Bangladesh women’s cricket team lose series after defeat to Sri Lanka

Bangladesh women's cricket team lost to Sri Lanka by 21 runs in the second T20I of the series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. With this victory on Thursday, Sri Lanka women's cricket team secured the trophy by taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The hosts also lost the first match.

After losing the toss and opting to bat, the Sri Lankans were slow at the start but gradually built a big score. Fariha Islam Trishna broke the opening pair. Then Imesha Dulani and captain Chamari Atapattu took the team ahead. Although Dulani was dismissed for 27 runs, Atapattu played an effective innings of 42 runs off 37 balls.

Harshita Samarawickrama stormed towards the end of the innings. She brought the team to 154 runs in 20 overs with an innings of 49 runs off 29 balls. Fariha, Nahida, Ritu and Sultana took one wicket each for Bangladesh.

Chasing a target of 155 runs, Bangladesh got off to a great start. Dilara Akhtar Dola and Juairia Ferdous Joyita scored quick runs in the opening partnership. However, the team lost its rhythm when Dilara was out for 23 runs.

Bangladesh came under pressure when Joyita was run out for 29 runs. Then, captain Nigar Sultana Jyoti and Sobhana Mostari Supta were also run out, knocking the hosts out of the match. In the end, Supta scored 45 runs off 47 balls, but it was not enough. Bangladesh's innings was stopped at 133 runs in 20 overs.

For Sri Lanka, Kawisha Dilhari was the man of the match, taking 2 wickets for just 15 runs in 4 overs.

Bangladesh will take the field at the same venue on May 2 with the aim of turning the series around in the last match.