Bangladesh women’s cricket team fell to a 21-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the second T20I of the three-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 30 April 2026, handing the visitors the series with one match still to play. The final game is now nothing more than a formality.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty won the toss and opted to field, and her side made a promising start with the ball. Sri Lanka lost their first wicket with just 22 runs on the board, keeping the run rate comfortably below six. However, that early momentum would prove short-lived.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu steadied the innings with a composed 42 off 37 balls, and Imesha Dulani contributed a brisk 27 off 25 to keep the scoreboard ticking. Once the two departed, Nilakshika Silva and Harshitha Samarawickrama took the game away from Bangladesh with a commanding 61-run fourth-wicket partnership. Harshitha was particularly destructive, smashing 49 off just 29 balls before falling on the final delivery of the innings. Silva finished unbeaten on 22 off 18. Sri Lanka closed their innings on 154 for 4.
For Bangladesh, Fariha Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Nahida Akter and Ritu Moni each claimed one wicket apiece, though none could truly contain the damage.
Bangladesh began their chase with intent, putting on 46 for the opening wicket entirely within the powerplay. Dilara Akter contributed 23 before departing, and Juairiya Ferdous a former hockey player turned explosive batter kept the momentum alive with a punchy 29 off 23 balls, peppered with boundaries and a six. But her dismissal proved the turning point, and Bangladesh’s innings began to unravel.
Sharmin Akhter fought admirably, guarding one end throughout with 45 off 47 balls, but her measured approach could not compensate for the lack of firepower around her. Three run-outs further hampered the chase, a damaging bout of self-inflicted pressure Bangladesh could ill afford. Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lanka bowlers, claiming two wickets, and was named Player of the Match for her efforts. Bangladesh were bowled out for 133 for 5, falling 21 runs short.
Sri Lanka have now sealed the series 2–0 with a game to spare, having won the opening match by 25 runs at the same venue. Bangladesh will look to salvage some pride in the third and final T20I, but the series has well and truly slipped from their grasp.