NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA—Bangladesh's campaign in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 has come to a close after they suffered a narrow seven-run defeat to Sri Lanka in a dramatic encounter on Monday. The loss was Bangladesh's fifth of the tournament, ending their hopes of advancing further.
In a match that went down to the wire, Bangladesh looked to be in control of a 203-run chase, only to falter in the final overs. The turning point came in the last over, with Bangladesh needing just eight runs for victory. Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, delivered a stunning performance with the ball, claiming three wickets in the over to secure a nail-biting win for her team.
A valiant effort falls short
Bangladesh's pursuit of the target was built on a resilient 82-run partnership between captain Nigar Sultana Joty (77) and Sharmin Akter (64*). The pair steadied the innings after a rocky start, bringing Bangladesh within striking distance of a historic win. However, their efforts were ultimately not enough to see the team across the finish line as the pressure mounted.
A glimpse of potential
While the result is disappointing, Bangladesh showed flashes of their potential throughout the tournament, particularly with their spin-heavy bowling attack. This was evident in the first innings against Sri Lanka, where they bowled out their opponents for 202 after restricting their momentum. Shorna Akter was a standout with the ball, taking three key wickets to rip through Sri Lanka's middle order.
However, as observed in previous matches, Bangladesh's batting performance proved to be inconsistent, a recurring theme for the team throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead
The defeat marks the end of the road for Bangladesh in this World Cup. Their final group-stage game will be against India on October 26. For Sri Lanka, the victory keeps their semi-final hopes alive as they move forward in the competition
