Host Sri Lanka started its campaign in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup on a positive note, beating Bangladesh by seven wickets here on Saturday.
After restricting Bangladesh to a modest 111 for eight, Sri Lanka completed the task with 17 balls to spare, reaching 114/3 in 17.1 overs.
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh was off to a disastrous start and lost three wickets with just six runs on the board. It soon became 17/4, and then 48/5, before skipper Nigar Sultana steadied the sinking ship with a 48-run knock that came off 59 balls and included six boundaries.
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Down the order, Shorna Akter contributed a brisk 14-ball 25 as Bangladesh crossed 100.
Udeshika Prabodhani (2/20) and Inoshi Priyadharshani (2/17) grabbed two wickets each for Sri Lanka, while there was one apiece for Sugandika Kumari, Kavisha Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu.
For Sri Lanka, opener Vishmi Gunaratne was the highest scorer with 51 off 48 balls, hitting seven fours and a six in her knock.
Harshitha Samarawickrama chipped in with 33 in 31 balls and got out with her team on the doorstep of victory.
Nahida Akter was the best bowler for Bangladesh, finishing with fine figures of 3/12 in her quota of four overs.
