Bangladesh Falls Short as Sri Lanka Advances to Last Four in Dubai

Dubai – The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 saw Sri Lanka outplay Bangladesh by four wickets, sealing a place in the semi‑finals and extending their winning run to three matches in a row.

Bangladesh elected to bat first on a palm‑fringed pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their top order managed a modest 31‑run partnership between Dilara Akhtar and Juwairia Firdous, but the latter was dismissed after a brisk 14‑run spell that featured three fours. Akhtar added 26 before succumbing, and the team slumped to 52 for 3 after 9.5 overs.

Shobhna Mostari and Shorna Akhtar steadied the innings with a 41‑run stand, pushing the total to 114 before the last wicket fell. Mostari’s 34 runs, highlighted by four boundaries, were the highest score for Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Chamudi Prabodha’s three wickets for 21 runs in four overs led the attack, while Sugandhika Kumari claimed two wickets. Captain Chamari Athapaththu and bowler Kavisha Dilhari each picked up a wicket, ensuring Bangladesh never built a winning partnership.

In response, Sri Lanka’s chase wavered at 7 runs after the early dismissal of captain Athapaththu. The side lost five wickets for 44 runs, but a crucial partnership between Nilakshi Silva (18) and Harshita Samarawickrama (48*) revived the innings. Samarawickrama’s unbeaten knock, laced with two sixes and four fours, guided Sri Lanka to victory with five balls remaining.

The win crowns Sri Lanka as the leader of Group B and sets up an exciting semi‑final clash, while Bangladesh must regroup after a disappointing outing.