Chamari Athapaththu came back from injury to shape the second ODI against Bangladesh Women, with both ball and bat, as Sri Lanka levelled the series. Having sat out the opening game, she returned figures of 3 for 36 and then gave the chase early momentum.
Bangladesh stumble after a good start
The hosts chose to bat but were dismissed for 165 in 45.5 overs. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty made 58 from 101 balls, with Sharmin Sultana adding 25 and Nahida Akter 20. Several batters got going, yet Bangladesh never put together a partnership large enough to push the total higher.
Athapaththu was well supported in the attack. Malki Madara, Nimasha Meepage and Inoka Ranaweera each finished with two wickets.
Sri Lanka hold their nerve in the chase
Sri Lanka lost a wicket early in their reply, but Athapaththu steadied things with 40 from 39 balls. Harshitha Samarawickrama then scored 50 from 76 and Hansima Karunaratne 40 from 64, and the pair shared a vital stand of 77 that took the visitors close to the target.
Nahida Akter fought hard for Bangladesh, taking 4 for 21, but Sri Lanka reached 166 for 6 in 38.2 overs to secure the win.
The series will now be settled in a deciding match at the same venue on Saturday.
