Swarna Akters Fighting Knock in Vain as Sri Lanka Dominate First T20

Following the disappointment of the ODI series, Bangladesh women’s team also made a losing start in the T20 format. In the opening match of the series in Sylhet, the Tigresses suffered a 25-run defeat against Sri Lanka women’s team. With this victory, the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka opted to bat first after winning the toss and built a strong total with aggressive batting from the start. Opener Imesha Dulani scored 55 runs off 40 balls, while Harshitha Samarawickrama played a blistering innings of 61 off just 35 deliveries. Their explosive performances laid a solid foundation for a big score.

In the middle and later stages, captain Chamari Athapaththu added a useful 32 runs. For Bangladesh, Sultana Khatun picked up 2 wickets, while Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter took one wicket each. Sri Lanka finished their innings at 161 for 4 in the allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 162, Bangladesh suffered an early collapse. They lost four wickets inside the powerplay, immediately falling under pressure. Within just 40 runs, Sharmin Akhter and captain Nigar Sultana, who was dismissed for a duck, returned to the pavilion.

Dilara Akter showed some resistance with a quick 23 off 14 balls, but could not convert it into a big innings. However, Swarna Akter stood firm at one end and fought bravely against the Sri Lankan attack. She played a brilliant innings of 60 runs off 45 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes.

Despite her fighting effort, Swarna’s innings ended in heartbreak as she was run out on the final ball. Bangladesh eventually finished at 136 for 7, falling short of the target.

With this result, Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0. After losing the ODI series and starting the T20 series with a defeat, Bangladesh now face a tough challenge to stay alive in the series.