Bangladesh Women registered a historic three-wicket win over Sri Lanka Women in the first ODI of a three-match series at Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi on April 20, 2026. It was Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI win against Sri Lanka Women, though they nearly threw it away when needing just seven runs to win.
Sharmin Akhter top-scored with 86 off 127 balls to anchor the chase of 206. Ritu Moni claimed 3 for 36 with the ball to restrict Sri Lanka to 205 for 9. Bangladesh won in 48.3 overs, with nine balls to spare.
Bangladesh Collapse But Hold Their Nerve
The chase went smoothly until the 44th over. From 199 for 3, Bangladesh lost four wickets for just one run in the space of 11 deliveries. Sharmin was stumped by Inoka Ranaweera for 86, bringing the innings to a sudden halt. Offspinner Dewmi Vihanga then removed Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni in the 46th over, both caught attempting big hits. Rabeya Khan followed immediately, caught in the deep, playing a poor shot.
Bangladesh were suddenly 200 for 7, still six runs short. Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun steadied themselves and knocked off the remaining runs in nervy fashion. Sri Lanka helped Bangladesh across the line with a wide and a misfield from Malki Madara in the covers.
Vihanga finished with 3 for 43, but it was not enough.
Sharmin Akhter Anchors the Chase
Bangladesh’s top order fell apart early. Both openers were back in the pavilion inside the first nine deliveries. Sarmin Sultana was bowled by Madara for a duck, and debutant Juairiya Ferdous was caught at mid-on off Nimasha Meepage for five. Skipper Nigar Sultana was then given out lbw to Vihanga, leaving Bangladesh at 34 for 3 in the ninth over.
Sharmin and Sobhana Mostary rebuilt the innings with an 87-run partnership. Mostary made 41 off 56 balls before she had to retire hurt with severe cramps in the 28th over and was stretchered off the field. Sharmin continued with Shorna Akter, adding another 78 runs for the next wicket. Sharmin struck 13 fours during her 127-ball effort, her highest score against Sri Lanka, surpassing her 64 not out at the DY Patil Stadium during last year’s World Cup.
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Sri Lanka failed to post a defendable total
Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first. Hasini Perera, standing in as captain with Chamari Athapaththu absent due to a finger injury, and Imesha Dulani gave them a solid start of 68 for the first wicket. Ritu Moni broke the partnership in the 14th over, trapping Perera lbw with an inswinger. She then removed Harshitha Samarawickrama the following over with a caught and bowled.
Dulani and Hansima Karunaratne rebuilt with a 52-run stand. Dulani made 54 before being caught at mid-off, and Karunaratne fell for 54 off 71 balls. Sri Lanka lost momentum sharply after that, managing only 34 runs in the final 10 overs. Nahida Akter took 2 for 38, while Moni’s three wickets proved the difference.
The second ODI is the next fixture in the three-match series.
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