SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh survived a dramatic late collapse to register a three-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first of three Women’s One-Day Internationals at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium yesterday, registering their first-ever victory over the islanders in the format.

Sharmin Akhter Supta’s 86 runs off 127 deliveries, featuring 13 boundaries, anchored the chase of 206 runs, supported by 50-plus partnerships with Sobhana Mostary (41) and Shorna Akter (35).

At 199 for three in the 45th over, victory seemed assured before a sudden collapse, starting with Supta’s dismissal, saw four wickets fall for one run in just 10 deliveries. Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun eventually steadied the nerves, guiding the side home in 48.3 overs.

Prior to this match, Bangladesh had faced Sri Lanka five times in WODIs, losing three while the remaining two matches produced no result. This win also offered a measure of redemption following their narrow seven-run defeat to the same opponents in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in Navi Mumbai.

Speaking after the match, Shorna admitted, “It would have been better if me, Supta apu, had finished the game,” noting that their dismissals “put the chase under pressure”.

“We always want our middle order to finish the job, but these things are part of the game,” Shorna added.

She praised Supta, who scored her 11th WODI fifty, as having “played brilliantly,” and also expressed satisfaction with the Rajshahi venue, which hosted its first international match.

“This was Rajshahi’s debut as an international venue. The wicket and ground are really good. If a few more facilities are improved, it will become even better,” she said.

The series continues at the same venue on Wednesday.