SRI Lanka took four wickets in four balls in the final over to earn a nail-biting victory over Bangladesh and keep their slim hopes of qualifying for the World Cup semi-finals alive.
Chasing a below-par target of 203 on a good batting surface in Navi Mumbai, Bangladesh needed nine runs from the final six deliveries.
However, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu took wickets from the first, third and fourth balls of the over and Nilakshi de Silva ran out Nahida Akter as Bangladesh chased a single from the second delivery, bringing about a thrilling victory.
The victory – Sri Lanka’s first of the tournament after three defeats and two no-results against Australia and New Zealand – moves them level on four points with India and New Zealand, who meet on Thursday.
Bangladesh, however, suffered a fifth consecutive defeat since winning their tournament opener against Pakistan and have been eliminated.
Although Bangladesh made the perfect start, Marufa Akter striking with the first delivery of the match to remove Vishmi Gunaratne, they were deservedly punished for a poor fielding performance.
They gifted lifelines to Hasini Perera, who was dropped three times, and Athapaththu.
Although Athapaththu could not capitalise, dismissed lbw for 46 one ball after being put down by Rabeya Khan, Perera made Bangladesh pay.
She scored a maiden international half-century, making 85 from 99 balls and sharing an important 74-run fifth-wicket stand with De Silva.
Bangladesh, led by Shorna Akter’s 3-27, dragged themselves back into the match, with De Silva’s dismissal in the 34th over triggering a Sri Lanka collapse from 174-4 to 202 all out.
In reply, Sri Lanka’s opening bowlers Malki Madara and Udeshika Prabodhani restricted Bangladesh to 23-1 in a lacklustre powerplay and they were later reduced to 44-3.
Sharmin Akter and Nigar Sultana Joty rebuilt their innings, putting on 82 for the fourth wicket before Sharmin retired hurt for a stubborn 64 in the 36th over.
It was advantage Bangladesh heading into the final two overs, with just 12 runs needed.
However, Sugandika Dasanayaka removed Ritu Moni and conceded just three runs before Athapaththu’s chaos, with Rabeya, Nahida, captain Joty and Marufa all dismissed as Sri Lanka snatched the win at the death. (BBC Sport)