Bangladesh’s ICC Women's World Cup campaign ended in an agonizingly dramatic defeat.
They needed 9 runs off the last over with five wickets in hand. Still, they failed to achieve that.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced a stunning four-wicket final over, including a run out, to snatch a seven-run win in a match that swung wildly until the very end at the DY Patil Stadium on Monday night.
Chasing 203, Bangladesh looked in control for most of their innings, anchored by captain Nigar Sultana’s composed 77 off 98 balls and Sharmin Akhter’s unbeaten 64, but a late collapse saw them lose four wickets in four balls in the final over — all but sealing their exit from the tournament.
The chase had begun steadily despite early setbacks. Fargana Hoque’s sluggish 7 off 35 deliveries and Rubya Haider’s early dismissal left Bangladesh wobbling at 24 for 2.
But Nigar and Sharmin stitched together a patient 82-run partnership that rebuilt the innings and put Bangladesh firmly on course. When Sharmin retired hurt with cramps on 64, Bangladesh were 126 for 3 — still comfortably placed.
The real drama began with 12 needed off 12 balls. Sri Lanka’s fielders, who had dropped chances earlier, suddenly came alive.
Athapaththu, who had already dismissed Shorna Akter and Mehidy Ritu earlier, returned for the final over with Bangladesh needing nine runs. What followed was one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.
In an extraordinary spell, Athapaththu trapped Rabeya Khan lbw, then triggered a run-out off the next ball.
Nigar, who had held Bangladesh’s chase together, mistimed a lofted drive to long-off — her dismissal effectively ending Bangladesh’s hopes. A fourth wicket followed immediately after, as Marufa Akter was pinned leg before.
Bangladesh slumped from 194 for 5 to 194 for 9, before Sharmin could even face another delivery.
Sri Lanka celebrated as if they had won a final.
Athapaththu, who finished with figures of 4 for 42, was visibly emotional.
“We kept fighting till the last over,” she said afterward. “It wasn’t our best game, but we believed anything could happen if we took it deep.”
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, head bowed as the team huddled in silence, called it “heartbreaking.”
“From the start, it was our game,” she said. “But losing wickets in key moments cost us again. We’ve lost three games like this. It hurts.”
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 202 after Hasini Perera’s gritty 85 off 99 balls held their innings together.
For Bangladesh, Shorna Akter was exceptional with 3 for 27, keeping the target within reach.
But in the end, it was Sri Lanka’s captain who had the final say.