Bangladesh taste heartbreaking defeat in final

Bangladesh Under-19 Women's team suffered a heartbreaking 36-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the Women's U19 Tri-Nation T20 series final at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar on Friday (February 2).

The double-leg tournament, involving three teams -Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, saw each team facing each other twice and the hosts Bangladesh beat both of the opponents in the group phase to make the final as the unbeaten team.

Sri Lanka meanwhile won just one game against Pakistan and their other game against the same team was washed out due to rain.

However, the Lankan teenagers came all guns blazing when it mattered most. After opting to bat first, they posted a respectable 148-3 with opener Nethmi Poorna Senarathna leading the charge. Senarathna hammered 66 off 57 with eight fours while her opening partner Dewmi Vihanga Wijerathne blasted 49 off 42 with two fours and four sixes. Together they shared 104 runs for the opening stand to lay a solid platform.

Rabeya, Nishita Akhter Nishi and Jannatul Maoua took one wicket apiece for Bangladesh youngsters.

Bangladesh in reply tasted a top order collapse and slumped to 23-4, which decided the fate of the match. Rabeya then made team-high 31 off 29 with four fours and helped the side at least go past 100-run mark. Bangladesh eventually were restricted to 112-8. Arbin Tani was the other notable scorer with 15.

Dewmi Vihanga Wijerathna was the wrecker-in-chief with 3-13 while Rismi Sanjana and Yasanthi Nimanthika Madushani Herath grabbed two wickets apiece.