Shorna's 60 not enough as Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 25 runs in WT20I opener
Synopsis
Shorna Akter's composed 60 could not rescue Bangladesh from a batting collapse as Sri Lanka claimed a commanding 25-run victory in the WT20I series opener at Sylhet. With the hosts crumbling from 39 without loss to 44 for 4, and Sobhana Mostary's sluggish contribution adding to the pressure, Bangladesh's chase never recovered despite Shorna's resistance. Sri Lanka's 80-run partnership between Samarawickrama and Dulani proved the difference.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 25 runs in the opening WT20I at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 28 April .
Shorna Akter scored her maiden WT20I half-century with a composed 60 off 45 balls , featuring four fours and two sixes .
Harshitha Samarawickrama (61 off 35) and Imesha Dulani (55 off 40) anchored Sri Lanka's 161 for 4 , the visitors' highest WT20I total against Bangladesh .
Bangladesh collapsed from 39 without loss to 44 for 4 after Juairiya Ferdous departed.
The second match is scheduled for Thursday, 30 April at the same venue.
Shorna Akter's maiden WT20I half-century proved insufficient as Bangladesh Women fell short by 25 runs against Sri Lanka in the opening match of their three-game series at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, 28 April. Chasing 162, the hosts managed 136 for 7 in 20 overs, with Shorna's well-constructed 60 off 45 balls standing as the lone bright spot in an otherwise disjointed innings.
Sri Lanka's strong batting platform
Sri Lanka posted an imposing 161 for 4 after winning the toss and electing to bat. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Imesha Dulani anchored the innings with successive half-centuries, combining for an 80-run partnership that proved decisive. Samarawickrama's aggressive 61 off 35 balls — featuring five fours and two sixes — set the tempo, while Dulani's steady 55 off 40 provided ballast. The total represented Sri Lanka's highest WT20I score against Bangladesh, eclipsing their previous best of 158 set in 2023.
Bangladesh's early promise and sudden collapse
Bangladesh made an encouraging start to their chase, with Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous adding 39 runs in just 3.3 overs. However, the innings imploded spectacularly after Juairiya's departure, sliding from 39 without loss to 44 for 4 in a dramatic sequence. Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana Joty, and Dilara all perished in quick succession, leaving the hosts in disarray.
Shorna's lone resistance
Shorna Akter emerged as Bangladesh's sole source of stability, crafting a composed 60 that included four boundaries and two sixes. Her knock, which marked her maiden WT20I fifty, could not prevent the chase from faltering. Sobhana Mostary's laboured 16 off 26 balls added further pressure, and once she departed, Bangladesh's hopes evaporated entirely.
Sri Lanka's bowling control
Chamari Athapaththu, Malki Madara, and Mithali Ayodhya each claimed two wickets to seal the victory. Athapaththu contributed 32 with the bat before being dismissed by Sultana Khatun, showcasing her all-round value. Nahida Akter took 1 for 26 for Bangladesh, but lacked support from the other bowlers.
What lies ahead
The second match of the series will be contested at the same venue on Thursday, 30 April. Bangladesh will need to regroup and address their batting fragility, while Sri Lanka will look to consolidate their advantage with another strong performance.
Point of View
Yet it exposed a structural weakness in Bangladesh's middle order: the inability to build partnerships under pressure. When Sobhana Mostary consumed 26 balls for 16 runs in the chase, she effectively surrendered the match. Sri Lanka's victory was built on the back of aggressive batting — Samarawickrama's strike rate of 174 set the tone — while Bangladesh's reply lacked the same intensity. The hosts must address their batting depth ahead of the second match; a maiden fifty from their captain's protégée cannot mask systemic fragility.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shorna Akter's score in the WT20I opener?
Shorna Akter scored 60 off 45 balls, marking her maiden WT20I half-century. Her innings included four boundaries and two sixes, but lacked meaningful support from the other batsmen as Bangladesh fell short by 25 runs.
How much did Sri Lanka score in their innings?
Sri Lanka posted 161 for 4 in 20 overs, with Harshitha Samarawickrama scoring 61 off 35 balls and Imesha Dulani contributing 55 off 40 deliveries. The total was Sri Lanka's highest WT20I score against Bangladesh.
What went wrong with Bangladesh's chase?
Bangladesh started well with Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous adding 39 runs in 3.3 overs, but collapsed dramatically after Juairiya's dismissal, slipping from 39 without loss to 44 for 4. Sobhana Mostary's slow 16 off 26 balls further hampered the chase, and the required rate kept climbing.
When is the second match of the series?
The second match is scheduled for Thursday, 30 April at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
