In a crucial Women’s World Cup match held in Navi Mumbai on October 20, 2025, Bangladesh’s Shorna Akter delivered a truly inspiring bowling performance. Her impressive spell of 3 wickets for just 27 runs was instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total of 202, despite a career-best knock of 85 from Hasini Perera.
Hasini Perera was undoubtedly the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s innings, crafting a magnificent 85 runs from 99 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six. This maiden half-century saw her build two crucial partnerships with Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37). However, it was Shorna who ultimately seized control, boasting an exceptional bowling analysis of 10 overs, 4 maidens, 27 runs, and 3 wickets.
Interestingly, Perera’s career-high ODI score of 85 could have been cut short earlier, as she was given lifelines when dropped on 55 and 63 runs.
Unfortunately for Sri Lanka’s number three batter, her valiant effort was cut short by a somewhat tired shot late in the innings. This not only denied her a well-deserved century but also handed Bangladesh a crucial opening, which they expertly exploited.
At one point, Sri Lanka seemed set to post a formidable first-innings total. However, a sudden collapse of wickets began with Shorna dismissing Nilakshika Silva, breaking a dangerous 74-run fifth-wicket partnership with Perera that had threatened to pull the game out of Bangladesh’s reach.
Shorna Akter truly orchestrated Sri Lanka’s downfall. After having Silva caught at short third in the 32nd over, she quickly followed up by catching Anushka Sanjeewani off her own bowling with a straightforward return catch.
The 18-year-old right-arm spinner then outsmarted Perera with a deceptive loopy delivery. Attempting a poorly executed reverse sweep, Perera was caught on her backfoot, directly in front of the leg stump.
Perera, known for her wide range of ground strokes, paid dearly for her unconventional reverse sweep attempt from a vertical stance, failing to play the ball in a traditional manner. Her subsequent review against the umpire’s ‘out’ decision proved unsuccessful.
After being in a commanding position at 174 for four in the 32nd over and eyeing a strong finish, Sri Lanka remarkably crumbled, being bowled out for a mere 202 runs in 48.4 overs.
Earlier in the innings, Chamari Athapaththu had contributed a fluent 46 runs, including two sixes and six fours. Despite looking well-set for a larger score, her innings was cut short.
Athapaththu started confidently with a boundary through the covers. The highlight of her knock was a powerful lofted six over cover off Marufa Akter (who finished with 1/36) in the fifth over.
The Sri Lankan captain was the more aggressive partner in her 72-run second-wicket collaboration with Perera. This partnership was vital, coming after Marufa Akter had rocked their side on the very first ball of the match, trapping Vishmi Gunaratne (0) plumb in front.
In a notable individual achievement, Athapaththu also made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to surpass the milestone of 4,000 runs in One Day Internationals.