Bangladesh fall again

The Bangladesh women team congregate in celebration after capturing a Sri Lanka wicket during their tri-nation tournament at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday. Photo: Courtesy

Eshani Kaushalya slammed an unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka handed a 76-run defeat to Bangladesh to brighten their chance to play the final of the tri-nation women's cricket tournament at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra yesterday.
It was the second successive loss of the hosts after their seven-wicket defeat in the first game against Pakistan at the same venue and poor batting caused the heavy defeats both the occasions.
In front of a cheering crowd, Sri Lanka made a brilliant start after deciding to bat first when Dedunu Silva and Chamari Polgampola shared 62-runs in the opening stand.
With the departure of de Silva for a 46-ball 30, the visitors innings saw a sudden hiccup as they were reduced to 107 for five but number seven batsman Kaushalya took the charge as Sri Lanka put up a decent total of 211-9 in their share of 50 overs.
During her unbeaten 43-ball 60 the right-hander smote seven fours and a six while Polgampola added 31 off 79 deliveries that featured three boundaries.
Kaushalya got good support from two tail-enders Dilani Manodara (20) and Sripali Weerakkody (18 not out) while the local bowlers conceded 29 extras.
Shohely Akhter was the most successful bowler with 3-23 while Salma Khatun and Champa Chakma took two wickets each.
In reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 135 runs in 47.5 overs.
Ayesha Akhter (33) and Panna Ghosh (20) looked good in the second wicket stand but both fell victims of run out and the Bangladesh innings saw two more run outs.
The teams will travel to Khulna today to play three more matches and the final will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on February 17.
BRIEF SCORE
SRI LANKA: 211-9 in 50 overs (de Silva 30, Polgampala 31, Galagedera 11, Siriwardane 10, Kaushalya 60 not out, Manodara 20, Weerakkody 18 not out, extras 29; Salma 2-53, Champa 2-37, Shohely 3-23).
BANGLADESH: 135 all out in 47.5 overs (Ayesha 33, Panna 20, Tithi 16 not out, extras 21; Weerakkody 1-14, Wiekramasinghe 1-24, Polgampala 3-26).
Result: Sri Lanka won by 76 runs.