Women’s World Cup 2025: India claim statement win over New Zealand in Bengaluru warm-up; Bangladesh defeat Sri Lanka

Women’s World Cup 2025: India claim statement win over New Zealand in Bengaluru warm-up; Bangladesh defeat Sri Lanka (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

India and Bangladesh rounded off their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 preparations by claiming victory in their second and final warm-up matches.

Bangladesh showed nerves of steel to defeat Sri Lanka by a single run in a thrilling encounter in Colombo, while India enjoyed a statement win over New Zealand in Bengaluru at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground.

India bounce back with statement win

After defeat to England last time out, India returned to winning ways with a four-wicket win (DLS) over New Zealand.

In a match delayed by the rain, India reduced the White Ferns to 38 for two before Sophie Devine (54), Maddy Green (49 not out) and Amelia Kerr (40) helped them to 232 for eight from 42 overs.

In reply, Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur carried India to the brink of victory with an excellent 132-run stand for the third wicket.

Deol retired out on 74 and a flurry of wickets followed, including Kaur for 69, but India scrambled over the line with 10 balls to spare.

Brief Scores

• India v New Zealand – BCCI Centre of Excellence 1, Bengaluru, India
• New Zealand 232/8 in 42 overs (Sophie Devine 54, Shree Charani 3-49)
• India 237/6 in 40.2 overs (Harleen Deol 74, Harmanpreet Kaur 69, Bree Illing 2-34)
• India win by four wickets (DLS method)

Marufa Akter holds firm to deny hosts

Marufa Akter successfully defended nine runs in the final over to claim victory for Bangladesh in their warm-up match against Sri Lanka.

After the hosts fell from 56 for one to 86 for four, Kaveesha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva scored half-centuries to steady the ship in their pursuit of 243, Sharmin Akhter top-scoring with 71 for Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka were then well set on 218 for five but Nahida Akter dismissed Piumi Wathsala and Anushka Sanjeewani in the 47th over before removing Nilakshika in the 49th to finish with three for 28.

It fell to Marufa to seal victory for her side, the final over bringing three wickets as Sri Lanka fell just short.

Brief Scores

• Bangladesh v Sri Lanka – Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh 242/8 in 50 overs (Sharmin Akhter 71, Kaveesha Dilhari 2/24)
• Sri Lanka 241 in 50 overs (Nilakshika Silva 75, Kaveesha Dilhari 63, Nahida Akter 3/28)
• Result: Bangladesh win by one run

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