Sri Lanka Women edged past Bangladesh Women by seven runs in a last-over thriller at the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai. Sri Lanka posted 202 runs in 48.4 overs. Hasini Perera played a brilliant knock, while Chamari Athapaththu and Nilakshi de Silva contributed quick runs. Shorna Akter (3/27 in 10 overs) and Rabeya Khatun kept things tight and did not allow the batters to score freely.

While chasing, Bangladesh looked in control until the final moments. Sugandika Kumari bowled out Ritu Moni, triggering a dramatic collapse. Chamari Athapaththu took three wickets in the last over, sealing a stunning win. The late collapse cost Bangladesh the game as Sri Lanka snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Sri Lanka’s Batting Falters After a Promising Start

Sri Lanka’s innings also went through ups and downs. After a good start, a middle-order collapse left them struggling. Hasini Perera was the standout performer with her maiden international fifty — a bright spot in a largely inconsistent batting effort.

She scored 50 and was one of only three batters to reach double figures, along with Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37). Both Athapaththu and Hasini achieved personal milestones during their innings — reaching 4000 and 1000 ODI runs respectively. Hasini was later named Player of the Match.

Shorna Akter Strikes Again with the Ball

For Bangladesh, Shorna Akter was impressive once again. Introduced midway through the innings, she took 3 for 27, including key wickets of Hasini and Nilakshika. Except for Ritu Moni, every Bangladeshi bowler took at least one wicket.

Despite some sloppy fielding — with missed run-outs and stumpings — Bangladesh managed to stay in the contest. Their reviews were accurate, and they used the Smart Replay system effectively, one of which led to a bizarre dismissal of Kavisha Dilhari.

Dramatic Dismissal Adds Spark to Diwali Atmosphere

In one of the game’s most unusual moments, Dilhari chopped the ball into the ground. It bounced off the wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana’s gloves and dislodged the bails as Dilhari’s back foot lifted momentarily. The Smart Replay system confirmed the stumping, lighting up the bails — a perfect Diwali tribute.

That wicket triggered a collapse, taking Sri Lanka from 72 for 1 to 100 for 4. Their decision to replace all-rounder Piumi Wathsala with seamer Udeshika Prabodani left them short of batting depth.

Hasini and Nilakshika Steady the Ship

Despite the setback, Hasini and Nilakshika built a crucial 74-run partnership off just 75 balls. They found the boundary often, but struggled to rotate the strike. Their aggressive batting brought temporary control back to Sri Lanka, though the run rate stayed below six an over.

Nilakshika’s dismissal — a mistimed shot caught at short third — sparked another collapse. Sri Lanka lost three wickets for eight runs, slowing their scoring further. They were eventually bowled out with eight balls to spare, managing only 28 runs in their final 103 deliveries.

Nigar Sultana’s Steady Knock Goes in Vain

For most of the chase, Sri Lanka looked second-best. Bangladesh managed the innings well for about 48 overs, with Nigar Sultana leading the way. But the final few overs turned the game upside down.

Nigar Sultana anchored Bangladesh’s innings with a composed 77 off 98 balls. She shared two key partnerships — 82 runs with Sharmin Akhter and 50 with Shorna Akter. During this phase, Sri Lanka struggled to make an impact and appeared directionless.

Bangladesh Lose Control in Final Overs

However, Bangladesh’s cautious approach proved costly. On a pitch that did not offer much to the spinners, Sri Lanka’s bowlers focused on keeping things tight. Bangladesh’s slow scoring rate meant they had little room for error later, and when wickets started falling, there was no way back.

Chamari Athapaththu bowled a sensational final over, taking three wickets and conceding just two runs. Her figures of 4 for 42 came largely from that over. Bangladesh lost four wickets in the space of four balls — including a run-out — which prevented Athapaththu from getting ahat-trick.

Brief Scorecard