Chamari Athapaththu’s stellar performance helped Sri Lanka women’s team level the ODI series against Bangladesh in Rajshahi. Athapaththu, playing her first match of the series due to a finger injury, made an immediate impact by taking three crucial wickets to disrupt Bangladesh’s innings.
In the 16th over, Athapaththu dismissed Sharmin Sultana lbw and followed it up by removing Sobhana Mostary in the next over. Her third wicket came in the 31st over when Ritu Moni was caught at mid-off. Bangladesh faced an early setback when Sharmin Akhter was dismissed for a duck by Malki Madara.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana top-scored with 58 runs, but lacked support as the team was bowled out for 165. In response, Athapaththu led the chase with a quick 40 off 39 balls, setting the tone before being dismissed by Nahida Akhter. Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne steadied the chase with a crucial 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Nahida Akhter’s four-wicket haul posed a challenge, but Sri Lanka held their nerve to secure a four-wicket victory. The series decider is scheduled for April 25 in Rajshahi.
