Tigresses eye series win

Bangladesh women’s cricket team will look to seal the three-match One Day International series when they face Sri Lanka in the second fixture on Wednesday in Rajshahi, aiming to build on the nerve-jangling three-wicket win in the series opener.

The hosts were pushed far harder than expected in Monday’s opener, scraping home with nine balls to spare after a late collapse nearly undid an otherwise controlled chase.

Chasing 206, Bangladesh appeared in cruise control thanks to a superb 86 from Sharmin Akhter and important stands involving Sobhana Mostary and Shorna Akter.

But from 178 for 3 the innings spiralled suddenly, four wickets tumbling for just 22 runs to leave the Tigresses wobbling at 200 for 7.

It took the calm presence of Nahida Akter and Sultana Khatun to steer them home and spare Bangladesh what would have been a chastening defeat.

Despite the win, Monday’s performance exposed familiar frailties: fragile starts, inconsistent middle-order game management and an inability to close out chases without drama.

The openers — debutant Juairiya Ferdous and returnee Sarmin Sultana — both fell cheaply, and Bangladesh will be desperate for a steadier platform in the second match.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will feel they left plenty on the table.

Half-centuries from Hansima Karunaratne and Imesha Dulani set up a competitive total, and Dewmi Vihanga’s 3/43 sparked the late surge that nearly stole the match.

With their spinners posing consistent questions and Bangladesh’s top-order still bedding in new combinations, the visitors will fancy levelling the series if they can tighten their middle-overs discipline with the ball.

Meanwhile, Sharmin’s match-winning 86 in the series opener has propelled her to 22nd in the ICC ODI batting rankings — now the highest-ranked Bangladeshi batter.

Her seven-place jump reflects both consistency and responsibility at the top, especially after steadying the chase from 14 for 2.

Sobhana also climbed eight places to 50th after her fluent 41, while Bangladesh’s bowlers registered gains too: Nahida Akter moved to 13th, Rabeya Khan to 20th and Marufa Akter to joint 43rd.