Bangladesh suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka in a thrilling Women’s World Cup 2025 clash on Monday. The match went down to the final over, where Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu produced a stunning performance to secure a narrow seven-run victory, leaving Bangladesh to regret missed chances and near-perfect moments that slipped away.
Bangladesh looked in control for most of the game. Sri Lanka’s innings began shakily, with an early wicket falling, but Athapaththu and Hasini Perera steadied the ship with a strong 72-run partnership. The duo laid a solid foundation, which was briefly threatened by a middle-order collapse triggered by spinner Nahida Akter. Despite the setbacks, Perera’s calm knock of 85 runs and Nilakshi de Silva’s valuable 37 kept Sri Lanka in the hunt, but the team’s late-order batting failed to push the total higher. Sri Lanka finished with 202 runs, setting Bangladesh a target of 203.
In response, Bangladesh started well. Sharmin Akter and captain Nigar Sultana stitched an 82-run partnership, rotating the strike smoothly and punishing loose balls. But trouble struck when Akter had to retire hurt due to cramps, leaving Sultana to manage the chase largely on her own. While Sultana tried to anchor the innings and keep the required rate within reach, the other batters could not provide consistent support. 
The match reached a nerve-wracking climax in the final over. Athapaththu stepped up and delivered a remarkable over, taking three crucial wickets and executing a run-out. Sultana’s dismissal proved decisive, and Bangladesh faltered under pressure, eventually falling seven runs short.
Bangladesh’s loss was compounded by missed opportunities throughout the game — dropped catches, misfields, and poor running between the wickets cost them dearly. Despite being in a position to chase down the target comfortably, they failed to hold their nerve when it mattered most.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, kept their semi-final hopes alive, though the path remains tough. To progress, they must defeat Pakistan in their final league game and hope for favorable results in other matches. India would need to lose both remaining games, while England must beat New Zealand. Even then, a strong net run rate will be crucial for Sri Lanka if they end up level on points with New Zealand, making only a convincing win against Pakistan sufficient.
