Bangladesh survive late scare to take 1-0 lead

Bangladesh survived a late scare in the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Rajshahi before eventually crossing the line to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Bangladesh were motoring just fine in pursuit of 206 following a measured knock from Sharmin Akhter. However, when they needed just 7 runs to win with 6 overs remaining in the innings, Bangladesh stuttered to dramatically lose four quick wickets. Sri Lanka could have fancied their chances if they had at least 10 more runs to defend. However, the hosts eventually managed a nervy 3-wicket win.

Bangladesh had actually started off in poor fashion losing both openers inside the first 9 deliveries. By the end of the 9th over, skipper Nigar Sultana was also sent back to the pavilion as Sri Lanka took control of the contest. However, Sharmin joined forces with Sobhana Mostary to stem the rot and stitch a vital partnership to help Bangladesh recover again. Sharmin went on a boundary spree initially and had raced to 30 off just 36 at one point. Sobhana at the other end picked out Kavisha Dilhari for four boundaries in a single over as the game completely turned on its head.

The two batters continued to make merry and put Bangladesh on course for a win when Sobhana had to retire hurt. That didn't deter Bangladesh as Shorna Akhter now partnered with Sharmin to guide Bangladesh further. Sharmin had slowed down considerably towards the end but it didn't matter since the hosts had the game in the bag. However, from 199/3, they just imploded to lose four quick wickets including that of the set batters in the space of 11 deliveries. But with just 6 runs needed, the tail managed to drag their side home in the penultimate over.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka made a start that was in contrast to the one Bangladesh made. Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani made a steady start before picking up pace. The partnership was broken only in the 14th over which was then followed by another quick wicket. But Sri Lanka were able to form another solid partnership when Dulani combined forces with Hansima Karunaratne.

The duo added 56 for the third wicket and even after Dulani's departure for 52, the island nation set themselves up for a big finish at 160/3 after 37 overs. But a terrific combined effort at the end saw Bangladesh claw back into the contest as they kept striking regularly, denying Sri Lanka any momentum whatsoever. Only 34 runs as a result were scored in the final 10 overs which eventually had a huge say on the final outcome.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 205/9 in 50 overs (Hansima Karunaratne 54, Imesha Dulani 52; Ritu Moni 3-36, Nahida Akter 2-38) lost to Bangladesh Women 206/7 in 48.3 overs (Sharmin Akhter 86, Sobhana Mostary 41; Dewmi Vihanga 3-43) by 3 wickets