Despite a spirited bowling display led by pacer Marufa Akter while defending a modest total, Bangladesh Women fell to a 4-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in their final Women’s Asia Cup group-stage encounter. With this victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka topped the group to seal their semi-final berth, leaving Bangladesh as group runners-up.
Opting to field after winning the toss, Sri Lanka restricted Bangladesh to 114 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, the Lankans chased down the target, reaching 118 for 6 with 4 balls to spare. Harshitha Samarawickrama anchored the chase with an unbeaten 48 off 37 balls. Fast bowler Marufa Akter was the standout performer for Bangladesh, taking 3 for 21. Following this loss, Bangladesh is set to face a formidable Indian side in the semi-finals, whereas Sri Lanka enters the last four with a relatively favorable draw.
Defending 114, Bangladesh put Sri Lanka under severe pressure early on, reducing them to 44 for 5 as Marufa tore through the top order, dismissing Chamari Athapaththu and Imesha Dulani before returning late to claim another vital breakthrough. However, a crucial 38-run partnership for the sixth wicket alongside Harshitha’s composure steered Sri Lanka home. Earlier in the match, brief starts by openers Juclairia Ferdous Jony (14 off 10) and Dilara Akter (26) failed to translate into a large total following a middle-order collapse. Contributions from Sobhana Mostary (34) and Fahima Khatun (14 off 13) ultimately propelled the Tigresses past the hundred-run mark.
