Bangladesh held their nerve to seal a nail-biting win over Sri Lanka by a single run in their warm-up fixture just before the World Cup kicks off on September 30.
It proved to be the ideal hit out after their respective warm-ups were called off due to rain with fewer than 10 overs played two days ago.
Despite a faltering start where the Sri Lankan scorecard fell from 56/1 to 86.4, Kaveesha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva held their guard to post commanding half-centuries and guide Sri Lanka in the chase.
Dilhari’s anchoring 63-run knock came to an unfortunate end when the bat slipped off her bat and hit the stumps following a good shot over mid-wicket. Despite the blow, Silva kept going, helping herself to 75 off 78 before falling in the penultimate over.
Marufa Akter sealed the win off the final over by defending nine runs, with able help from Nahida Akter, whose 3-28 from her 10 overs changed the course of the game.
Earlier, after Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a solid start when a beautiful inswinging delivery from Udeshika Prabodhani dismissed Farzana Haque on the first ball of the second over.
However, Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akter steadied the innings, putting together a 90-run partnership. Kaveesha Dilhari then struck for Sri Lanka, claiming the wickets of Rubya Haider and Sobhana Mostary in quick succession.
After the halfway stage, the Sri Lankan bowlers kept things tight, never allowing Bangladesh to build big partnerships and striking at regular intervals. Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, and Kaveesha Dilhari stood out with the ball, each picking up two wickets.
Sri Lanka managed to restrict Bangladesh to 242/8, who managed the total thanks to Sharmin Akter’s 71.
Both teams’ next assignment will be at the World Cup, where Sri Lanka will take on India in the tournament opener in Guwahati on September 30, while Bangladesh face Pakistan in Colombo on October 2 in their first game.
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