In a match that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic finishes in ICC Women’s World Cup history, 
Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning seven-run victory over Bangladesh at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.
Chamari Athapaththu‘s heroic last-over spell, claiming four wickets in four balls,
sealed a lifeline for her team’s semi-final hopes while delivering a crushing blow to Bangladesh’s tournament aspirations.
Women’s World Cup | The encounter, played under sweltering conditions with temperatures soaring into the high 30s, was a virtual knockout game.
Sri Lanka entered the fixture winless after three defeats and two rain-abandoned matches, but this triumph catapults them level on four points with India and New Zealand.
For Bangladesh, it’s a fifth straight loss since their opening win over Pakistan, confirming their elimination from the 2025 edition.
Toss and Early Struggles: Sri Lanka’s Batting Wobble in Women’s World Cup
Women’s World Cup | Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to bat first on a batsman-friendly pitch, bringing in experienced pacer Udeshika Prabodhani for Malki Madara.
Bangladesh countered with seamers Marufa Akter and spinner Nahida Akter replacing Fariha Trisna and Fahima Khatun.
The decision initially backfired as Sri Lanka’s top order crumbled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack.
Opener Vishmi Gunaratne fell early, But Athapaththu (46) herself, build a Partnership with Hasini Perera (85) of 71 Runs before she stuck LBW to Rabeya Khan.
But Hasini Perera continued to fight and push the innings but no one partnered from the other End,
Nilakshi De Silva played a cameo of 37 in 38 Balls.
The subcontinental heat seemed to take its toll, with the batters struggling to find rhythm on a surface offering true bounce but little pace.
Enter the middle-order rescuers.
Hasini Perera and Nilakshi de Silva steadied the ship with a crucial 70-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Perera’s elegant strokeplay, including a couple of lofted covers, brought some momentum, while de Silva’s gritty knock anchored the innings.
However, both departed in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka teetering once more.
In the end, it was a collective effort from the lower order that pushed the total to a defendable 202 for 8 in 50 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Shorna Akter’s economical spell, kept things tight but couldn’t break through decisively.
Bangladesh’s Daring Chase: A Partnership Too Late ?
Women’s World Cup | Chasing 203 on a good batting track, Bangladesh Openers fell early, with openers Fargana Hoque (run out )and Rubya Haider edge to Sanjeevani bowled by Prabodhani.
Enters Sharmin Akhter Standed tall and played an unbeaten innings of 64 runs in 103 balls.
But Sri Lanka’s bowlers, spearheaded by the returning Prabodhani and left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera, struck back.
Mostary’s patient knock ended at 8, and early wickets reduced Bangladesh to 44 for 3.
The turning point came through a resilient fourth-wicket stand between Sharmin Akhter and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty.
Akhter, playing with freedom, raced to a well-deserved half-century, her aggressive pulls and drives exploiting any width.
Joty, the glue of the innings, rotated the strike masterfully, keeping the required rate under control.
By the 32nd over, the duo had hauled Bangladesh to 140 for 3, needing just 63 from 108 balls.
The partnership swelled to over 90 runs, with Akhter’s fifty bringing the crowd to life. Dropped chances, including a tough skier off Athapaththu’s bowling, added to Sri Lanka’s frustration.
At one stage, with 57 needed from 60 balls, Bangladesh appeared favorites.
Athapaththu, sensing the drift, turned to her opening bowler Madara Malki for a crucial over,
but the batters milked singles relentlessly.
Athapaththu’s Last-Over Magic: Four Wickets in Four Balls in Women’s World Cup
Women’s World Cup | With nine runs needed off the final over, Athapaththu – who had already conceded runs earlier – summoned her reserves for the death overs.
Bowling her second spell, the Sri Lankan skipper trapped Rabeya Khan lbw with the first ball, silencing the Bangladesh dugout.
Shorna Akter, who had been dropped earlier, managed a single before Nahida Akter’s run-out by Nilakshi de Silva turned the game on its head.
What followed was pure theater: Athapaththu edges Marufa Akter with a fullish delivery,
then induced an edge from the next batter to claim her third wicket in three balls.
The hat-trick eluded her, but the damage was done. Bangladesh, needing boundaries that never came, collapsed to 195 all out, seven runs short.
Post-match, an elated Athapaththu beamed, “We fought till the end. This win is for the team and our fans back home.”
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty, visibly distraught, reflected, “We had it in our grasp,
but those last moments… cricket is cruel sometimes.”
Implications and Looking Ahead
Women’s World Cup | This victory maintains Sri Lanka’s unbeaten ODI record against Bangladesh, now extending to 15 matches.
It breathes fresh life into their campaign, with a must-win clash against New Zealand looming on Thursday.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, head home with heads held high for their gritty showing but without the points to show for it.
In a tournament already stacked with upsets, this subcontinental thriller reminds us why women’s cricket is captivating the Women’s World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s resilience, led by their evergreen captain, could yet spark a late surge. For now, the Lionesses roar on.
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