Sharmin Akhter‘s 86 helped Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the first Women’s ODI in Rajshahi, which was hosting its first international match. It is also Bangladesh’s first ever WODI win against Sri Lanka, though it wasn’t without a hiccup.

Bangladesh lost four wickets for just one run when they were just seven runs away from victory. This happened after Sharmin was out stumped in the 45th over for 86, having struck 13 fours in her 127-ball effort. This was her highest score against Sri Lanka, beating her previous best 64 not out at the DY Patil Stadium in the World Cup last year.

Sharmin added 78 runs for the fourth wicket with Shorna Akter before Sri Lanka finally took a wicket after 36 overs. Then came the string of wickets. Offpsinner Dewmi Vihanga took two wickets in the 46th over when both Shorna (35) and Ritu Moni (0) were caught going for big hits. Rabeya Khan also holed out in the deep playing a poor shot, as Bangladesh were 200 for 7 in the 47th over.

Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun then added the final six runs in nervy fashion. Sri Lanka were poor at that point as Malki Madara conceded a wide followed by a misfield in the covers to concede the winning runs.

Bangladesh’s 206-run chase started poorly when they lost Sarmin Sultana in the first over. Sultana was clean bowled by Madara for a duck with a full ball on her leg-stump. Nimasha Meepage had debutant Juairiya Ferdous caught at mid-on in the next over, having made just five runs.

When captain Nigar Sultana was given out lbw against Vihanga, Bangladesh were in trouble at 34 for 3 in the ninth over. Sharmin and Sobhana Mostary then took charge of the situation, adding 87 runs for the fourth wicket. They were only separated when Mostary suffered severe cramps on her legs in the 28th over. She had to be stretchered off, having made 41 off 56 balls with six fours.

Sharmin then had the company of Shorna Akter to further the chase, as they dominated the Sri Lanka attack from that point.

When they batted first, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start with Hasini Perera – their stand-in captain with Chamari Athapaththu missing due to a finger injury – and Imesha Dulani adding 68 runs for the opening stand.

Seamer Ritu Moni, coming around the wicket, broke the partnership in the 14th over when her inswinger wrapped Perera on the pads.

Moni removed Harshitha Samarawickrama in her next over, when the batter couldn’t get her away with a flick shot, ending up giving a simple caught and bowled chance.

Dulani and Hansima Karunaratne then took stock of the situation, adding another 52 runs for the third wicket. Dulani made 54 with six fours, before getting caught at mid-off off Sultana Khatun. Part-timer Mostary then got fortunate when Karunaratne drilled her high full-toss to Rabeya at cover. Karunaratne was dumbstruck by the dismissal, as Rabeya held on to the tough chance, after she made 54 off 71 balls.

Sri Lanka lost their way around this point, with Nilakshika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari being caught at mid-off in quick succession, to Marufa Akter and Moni, respectively.

Moni finished with 3 for 36 while left-arm spinner Nahida picked up two wickets.