On the 2nd day of the warm-up fixtures, hosts India were up against New Zealand in the 1st fixture of the day and the 5th game of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup warm-up fixtures. Bangladesh were up against Sri Lanka in the 6th game of the warm-up fixtures and the 2nd of the day.

Bangladesh lost their experienced opening batter, Fargana Hoque, in the 2nd over after skipper Nigar Sultana Joty won the toss and opted to bat first. Udeshika Prabodhani provided the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Sharmin Akhter joined Rubya Haider at the crease, and the duo fought back with a much-needed 90-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.

Kavisha Dilhari broke the stand by sending Rubya Haider (33 off 52 balls) back to the pavilion in the 19th over of the innings to provide the crucial 2nd breakthrough for her side. The visitors suffered a bit of a collapse as they lost their next four wickets for just 63 runs, reducing Bangladesh to 154/6 in the 37th over of the innings to provide the upper hand on the contest for the Sri Lankans.

Fahima Khatun (26* off 35 balls) joined Sumaiya Akter at the crease, and the pair took them past the 200-run mark with a vital 58-run stand for the 7th wicket. Achini Kulasuriya ended a spirited knock from Sumaiya Akter (38 off 42 balls) to provide the 7th breakthrough for the home side in the 47th over of the innings. Bangladesh eventually posted a competitive total of 242/8 in their quota of 50 overs.

Sharmin Akhter (71 off 101 balls) was the top-scorer with the bat for Bangladesh. Rabeya Khan (10* off 4 balls) provided the finishing touches to the innings, which took them closer to the 250-run mark. Dewmi Vihanga (7-1-26-2), Kavisha Dilhari (6-1-24-2), and Malki Madara (6-0-38-2) picked up a couple of wickets each with the ball for Sri Lanka. While the likes of Usedhika Prabodhani (6-2-26-1) and Inoka Ranaweera (6-0-18-0) played their part with the ball for their side.

Chasing a tricky total of 243, the Sri Lankan openers, Hasini Perera and skipper Chamari Athapaththu, got their side off to a cautious start with a 26-run opening stand. The pair didn’t last as long as they would’ve hoped, as Marufa Akter landed a massive blow to the home side, sending their skipper Chamari Athapaththu back to the pavilion in the 7th over of the innings to provide the massive first breakthrough for Bangladesh.

The home side kept losing wickets at regular intervals after the departure of their skipper early in the run chase. As a result, they found themselves in trouble at 86/4 in the 24th over of the innings. Nilakshika Silva joined Kavisha Dilhari at the crease, and the duo bailed their side out of trouble with a much-needed 98-run partnership for the 5th wicket, which not just took them closer to the 200-run mark but also got them firmly back into the contest.

Just when the duo were cruising along, the Bangladeshi bowlers found it difficult to dislodge the pair. Kavisha Dilhari (63 off 77 balls) provided them with an opening to pounce on, making her way back into the pavilion courtesy of a hit-wicket, possibly the last thing even an opposition in search of a breakthrough could hope for.

Piumi Wathsala (17 off 21 balls) joined Nilakshika Silva at the crease, and the duo took them closer to the 220-run mark with a crucial 34-run partnership for the 6th wicket. A double strike from Nahida Akter pushed the Sri Lankans further back into the run chase, reducing them to 218/7 in the 47th over of the run chase. With a recognised batter in Dewmi Vihanga (8* off 8 balls), at the other end, the lower order failed to hang around.

As a result, Sri Lanka fell agonising short of the target by one run courtesy of being bundled out for 241 in their quota of 50 overs. Nilakshika Silva (75 off 78 balls), Hasini Perera (34 off 44 balls), and Harshitha Samarawickrama (25 off 44 balls) played their part with the bat for Sri Lanka, getting them almost on the cusp of victory. Nahida Akter (10-0-28-3), Fahima Khatun (7-0-38-2), Marufa Akter (9-0-49-2), and Rabeya Khan (6-0-31-1) were impressive with the ball for Bangladesh.