Samarawickrama and Dulani Power Sri Lanka to 25-Run Win Over Bangladesh in T20I Opener

Key facts

• Sri Lanka women beat Bangladesh women by 25 runs in the first T20I of the series in Sylhet.
• Sri Lanka posted 161 runs; Bangladesh were bowled out for 136.
• Harshitha Samarawickrama scored 61 off 35 balls, with five fours and two sixes.
• Imesha Dulani also hit a half-century in Sri Lanka's innings.
• Shorna Akter scored a career-best 45 for Bangladesh in a losing cause.
• Nahida Akter played her 100th T20I, becoming only the second Bangladeshi woman to reach the milestone.
• The match was played on May 2, 2026, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka Dominate with Bat and Ball in Series Opener

Sri Lanka women's cricket team secured a 25-run victory over Bangladesh in the first T20I of their series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The visitors posted a formidable 161 runs before bowling out the hosts for 136, taking a 1-0 lead in the multi-match series. The win was built on a solid batting performance, with Harshitha Samarawickrama and Imesha Dulani both scoring half-centuries. Their partnership laid the foundation for a total that proved beyond Bangladesh's reach, despite a spirited fightback.

Samarawickrama and Dulani Anchor Sri Lanka's Innings

Harshitha Samarawickrama was the standout performer with a brilliant 61 runs off just 35 deliveries, striking five boundaries and two sixes. Her aggressive stroke play set the tone for Sri Lanka's innings, allowing the team to accelerate in the middle overs. Imesha Dulani complemented Samarawickrama with a half-century of her own, ensuring that Sri Lanka maintained a brisk scoring rate. The duo's contributions were instrumental in propelling the visitors to 161, a challenging target on a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers.

Bangladesh's Chase Stalls Despite Shorna Akter's Heroics

Bangladesh began their chase promisingly but lost wickets at regular intervals, disrupting any momentum they built. The hosts struggled to form significant partnerships, with only Shorna Akter offering resistance with a career-best 45 runs. Shorna's knock was the highlight of Bangladesh's innings, but she lacked support from the other end. The required run rate climbed steadily, and the Sri Lankan bowlers maintained pressure through tight lines and variations, eventually bowling out Bangladesh for 136.

Nahida Akter Reaches 100 T20I Milestone in Defeat

The match also marked a significant personal milestone for Bangladesh's Nahida Akter, who became only the second Bangladeshi women's cricketer to play 100 T20 Internationals. She joined an elite list, but the occasion was bittersweet as her team could not secure a victory to celebrate the achievement. Nahida's longevity in the format is a testament to her consistency and dedication, though the result highlighted the gap between the two sides on the day.

Series Outlook and Next Steps

With Sri Lanka taking a 1-0 lead, the pressure is now on Bangladesh to level the series in the remaining matches. The visitors will look to build on their all-round performance, while the hosts will need to address their batting frailties and find ways to counter Sri Lanka's bowling attack. The second T20I is scheduled to be played at the same venue, with both teams expected to make tactical adjustments. For Bangladesh, the focus will be on providing better support to their key batters and tightening their bowling to restrict Sri Lanka's scoring.

The bottom line

• Sri Lanka women defeated Bangladesh women by 25 runs in the first T20I of the series in Sylhet.
• Harshitha Samarawickrama scored 61 off 35 balls, and Imesha Dulani also hit a half-century.
• Bangladesh's Shorna Akter scored a career-best 45 but could not prevent defeat.
• Nahida Akter played her 100th T20I, becoming the second Bangladeshi woman to reach the milestone.
• Sri Lanka leads the series 1-0 with further matches to come.