BAN W VS SL W WARM UP%20ODI

Right, Bangladesh Women have taken away a nail-biting victory, a RESILIENT performance that will give them massive confidence heading into the ODI World Cup. For Sri Lanka Women, this was a tough but valuable test of nerves and execution under pressure. That’s all from this pulsating fixture in Colombo. Next up, two more ICC Women’s World Cup Warm-up Matches are scheduled on Sunday, 28th September, where Pakistan Women will lock horns with South Africa Women in Colombo in the 7th match, while Australia Women will take on England Women in Bengaluru in the 8th match, both starting at 9.30 am GMT. Do join us for the build-up! Also, you can switch tabs to catch up on another ICC Women's World Cup Warm-up Game, where India Women are cruising to chase a target of 233 against New Zealand Women. Till then, take care! CIAO!

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh Women’s 242/8 was built on a solid foundation. After losing Farzana Haque early, Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akhter put on 90 runs for the second wicket. Sharmin’s patience anchored the innings, while cameos from Sumaiya Akter and Fahima Khatun added crucial runs at the back end. Extras - 21 in total - proved vital in stretching the total beyond 240. For Sri Lanka, Dewmi Vihanga and Kavisha Dilhari were economical and effective, both picking up two wickets each.

Just when things looked gloomy for the Lankans, Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva stitched together a fighting 98-run stand that turned the game on its head. Dilhari’s 63 and Silva’s 75 gave Sri Lanka a real chance, especially after Fahima dropped Kavisha on 29. But Dilhari’s unfortunate hit-wicket dismissal halted momentum, and while Silva pushed till the 48th over, wickets kept tumbling around her. In a dramatic last over, needing just 2 runs off the final ball, Sri Lanka collapsed to 241, stunned by Bangladesh’s composure.

Sri Lanka’s reply started with intent as Hasini Perera struck boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking, but Chamari Athapaththu’s early dismissal to Marufa Akter set the tone of the contest. Fahima Khatun then produced back-to-back blows, removing Hasini for 34 and Vishmi Gunarathne for a duck, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 59/3. Harshitha Samarawickrama tried to stabilise but fell to a stunner of a catch from Fahima, and at 86/4, Bangladesh seemed DOMINANT with the ball.

What a finish! What more could you ask for from a THRILLING warm-up clash ahead of such a mega event - WOMEN'S ODI WORLD CUP? Who would have thought Sri Lanka Women, cruising at one stage, would stumble at the very end? Who could have imagined Bangladesh Women would hold their nerves this strong? In the end, it’s Bangladesh Women who came out on top by the barest of margins - just 1 run separating victory and heartbreak in Colombo. A chase of 243 looked gettable, but under pressure, Sri Lanka Women fell short at 241, and that too on the final ball of the innings.

OUT! TAKEN! GONE! DONE AND DUSTED! Bangladesh Women have done it as they have clinched the victory out of the jaws of Sri Lanka Women. On a fuller length and outside off, Sugandika Kumari comes forward and just chips it with soft hands towards cover. She fails to keep it along the ground and just finds the fielder there. Shorna Akter moves to her left a bit and takes it easily. There is jubilation in the camp of the Bangladesh Women as they have closed out this game. Bangladesh Women have defeated Sri Lanka Women by just 1 run.

OUT! TAKEN! GONE! DONE AND DUSTED! Bangladesh Women have done it as they have clinched the victory out of the jaws of Sri Lanka Women. On a fuller length and outside off, Sugandika Kumari comes forward and just chips it with soft hands towards cover. She fails to keep it along the ground and just finds the fielder there. Shorna Akter moves to her left a bit and takes it easily. There is jubilation in the camp of the Bangladesh Women as they have closed out this game. Bangladesh Women have defeated Sri Lanka Women by just 1 run.

On a hard length and around middle, Sugandika Kumari swivels and pulls it over backward square leg for a couple of runs. They now need two runs in the final ball.

On a length and outside off, Dewmi Vihanga lofts it but in the gap towards long off for a single. Sri Lanka Women need 4 runs in the last 2 balls.

Sugandika Kumari is the new batter in.

OUT! IMESHA DULANI IS RUN OUT! Proper harakiri is going on, and the nerves are clearly visible. On a length and outside off, Imesha Dulani shuffles and tries to ramp it. But she only manages to get a toe end of the bat, and the ball goes towards short fine. Dewmi Vihanga runs for a single as she wants to be on strike, but Imesha Dulani is caught ball watching. The fielder, Shanjida Akther Maghla, shows great composure to see where the batter is short at which end and fires a throw to the bowling end. Dewmi Vihanga reaches the other end when Imesha Dulani starts to run, but Marufa Akter does a good backup as she gets back to the stumps and collects the throw before whipping the bails off. Imesha Dulani wasn't even in the frame, and she walked off. Sri Lanka Women need 4 runs in the last 3 balls.

OUT! IMESHA DULANI IS RUN OUT! Proper harakiri is going on, and the nerves are clearly visible. On a length and outside off, Imesha Dulani shuffles and tries to ramp it. But she only manages to get a toe end of the bat, and the ball goes towards short fine. Dewmi Vihanga runs for a single as she wants to be on strike, but Imesha Dulani is caught ball watching. The fielder, Shanjida Akther Maghla, shows great composure to see where the batter is short at which end and fires a throw to the bowling end. Dewmi Vihanga reaches the other end when Imesha Dulani starts to run, but Marufa Akter does a good backup as she gets back to the stumps and collects the throw before whipping the bails off. Imesha Dulani wasn't even in the frame, and she walked off. Sri Lanka Women need 4 runs in the last 3 balls.

On a length and outside off, Dewmi Vihanga drags it to the right of long on for a single.

Oh, there is a slight halt in the play. Marufa Akter has requested water, as something got in her eyes. Now all is well to continue further.

FOUR! PURE POWER! On a back of a length and around off, Dewmi Vihanga presses back, gets on top of the bounce and lofts it over the mid off fielder for a boundary. The equation is 6 runs in the last 5 balls now.

Right then, it has all come down to the wire, where Sri Lanka Women need 10 runs off the final six deliveries. There are two new batters at the crease, but there is a lot of moisture, and the fielders are wiping it through their towels. It will be Marufa Akter to bowl these important six final balls.

Flatter, full and around off, Imesha Dulani uses her feet but only manages to drill it back to the bowler. An excellent over from Nahida Akter and Sri Lanka Women now need 10 runs in the final over.