Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva steer Sri Lanka to win over Bangladesh

Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva shared an unbeaten 100run partnership as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in a lowscoring match to register their second consecutive win in the ICC Womens T20 World CupOpting to bat on Sunday night Bangladesh posted a paltry 126 for 8 which Sri Lanka eclipsed in 182 overs by reaching 129 for 3Samarawickrama 69 not out and De Silva 41 not out were the architect of Sri Lankas chase as they shared unconquered 104 runs for the fourth wickets as the islanders were reduced to 26 for 3 in the PowerplaySeamer Marufa Akter 323 ripped through the Sri Lankan toporder but Samarawickrama and De Silva steadied the ship to claim Sri Lankas first ever backtoback wins at a Womens T20 World Cup and extend their impressive start in Group ABangladesh were restricted to the belowpar total courtesy Oshadi Ranasinghes fine spell of 3 for 23Also readWomens T20 World Cup England favourites against IrelandOpening batter Murshida Khatun was run out after facing just a single delivery from a fabulous direct hit from Inoka Ranaweera at short fine legSobhana Mostary and wicketkeeper Shamima Sultana set about laying the foundation for the innings before Shamima was stumped by opposite number Anushka Sanjeewani off the bowling of Ranasinghe for 20That brought Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana to the crease who helped construct a patient partnership alongside No3 SobhanaBut it ended inside the 10th over when Sobhana was bowled by skipper Chamari Athapaththu for 29Bangladesh were struggling to build meaningful partnerships as wickets continued to fall at regular intervalsShamima succumbed to Ranasinghe for 28 before the offspinner claimed her third victim by getting Lata Mondal stumped for 11That left Bangladesh with considerable work to do during the final five overs but Shorna Akter Ritu Moni and Nahida Akter were all dismissed cheaplySri Lanka may have fancied their chances setting out in pursuit of a chaseablelooking target but Marufu had other ideas after being handed the ballThe seamer remarkably removed Athapaththu Vishmi Gunaratne and Sanjeewani without conceding a single run in her spell tearing through the Sri Lankan toporder to leave them reeling at 26 for three inside the powerplayBut that brought the composed duo of Samarawickrama and De Silva to the crease who set about the recovery missionThe duo showed no signs of letting their everincreasing grip on the game slip bringing up their hundred partnership in the 19th over and guiding their country to a historic second win at NewlandsSri Lanka had earlier stunned hosts South Africa by three in the tournament openerBrief ScoresBangladesh 126 for 8 in 20 overs Sobhana Mostary 29 Nigar Sultana 28 Oshadi Ranasinghe 323 Chamari Athapaththu 219 beat Sri Lanka 129 for 3 in 182 overs Harshitha Samarawickrama 69 not out Nilakshi de Silva 41 not out Marufa Akter 323 by 7 wicketsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever