Sri Lanka stamped their ticket to the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals on Sunday, surviving a fierce late scare from Bangladesh to claim a four-wicket victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Group B contest, which began as a routine chase, turned into a tense battle of wills, ultimately decided by one standout innings of calm under immense pressure.
Tight bowling keeps Bangladesh in check
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka’s attack delivered a disciplined performance that kept Bangladesh’s batters on the back foot from the very first over.
Chamudi Praboda was the undisputed star with the ball, dismantling the top order with precision to finish with outstanding figures of three wickets for just 21 runs across her four overs.
Sugandika Kumari provided vital support, claiming two wickets for 22 runs as wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the innings.
Bangladesh’s batting line-up struggled to find rhythm or build substantial partnerships.
Dilara Akter offered a glimmer of hope early on with a brisk 26 from 26 deliveries, while Sobhana Mostary battled hard for a patient 34 off 41 balls to keep her side’s hopes alive.
However, the consistent pressure applied by Sri Lanka’s bowlers meant that no batter could take control, and Bangladesh was eventually restricted to a modest total of 114 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
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Dramatic collapse turns match on its head
With a manageable target of 115 to chase, Sri Lanka began their innings confidently, moving smoothly through the powerplay and positioning themselves well before Bangladesh’s bowlers engineered a dramatic turnaround.
Marufa Akter produced a sensational spell, claiming three crucial wickets for 21 runs to swing the momentum sharply in her team’s favour.
Her incisive bowling, combined with breakthroughs from Sultana Khatun and Ritu Moni, saw Sri Lanka collapse from a comfortable position to a precarious 82 for six, leaving the match hanging in the balance.
Even captain Chamari Athapaththu fell for a single figure, deepening the anxiety in the Sri Lankan camp.
Samarawickrama’s unbeaten knock seals victory
It was at this critical juncture that Harshitha Samarawickrama stepped forward to steady the ship.
Displaying remarkable poise and tactical awareness, she compiled an unbeaten 48 runs from 37 deliveries, anchoring the innings while finding the perfect balance between defence and calculated aggression.
She received invaluable backing from Nilakshika Silva and Kaushini Nuthyangana, who contributed vital runs to the partnership and helped guide their side toward the finish line.
As the stakes grew higher, Harshitha Samarawickrama stayed remarkably steady, crafting an assured 48 runs without dismissal from just 37 deliveries.
Her ability to remain unshaken when the game hung in the balance turned the tide of the match.
Group B standing confirmed
Sri Lanka eventually reached the required total of 115 runs for the loss of six wickets in 19.2 overs, sealing the victory with four balls to spare.
The result cements Sri Lanka’s position at the summit of Group B and confirms their place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
Bangladesh will now face hosts UAE in a do-or-die encounter on Tuesday to determine the second team to advance from the group.
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