Experience the excitement as Sri Lanka edges out Bangladesh in a nail-biting World Cup 2025 clash, led by Athapaththu’s stellar performance. Read more!
Introduction:
Sri Lanka held their nerve in a pulsating finish under the floodlights at DY Patil Stadium, beating Bangladesh by seven runs to keep their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign alive. Hasini Perera’s elegant 85 anchored Sri Lanka’s innings, while captain Chamari Athapaththu’s all-round excellence – 46 runs and 4 wickets – sealed the victory that came down to the final over.
Bangladesh, guided by Fargana Hoque Sultana’s fighting 77 and Sharmin Akhter’s unbeaten 64, came agonizingly close to pulling off one of their biggest World Cup chases. But the Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Athapaththu’s strategic brilliance and Inoka Ranaweera’s containment at the death, ensured they defended 202 with unyielding discipline. It was a night that tested resolve, highlighted heart, and solidified Sri Lanka’s resurgence in the tournament. See also: England Women Hold Nerve in Final-Over Tension to Beat India by 4 Runs
Hasini Perera and Athapaththu Power Sri Lanka to 202
After being asked to bat first on a pitch offering early movement, Sri Lanka endured a shaky start. Both openers fell inside the first five overs, courtesy of disciplined new-ball spells from Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter. The early losses placed immense pressure on the seasoned captain Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera, but the duo responded with calculated aggression.
Athapaththu, known for her fearless intent, wasted no time asserting control. She struck boundaries square on both sides and used her feet brilliantly against spin. More than her power hitting, what stood out was her game sense — farming the strike, shielding the lower order, and building confidence in her partner, Hasini.
Hasini, calm and composed, blossomed beautifully into the innings. She started watchfully, dealing in singles early, before accelerating once set. Her drives through the covers and deft placements behind point showed her range and subtlety. Together, the pair added 96 runs for the third wicket – the partnership that defined Sri Lanka’s innings.
Athapaththu fell for a gritty 46, mistiming an aerial shot off Shorna Akter, but Hasini continued to anchor beautifully. She found support from Kavisha Dilhari, as the pair added vital runs deep into the innings. Hasini’s 85, packed with nine boundaries, was a mature knock built on timing and temperament.
Bangladesh’s bowlers did well to restrict Sri Lanka in the final overs. Shorna Akter, with her probing off-spin, claimed 3 for 27, while Rabeya Khan’s control through the middle overs (2 for 39) prevented Sri Lanka from racing beyond 220. Still, Sri Lanka’s total of 202 was competitive, especially on a surface gripping slightly under lights.
Bangladesh’s Steady Start Marred by Early Pressure
Chasing 203 for victory, Bangladesh got off to a measured start. Murshida Khatun struck a few crisp boundaries to relieve early tension, but her dismissal in the fifth over opened the door for Sri Lanka. Fargana Hoque Sultana, Bangladesh’s most consistent batter of the tournament, took command of the innings from there.
Sultana played with signature class — firm defense, elegant rotation, and impeccable placement. She found a reliable partner in Sharmin Akhter, whose patience and composure stabilized the innings. The pair combined for a valuable 98-run partnership that revived Bangladesh after early hiccups.
Their approach was measured rather than rushed — nudging singles, punishing loose deliveries, and exploiting gaps when Sri Lanka over-attacked. Sultana’s fifty came off 61 balls, a well-earned milestone that showcased her experience and calm in pressure situations.
As Bangladesh approached the 100-run mark, momentum began to tilt their way. The runs required per over remained manageable, and Sri Lanka’s spinners briefly looked out of ideas. However, the reintroduction of Athapaththu in the 32nd over changed everything.
Athapaththu’s Magic Breaks Bangladesh’s Backbone
Having contributed with the bat, Chamari Athapaththu turned the match around with the ball in hand. Her first over broke the flourishing stand as she deceived Sultana with a flighted delivery that dipped late, forcing a false stroke. The well-set batter edged behind for 77, leaving Bangladesh stunned and Sri Lanka back in contention.
Athapaththu’s celebration — fist clenched, a shout of release — reflected what the wicket meant. From there, she unleashed a mesmerizing spell of flight, turn, and accuracy that choked Bangladesh’s ambitions.
Nigar Sultana Joty, the Bangladesh captain, fell cheaply trying to cut a quicker one, and the incoming lower middle order wilted under pressure. Athapaththu’s double-wicket over in the 40th flattened Bangladesh’s resistance; by then, her figures read 3 for 22 in six overs.
When she returned to claim her fourth wicket — a slower, drifting delivery that rattled the stumps of Fahima Khatun — the smiles in the Sri Lankan camp told the story. Bangladesh’s required run rate had climbed beyond 9 an over, and the calculation began shifting from chase to damage limitation.
Sharmin’s Lone Resistance Falls Short
Sharmin Akhter, who had held one end steadfastly for much of the innings, tried valiantly to carry Bangladesh home. Her unbeaten 64 was a monument to concentration and courage. She battled cramps late in the innings but continued running hard between wickets, even as partners at the other end fell rapidly.
Her approach — mixing strike rotation with occasional aggression — mirrored determination rather than desperation. Yet, even she found it hard to find boundaries in the final overs as the Sri Lankan fielders tightened their ring and bowlers nailed their lengths.
With 20 runs required off the last two overs, Sharmin’s efforts nearly reignited hope. A couple of late twos and a lofted four swelled the noise in the Bangladesh dugout, but Inoka Ranaweera’s final over held firm. Using her loop and experience, she closed out the innings clinically, leaving Bangladesh stranded at 195 for 9.
As the winning moment arrived — a mistimed heave caught by long-on — the Sri Lankan players erupted in joy, embracing their captain under the floodlights. It was a hard-fought victory, reflective of their increasing maturity as a team capable of clawing back under pressure.
The Defining Difference: Experience and Execution
The match boiled down to composure in decisive moments. Sri Lanka’s seasoned players — Athapaththu, Hasini, and Ranaweera — thrived under pressure, while Bangladesh’s relatively younger unit briefly lost grip during transition phases.
Athapaththu’s reads of conditions, understanding of angles, and control over her field placements demonstrated why she remains one of the world’s premier all-rounders. Her influence was everywhere — in the dressing room leadership, her aggressive batting, and her tactical bowling spells that changed momentum precisely when needed.
For Bangladesh, Sultana’s fighting 77 and Sharmin’s grit stood out, but a lack of finishing firepower and lower-order composure cost them dearly. Still, their fighting spirit against a more experienced side won them deserved appreciation from the crowd.
What the Result Means
With this victory, Sri Lanka not only strengthened their semi-final hopes but also showcased their ability to close out tense finishes — something they’ve struggled with historically in major tournaments. Their combination of skill and spirit looks increasingly complete.
Bangladesh will rue missed chances — dropped catches, singles turned into dots, and an inability to accelerate at crucial moments. Yet, as an emerging force in women’s cricket, they continue to show growth, especially in temperament and structure.
As both teams move into the business end of the group stage, Sri Lanka’s revival at DY Patil could prove a turning point in their campaign.
