Bangladesh Women's National Cricket Team Take 1–0 Lead After Narrow Win Over Sri Lanka

Source: ESPNcricinfo | Cricbuzz | Match Scorecard

The Sri Lanka Women Tour of Bangladesh 2026 got off to an exciting start as the Bangladesh Women's National Cricket Team secured a hard-fought victory over the Sri Lanka Women's National Cricket Team in the 1st ODI held on April 20, 2026, at the Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, aiming to put pressure on the hosts with a strong total. However, despite a promising start, they were unable to fully capitalize. Captain Chamari Athapaththu led from the front with a determined innings, scoring a fluent 78 runs off 85 balls, anchoring the Sri Lankan batting lineup. She was supported by Harshitha Samarawickrama, who contributed a composed 45 runs, helping stabilize the innings during the middle overs.

Bangladesh’s bowlers, however, maintained consistent pressure throughout the innings. Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter emerged as the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for 36 runs, effectively breaking key partnerships. The disciplined bowling attack ensured Sri Lanka were restricted to a modest total of 235/9 in their 50 overs, slightly below what they would have hoped for on a batting-friendly surface.

In response, Bangladesh began their chase cautiously, aware of the importance of a solid start. Opener Fargana Hoque played a crucial role at the top, scoring a steady 62 runs, while captain Nigar Sultana Joty anchored the innings with a vital 58 runs, guiding the chase with composure and maturity.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept the contest alive by picking up wickets at regular intervals. Spinner Inoka Ranaweera was particularly effective, taking 2 key wickets and slowing down the scoring rate during the middle overs. However, Bangladesh’s lower middle order showed resilience under pressure, ensuring the chase stayed on track.

The match went down to the final overs, with Bangladesh needing calm nerves to finish the game. Demonstrating excellent composure, the hosts successfully chased down the target, reaching 236/7 in 49.2 overs, sealing a 3-wicket victory in front of their home crowd.

This win gave Bangladesh a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series, providing them with a crucial advantage early in the tour. The victory was a testament to their balanced team performance, with both batters and bowlers contributing significantly.

Speaking after the match, Bangladesh skipper Joty praised her team’s fighting spirit and highlighted the importance of partnerships in a tense chase. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Athapaththu acknowledged that her team fell slightly short with the bat and would look to improve in the upcoming matches.

With two ODIs remaining, Sri Lanka will be eager to bounce back and level the series, while Bangladesh will aim to carry forward their winning momentum and clinch the series in the next match.