The Women’s World Cup is now filled with intense matches, as fans saw one of them yesterday between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Sri Lanka had a mediocre batting performance in the game, as they managed to score just 202 runs. With the target being low, fans expected Bangladesh
However, the game continued till the very last over, where Bangladesh failed to chase the target. Sri Lanka was able to secure a win in this intense clash by 7 runs, holding a mere chance of qualification to the semi-finals. On the other hand, Bangladesh also became the first team to be eliminated in the Women’s World Cup.
1. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
With a number of matches in Sri Lanka being affected by rain, the qualification scenario of various teams came against each other. Three teams were already qualified for the semis, as the clash for the one last spot remains. For this, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh faced each other in the 21st match of the tournament.
at DY Patil Stadium, allowing no rain interruptions. Sri Lanka won the toss in this crucial match and they decided to bat first. This decision helped the team a lot in the beginning of the game. Bangladesh seemed to have an upper hand, as they struck the wicket of Vishmi Gunaratne on the very first ball of the innings.
But then, Chamari Athapaththu and Hasini Perera had a stable partnership, which helped the team to reach a good total. Athapaththu lost her wicket after scoring 46 runs off 43 balls, missing out on her well-deserved half-century. Following this, two more wickets fell in quick succession,
Hasini Perera didn’t let that happen, and she also received the company of Nilakshika Silva. Both of them had a 74-run stand for the 5th wicket, as the team was put on 174/5. This is the point where Bangladeshi bowlers marked their comeback to the game. After this, the team conceded fewer runs in the remaining overs and took more wickets.
In 48.4 overs, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 202 runs. This target seemed to be easy for Bangladesh to chase. Also, a loss would have eliminated them from the tournament, so the team
But the team didn’t have a good start, as their top order crumbled. This put Bangladesh at the score of 44/3 within 16 overs. That’s when Sharmin Akhter and Nigar Sultana decided to go against the odds and help their team win the game. The skipper of the team scored 77 runs off 98 balls before losing her wicket to Chamari Athapaththu.
The equation for Bangladesh was down to 12 runs in 12 balls. But in the 49th over, the team scored 3 runs only, while also losing a wicket. In the final over, being bowled by Chamari Athapaththu, the Bangladeshi batters had no chance. During the final over, the team lost four consecutive wickets in four deliveries, conceding just one run.
Sri Lanka to win the match by 7 runs and maintain themselves in the playoffs race. But on the other hand, Bangladesh has become the first team to be eliminated from the Women’s World Cup.
2. India’s Qualification Chances
With Sri Lanka securing a win over Bangladesh, the qualification scenario for India has been enhanced. This win also puts Sri Lanka in the race for qualification and lowers the chances for New Zealand. Now, the clash between India and New Zealand on 23 October remains vital for the Indian team to qualify.
If India is able to win its next game against New Zealand, it will be able to directly make it to the semis. The team won’t have to wait for its match against Bangladesh to ensure that they have qualified for the semi-finals. This makes the clash against New Zealand important for the Indian team, as they wouldn’t like to go till the match
With India being close to qualification, there are chances that the team finishes at third spot in the standings. For this, it is necessary for India to win both of its next two games, which will be against New Zealand and Bangladesh. If the team loses even a single one of them,
at number four in the league stages.
But if India wins both games and South Africa loses both of its games, India will be able to finish at number three in the standings. This will be beneficial for the Indian team, as they will get a positive finish in the standings.