Bangladesh women finish runners-up after 4-run defeat in Tri-Series final

Bangladesh Under-19 women’s cricket team finished runners-up in the tri-series after suffering a thrilling four-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the final.

Bangladesh needed 29 runs from the final 12 balls, with the target coming down to 19 in the last over. A six from Sadia Akter raised hopes of a dramatic victory, but Bangladesh ultimately fell short.

Chasing a target of 159, Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just 21 runs. Captain Sadia Islam and Nishita Akter revived the innings with a 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Sadia Islam scored 59 off 36 balls, hitting five sixes and three fours. Nishita contributed 32 off 33 deliveries.

Even after Nishita’s dismissal, Sadia Akter kept Bangladesh in contention. She scored 35 off 22 balls, including three sixes, to keep hopes of victory alive.

Despite the challenging equation in the final two overs, Bangladesh continued to fight. They scored 10 runs in the 19th over but lost Farzana in the process.

Sadia’s six in the final over further raised hopes, but she was dismissed on the fifth ball. Jannatul struck a four off the final delivery, reducing the margin but unable to change the outcome.

Earlier, Sri Lanka made a flying start after winning the toss and electing to bat. Openers Sanjana Kavindi and Vimoshka Balasuriya took the team to 49 in just the fifth over.

Kavindi scored 64 off 44 balls, hitting two sixes and seven fours, while Balasuriya added 23.

After both openers departed, Nethmi Upeska and Umayananga Peiris helped Sri Lanka build a strong total. The team eventually finished on 158.

For Bangladesh, Farzana Yasmin, Nishi, Jannatul Ferdous and Afrin Mim took one wicket each.

Bangladesh came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy but had to settle for second place after the narrow defeat.