Sri Lanka Women signed off their Bangladesh tour with a thrilling finish, edging the hosts by three runs in the third T20I at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium to secure a 3-0 series whitewash. Having already clinched the ODI series 2-1, the visitors leave with a clean sweep of the T20Is and growing authority in the shorter format.
In a rain-shortened nine-over contest, Sri Lanka’s innings revolved around their talismanic skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who delivered yet another decisive performance. Her 41 off 27 balls, blending controlled aggression with clean hitting, anchored the innings after an explosive start from Imesha Dulani, who struck 19 off just 10 deliveries.
Despite a mid-innings wobble triggered by Sultana Khatun’s incisive spell of 3 for 8, Sri Lanka managed to push their total to 87 for 6. A late flourish from Kavisha Dilhari, who added 15 off seven balls, proved crucial in a match where every run carried weight.
Bangladesh’s chase began brightly, with Sobhana Mostary injecting momentum through a brisk 21, while captain Nigar Sultana kept the scoreboard ticking with 13. At one stage, the hosts appeared to have the chase under control, needing a manageable rate with wickets in hand.
But Sri Lanka’s bowlers tightened the screws at the death. Athapaththu returned to break the backbone of the chase, finishing with 2 for 15, while Sugandika Kumari struck twice at key moments to derail Bangladesh’s progress. Support came from Nimasha Meepage and Mithali Ayodhya, as the hosts were held to 84 for 6 in 8.6 overs.
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka Women 87/6 (9 overs) – Chamari Athapaththu 41, Imesha Dulani 19; Sultana Khatun 3/8
Bangladesh Women 84/6 (8.6 overs) – Sobhana Mostary 21, Nigar Sultana 13; Athapaththu 2/15, Sugandika Kumari 2/22
