Sri Lanka Women continued their impressive run on the subcontinent tour with a commanding start to the T20I leg, defeating Bangladesh Women in the opening match at Sylhet to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Riding high after sealing the ODI series 2-1, the visitors carried their momentum into the shortest format, showcasing depth with both bat and ball. At the centre of the performance was captain Chamari Athapaththu, whose all-round brilliance once again proved decisive. Leading from the front, she contributed in both departments to steer Sri Lanka to a 25-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 161 for 4 in their 20 overs. While Athapaththu played a steady knock of 32 runs to anchor the innings, it was the middle-order partnership that truly set the tone. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Imesha Dulani delivered impressive half-centuries, scoring 61 and 55 respectively. Their partnership ensured Sri Lanka maintained a healthy scoring rate through the middle overs and finished strongly.
Bangladesh’s bowling unit had its moments, with Sultana Khatun standing out by picking up two wickets. Support came from Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter, who claimed one wicket each, but they were unable to fully contain the Sri Lankan batters on a surface that offered value for shots.
Chasing 162, Bangladesh got off to a promising start but failed to build substantial partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Early momentum was disrupted when Athapaththu struck with the ball, removing opener Juairiya Ferdous for 16. She later returned to dismiss Sobhana Mostary, applying further pressure on the hosts.
Despite the setbacks, Shorna Akter kept Bangladesh in the hunt with a fighting knock of 60 runs. Displaying composure and attacking intent, she attempted to revive the chase, but her efforts ended in a run-out at a crucial stage, effectively closing the door on Bangladesh’s chances.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack maintained discipline throughout the innings. Alongside Athapaththu, both Malki Madara and Kavisha Dilhari contributed with two wickets each, ensuring Bangladesh were restricted to 136 for 7 in their allotted overs. The victory highlights Sri Lanka’s growing consistency in white-ball cricket, particularly under Athapaththu’s leadership.
Over the past year, the team has shown marked improvement in batting depth and bowling versatility, making them a competitive force in Asian conditions. Their ability to adapt quickly from the ODI format to T20Is reflects a well-balanced squad that blends experience with emerging talent.
For Bangladesh, the loss exposes areas that require attention, especially in the middle order where partnerships failed to materialize. While individual performances like Shorna Akter’s innings provide positives, the team will look to improve their execution under pressure as the series progresses. The second T20I is scheduled to be played on April 30 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, where Bangladesh will aim to bounce back and level the series. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be eager to build on their strong start and seal the series with another convincing performance.
