangladesh’s batting resembled a slow-burning candle flickery, glowy, but never bright enough. They started very gingerly after being set a target of 203, fumbling to 24 for 2 in the first ten overs. Fargana Hoque’s scratchy 7 off 35 and Rubya Haider’s early exit signaled the type of chase that was built on survival rather than dominance. Validating his form later, Sharmin Akhter (64 off 103) and captain Nigar Sultana (77 off 98) added substance to the innings with an alliance of 132 runs, but at a snail’s pace. At 176 for 3, 27 runs were needed off 30 balls with seven wickets in hand, but as had been said previously, there were no gears left in the innings. No one took the initiative to finish it off.
Chamari Athapaththu’s Late-Over Magic
Chamari Athapaththu led the way for Sri Lanka with the bat (46 runs off 43 balls) as well as the ball in the defence. Her last spell was theatre. With Bangladesh needing nine runs in the last over, Athapaththu grabbed four wickets in four balls Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Nigar Sultana, and Marufa Akter in a sparkling break-up. Her figures of 10-0-42-4 turned what looked like a consolation spell into a match-winning masterclass. Every ball was crammed with drama: one was pad, one was edge, one forced a mis-hit into the hands of long-off.
The Cost of Playing Catch-Up — Literally and Figuratively
If it is moments that define a contest, Bangladesh let too many go. Earlier, at 72 for 2, Sri Lanka were staggering when Hasini Perera was dropped early on – and she went on to make 85, the innings that defined the match. Add to that ten catches dropped altogether (yes, ten!) and the story tells itself. The fielding of Bangladesh was full of lapses and low energy, though that is usually their strongest department. Even though the ball was in hand, Shorna Akter’s brilliant 3 for 27 kept them in it, but the other bowlers were leaking boundaries at a crucial time. The late run-out mix-up, which involved Nahida Akter, summed up the night: hesitation, confusion, and lack of clarity at vital moments.
How the Match Slipped Away
At 176 for 3, Bangladesh looked set to conjure up a famous chase. But an inability to finish and the inability to manage pressure turned the match from a title-hopeful chase into a wretched meltdown. Sri Lanka prospered from Bangladesh’s uncertainty: disciplined and opportunistic. Hasini Perera’s 85 gifted them runs, Chamari’s spell gifted them belief, while it was Bangladesh’s nerves that gifted them the win.
FAQs
1: What was the turning point in the BAN-W vs SL-W match?
Chamari Athapaththu’s four wickets in four balls during the final over completely flipped the result.
2: Who was the standout performer for Sri Lanka?
Hasini Perera’s 85 off 99 anchored Sri Lanka’s total and earned her Player of the Match.
3: Why did Bangladesh lose despite being close to victory?
Their ultra-cautious approach and a collapse under pressure in the final overs cost them the game.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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