Sri Lanka beat Tigresses to level ODI series

Sri Lanka women's team clawed back strongly to beat Bangladesh women's by four wickets in the second ODI at Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Wednesday, leveling the three-match series 1-1.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh were bowled out for a modest 165 in 45.5 overs.
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty led from the front with a fighting 58, while opener Sharmin Sultana contributed 25.

The hosts, however, struggled to build substantial partnerships after early setbacks, including the quick dismissals of Juairia Ferdous (2) and Sharmin Akhter Supta (0).

Joty stitched together several useful stands - 45 runs with Sharmin Sultana, 32 with Swarna Akhtar, 24 with Ritu Moni, and 33 with Nahida Akhtar - to take Bangladesh past 150. Nahida scored 20, while Ritu added 17.

For Sri Lanka, captain Chamari Athapaththu claimed 3-36, ably supported by Kavisha Dilhari Ranabira and Nimasha Madushani who both grabbed two wickets each.

In reply, Sri Lanka reached 166-6 in 38.2 overs, completing the chase with 70 balls to spare.
Despite losing two early wickets, a 77-run partnership between Harshitha Samarawickrama (50) and Hansima Karunaratne (40) put the visitors on course for victory.

Athapaththu also contributed 40, adding 33 runs with Samarawickrama.

Nahida was the standout bowler for Bangladesh with 4-21, including three wickets in the space of seven balls, but her effort was not enough to prevent Bangladesh from the defeat. The series-deciding third ODI will be played at the same venue on Saturday.     �"BSS