U19 Women’s World T20: SL falls 10 short; Bangladesh continues to impress

Bangladesh continued to impress in the inaugural Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, as they held off a determined Sri Lanka challenge at Willowmoore Park B Field on Tuesday.

Bangladesh eventually prevailed by ten runs and remain undefeated since touching down on South African soil. This latest victory was built on a terrific foundation laid with bat in hand, after they had been put in to bat first by Vishmi Gunaratne.

A 75-run, opening stand by Misty Shaha (14) and the free-scoring Afia Prottasha, who notched a 43-ball 53. In the process, she hammered three sixes, and sprinkled five boundaries into the mix.

She was the first wicket to fall, just as she seemed set to kick on to what was shaping to be a glittering century. Shaha was then run out after good work from Gunaratne. Those two wickets were two balls apart, and Bangladesh needed to start again at 79 for two.

Dilara Akter (36 not out) and Shorna Akter (50 not out from just 28 balls) did exactly that, adding an unbroken 86 for the third wicket. Shorna was particularly brutal, with two sixes and three boundaries – as well as aggressive running between the wickets.

Needing to score at over 8 to the over, Sri Lanka needed a flying start. Instead, they lost Nethmi Senarathna to the fourth ball of the innings. Fellow opener Sumudu Nisansala followed just three balls later, bowled by Disha Biswas, as Bangladesh’s bowling took control.

Gunaratne then led from the front, wrestling her side back into the contest. Her 61 not out, struck off 54 balls, formed part of an alliance of 96 for the third wicket with Dewmi Wijerathne, who weighed in with a 44-ball 55.

While they were both at the crease, Sri Lanka had a genuine interest in winning the contest. They struck 15 fours and three sixes between themselves, as they pushed Bangladesh to the very end. It was Marufa Akter who made the crucial break, trapping Wijerathne leg-before in the 17th over.

Manuda Nanayakkara was then run out, as the Sri Lankans got more desperate. Dulanga Dissanayake clubbed fours from each of the three deliveries she faced, but the mountain had become too steep by that stage.

Gunaratne was left on 61 not out, ten runs short and wondering what could have been.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh U19: 165 for two (20) (Afia Prottasha 53, Shorna Akter 50 not out, Dilara Akter 36 not out)

Sri Lanka U19: 155 for four (20) (Vishmi Gunaratne 61 not out, Dewmi Wijerathne 55, Marufa Akter 2/19)