Sadia’s fighting knock falls four runs short

Bangladesh Under-19 women’s cricket team came agonisingly close to victory but suffered a four-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the final of the tri-nation T20 series in Faisalabad on Friday, despite a fighting half-century from captain Sadia Islam.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sent the team to Faisalabad as part of their preparations for next year’s ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

The junior Tigresses beat hosts Pakistan in all three of their meetings but failed to defeat Sri Lanka in any of their four encounters. They came close to turning the tables in the final.

After winning the toss and opting to field, Sadia and Co restricted Sri Lanka to 158-6 in 20 overs. Opener Sanjana Kavindi top-scored with 64 off 44 balls.

Chasing 159, Bangladesh slumped to 21-3 before a 67-run fourth-wicket partnership off 51 balls revived their hopes.

The target remained within reach until the final over, when Bangladesh needed 19 runs to win. With nine required off the last two balls, the dismissal of Sadia Akter ended their hopes of a comeback, leaving them four runs short.

Captain Sadia led the fightback with a blistering 59 off 36 balls, striking three fours and five sixes.

Sri Lankan bowlers Chamodhi Herath and Chamudi Praboda claimed two wickets apiece for 32 and 17 runs respectively.

Despite the final defeat, Bangladesh’s bowlers impressed throughout the tournament. Pacer Farjana Easmin finished as the team’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps, while off-spinner Nishita Akter Nishi claimed nine.