Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu took on herself to bowl the iconic final-over, taking three wickets and defending nine runs to secure a seven-run victory over Bangladesh in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The thriller at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Monday eliminated Bangladesh from semifinal contention, while keeping Sri Lanka’s slim hopes alive.
Chasing 203, Bangladesh was in complete control of the match, needing just nine runs from the final over with five wickets in hand. However, Athapaththu, who finished with 4 for 42, trapped Rabeya Khan lbw, forced a run-out, and then dismissed captain Nigar Sultana Joty, 77 and Marufa Akter on consecutive balls. Bangladesh lost four wickets in the over, managing just one run and collapsing at the finish.
Sultana’s 77 anchored the innings alongside a 64 from Sharmin Akhter Supta, who later retired hurt. The pair added 82 runs, navigating the middle overs effectively. Despite their efforts, the tight penultimate over, where Sugandika Kumari conceded just three runs, set the stage for Athapaththu’s final six balls.
Earlier, Sri Lanka squandered a strong start after winning the toss and opting to bat. Hasini Perera scored her maiden international half-century, 85 off 99 balls, in her 143rd match, supported by Athapaththu’s 46. From a commanding 174 for four, Sri Lanka collapsed, losing their last six wickets for just 28 runs. Leg-spinner Shorna Akter, 3 for 27 and Rabeya Khan, 2 for 39 led the Bangladesh fight, bowling Sri Lanka out for 202.
After the match, both captains reflected on the pressure-filled ending. "We handled the pressure well. We knew that if we took the game deep, teams could crumble," Athapaththu said, adding, "luck smiled at us today." Sultana lamented the missed opportunity: "We kept losing wickets at crucial times. I tried to take the pressure off with a boundary, but it just didn't come off." The loss officially ends Bangladesh's campaign, while Sri Lanka joins India and New Zealand in the hunt for the final semifinal spot, with Australia, South Africa, and England already qualified.