Sri Lanka clinched a spot in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals on Sunday, September 6, after edging past Bangladesh in a closely contested match in Dubai. The victory marks Sri Lanka’s third consecutive win, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
Bangladesh struggled to build momentum during their first innings, finishing on 114/8. While Dilara Akter provided a positive start, the middle order faltered against Sri Lankan spin, with Sobhana Mostary top-scoring with 34. Chamudi Prabodha led the bowling effort, supported by a disciplined unit that stifled the Bangladeshi batters.
The chase proved difficult for Sri Lanka, who were reduced to 44/5. By the end of 17 overs, the side stood at 86/6, requiring 29 runs from the final 18 balls. Harshitha Samarawickrama, who remained unbeaten on 48 off 37, anchored the recovery. After surviving a brilliant spell from Marufa Akter, who finished with 3/21, Samarawickrama shifted the momentum by hitting a four and the match’s first six in the 18th over.
Bangladesh’s challenge was further hampered by a slow over-rate penalty, which restricted them to only three fielders outside the 25-yard circle for the final two overs. Samarawickrama capitalized on this, striking another decisive six in the 19th over. She eventually hit the winning runs in the final over, securing the victory via a leg-bye amid desperate lbw appeals from the fielding side. Bangladesh now faces a must-win situation against the UAE in their final group-stage match, which will serve as a virtual quarter-final. The report also notes that but sparked a spirited fightback with the ball, reducing Sri Lanka to 44/5, but Harshitha Samarawickrama hung on until the end to take them over the line, against a m, bangladesh managed just 114/8 in their first innings. The report also notes that having seen off the last over of Marufa Akter’s superb spell of 3-21, samarawickrama was 28 off 30 then. The report also notes that and to add to Bangladesh’s woes, a slow over-rate penalty was applied, it eventually came down to 13 off 12.
