Shorna Akter Shines as Bangladesh Restricts Sri Lanka to 202

Navi Mumbai, Oct 20 (PTI) An inspirational bowling performance by Shorna Akter, who claimed 3 wickets for 27 runs, enabled Bangladesh to limit Sri Lanka to a manageable total of 202, despite a career-best knock of 85 by Hasini Perera in their decisive Women's World Cup clash on Monday.

Perera's innings, which consisted of 13 boundaries and a six from 99 balls, formed the backbone of Sri Lanka's batting effort. Her maiden ODI fifty included crucial partnerships with Chamari Athapaththu, who scored 46, and Nilakshika Silva, who contributed 37. However, it was Shorna's impressive spell of 10 overs, including four maiden overs and three key wickets, that stole the limelight.

Two chances were handed to Perera, who was dropped when on 55 and 63. Despite these let-offs, it was a fatigued shot that led to her dismissal, cutting short her chance of a well-deserved century and allowing Bangladesh to gain a foothold in the match.

Sri Lanka's innings appeared poised for a hefty first-innings tally until a late sequence of dismissals, starting with Silva, curtailed their progress. Silva's 74-run association with Perera seemed set to put the match beyond Bangladesh's reach until Shorna's intervention.

The catalyst for Sri Lanka's collapse, Shorna made a significant impact by having Silva caught at short third man in the 32nd over, before dismissing Anushka Sanjeewani with an easy return catch. Perera then fell victim to Shorna's skillful delivery in a failed attempt at a reverse sweep, leaving her plumb in front of the stumps.

Perera's downfall was the result of a significant misjudgment as she attempted a reverse sweep without stretching forward, a lapse that proved costly as she lost a valuable contest against the on-field decision. This collapse resulted in Sri Lanka being bowled out for 202 in 48.4 overs after being comfortably placed at 174 for four in the 32nd over.

Earlier performances included a notable 46 from Athapaththu, highlighted by two sixes and six fours, though she fell short of the big score she seemed destined for. Her innings commenced with a cover drive for four and a commanding six over cover off Marufa Akter in the fifth over.

Athapaththu's milestone was achieved during a 72-run partnership for the second wicket with Perera after Sri Lanka suffered a setback on the very first ball of the match, when Marufa trapped Vishmi Gunaratne lbw for a duck. Athapaththu's innings marked a historic achievement, making her the first Sri Lankan woman to surpass 4,000 ODI runs.

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