All-round Athapaththu helps SL level series against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu delivered a standout all-round performance to help her side level the ODI series against Bangladesh Women's Cricket Team with a four-wicket win in Rajshahi on Wednesday.

After missing the opening match due to a finger injury, Athapaththu made an emphatic return, claiming three crucial wickets to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total of 165 in 45.5 overs. She struck first by dismissing Sharmin Sultana via an lbw decision that sparked visible disagreement from the batter. In her next over, she removed Sobhana Mostary, who was caught at square leg.

Athapaththu’s third wicket came in the 31st over when Ritu Moni mistimed a cover drive, only for Nilakshika Silva to complete a sharp catch at mid-off. Earlier, Bangladesh suffered an early setback when Sharmin Akhter was dismissed for a duck by Malki Madara.

Captain Nigar Sultana was the lone bright spot for the hosts, scoring a patient 58 off 101 balls, including four boundaries. However, she lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup and was eventually dismissed by Nimesha Meepage in the 41st over.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack was well-rounded, with Madara, Meepage, and Inoka Ranaweera claiming two wickets each, while Kavisha Dilhari chipped in with one.

In response, Sri Lanka’s chase was anchored by Athapaththu, who scored a brisk 40 off 39 deliveries, including eight boundaries. Her innings ended in the 17th over when she was dismissed by left-arm spinner Nahida Akhter. The dismissal led to a brief on-field moment, as Nahida gave Athapaththu a send-off, prompting a prolonged stare from the Sri Lankan captain before she walked off.

The chase was then stabilized by a crucial 79-run partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne for the fourth wicket. Samarawickrama scored 50 off 76 balls, while Karunaratne contributed 40 off 64 deliveries, both hitting multiple boundaries to guide Sri Lanka close to the target.

Nahida Akhter continued to impress with the ball, dismissing both set batters and later removing Kaushini Nuthyangana to finish with a four-wicket haul. Sultana Khatun and Ritu Moni picked up one wicket each, but their efforts were not enough to prevent Sri Lanka from reaching the target.

With the series now level, the decider of the three-match ODI series is set to be played in Rajshahi on April 25.