Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (4-42) produced a stunning four-wicket spell in the death overs to seal a heart-stopping seven-run win over Bangladesh in a match that went down to the final delivery in the 21st match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at DY Patil Stadium here on Monday. What looked like Bangladesh’s game for the taking was snatched away by Athapaththu’s brilliance as Sri Lanka edged home in dramatic fashion.
Defending 203, Bangladesh needed eight runs to win in the final over but Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu rose to the occasion in stunning fashion to restrict the opposition to 195/9. Bangladesh lost four wickets in the first four deliveries of the over with Athapaththu claiming three of them to seal a dramatic win.
Nigar Sultana Joty (77) top-scored for Bangladesh with valuable support from Sharmin Akter (64*), but their efforts weren’t enough as the team faltered under pressure at the death.
Athapaththu (4/42) emerged as Sri Lanka’s standout performer with the ball with her heroics in the final over sealing the win. Sugandika Kumari (2/29) and Udeshika Prabodhani (1/29) also provided crucial support.
The result keeps Sri Lanka’s semi-final hopes alive while Bangladesh’s campaign comes to an end following their fifth defeat of the tournament.
In the first innings, Bangladesh’s bowlers delivered a collective effort to bowl out Sri Lanka for 202. Sri Lanka had cruised to 174/4 after a solid start from the top order but regular wickets in the death overs meant they just managed to cross the 200-run mark.
Hasini Perera (85) top-scored for the hosts while Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37) also contributed crucial runs. Perera would stitch a determined knock and was eventually adjudged as the Aramco Player of the Match.
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