Sri Lanka captain stars with 3/36 and a quickfire 40 to seal four-wicket win over Bangladesh Women’s National Cricket Team in Rajshahi

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Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu delivered a match-winning all-round performance to help Sri Lanka Women’s National Cricket Team level the ODI series against Bangladesh Women’s National Cricket Team with a convincing four-wicket victory in Rajshahi.

After missing the opening match due to injury, Athapaththu made a strong comeback, claiming 3 for 36 to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total of 165 in 45.5 overs. She struck key blows, removing Sharmin Sultana and Sobhana Mostary in quick succession, before dismissing Ritu Moni for her third wicket.

Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana top-scored with a steady 58 off 101 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. Contributions from Sri Lankan bowlers including Malki Madara, Nimesha Meepage, and Inoka Ranaweera ensured the hosts were kept under pressure throughout the innings.

In response, Athapaththu led from the front with an aggressive 40 off 39 balls, hitting eight boundaries and setting the tone for the chase. Despite a brief moment of tension following her dismissal by Nahida Akhter, Sri Lanka stayed on course.

A crucial 79-run partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne steadied the innings. Samarawickrama anchored the chase with a composed 50, while Karunaratne added a valuable 40, guiding Sri Lanka closer to the target.

Nahida Akhter impressed with the ball for Bangladesh, finishing with a four-wicket haul, but it wasn’t enough to stop Sri Lanka from successfully chasing down 166.

With the series now tied 1-1, the decisive third ODI will take place in Rajshahi on April 25, setting up an exciting finale between the two sides.