A captain’s performance under pressure turned the tide in Rajshahi as Chamari Athapaththu delivered a match-winning all-round display to help Sri Lanka level the ODI series 1-1 against Bangladesh Women’s National Cricket Team. Chasing a modest target of 166, Sri Lanka reached 166 for 6, sealing a four-wicket win and setting up a decisive series finale on April 25.
The match unfolded as a contest of momentum swings, but Sri Lanka’s composure in key moments ultimately proved decisive. After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 165 in 45.5 overs. While the surface in Rajshahi offered some assistance to bowlers, Bangladesh’s inability to accelerate in the middle overs cost them a more competitive total.
Captain Nigar Sultana stood tall amid the collapse, anchoring the innings with a patient 58 off 101 balls, striking four boundaries. However, her effort lacked substantial support from the rest of the batting lineup. Early setbacks, including the dismissal of Sharmin Akhter for a duck, put Bangladesh on the back foot from the outset.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, led by Athapaththu, capitalized on the pressure. The skipper, returning after missing the first ODI due to a finger injury, made an immediate impact. She picked up three crucial wickets, including that of Sarmin Sultana, whose lbw dismissal sparked visible disagreement, and Sobhana Mostary, who fell in the very next over. Athapaththu’s third wicket came courtesy of a sharp catch at mid-off by Nilakshika Silva, removing Ritu Moni at a critical juncture.
Support came from across the bowling unit. Malki Madara, Nimesha Meepage, and Inoka Ranaweera chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring Bangladesh never found rhythm. Their disciplined lines and clever variations restricted scoring opportunities and forced errors.
In response, Sri Lanka’s chase began with intent but soon hit a few bumps. Athapaththu led from the front with an aggressive 40 off just 39 deliveries, peppered with eight boundaries. Her attacking approach set the tone early, even as wickets fell at the other end. However, her dismissal to Nahida Akter in the 17th over briefly shifted momentum back to Bangladesh. The moment carried added intensity, with Nahida celebrating emphatically, prompting a prolonged stare from Athapaththu before she walked off.
At that stage, the match hung in the balance. That’s when the partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne steadied the innings. The duo stitched together a vital 79-run stand for the fourth wicket, effectively taking the game away from Bangladesh. Samarawickrama showcased composure and control, bringing up a well-crafted 50 off 76 balls, including seven boundaries. Karunaratne complemented her perfectly with a fluent 40 off 64 deliveries, striking six fours. Their partnership blended patience with timely aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required rate.
Nahida Akter emerged as Bangladesh’s standout bowler, finishing with an impressive 4-wicket haul. She dismissed both set batters and added another scalp to keep Bangladesh in contention. However, the lack of scoreboard pressure meant Sri Lanka had enough cushion to close out the game despite late wickets.
This victory highlights Sri Lanka’s growing resilience in women’s cricket, especially under Athapaththu’s leadership. Known as one of the most impactful all-rounders in the game, her ability to influence matches with both bat and ball continues to be central to Sri Lanka’s success. Her return clearly lifted the side after their defeat in the first ODI.
For Bangladesh, the match exposed familiar challenges- over-reliance on their captain and inconsistent middle-order contributions. While their bowling showed promise, particularly through Nahida, defending a below-par total always left little margin for error.
With the series now tied at 1-1, both teams head into the final ODI with everything to play for. The decider in Rajshahi presents an opportunity for Sri Lanka to complete a comeback, while Bangladesh will aim to regroup and clinch the series at home.
As the stakes rise, the spotlight will once again be on key performers and if this match was any indication, another closely fought contest is on the cards.
