Skipper Chamari Athapaththu produced a dream final over, scalping three wickets to help Sri Lanka beat a spirited Bangladesh by seven runs in a low-scoring thriller in the women's World Cup, in Navi Mumbai, on Sunday.
The Lankans, who were under pressure almost throughout the second half after they folded for 202 in 48.5 overs -- thanks to an 85 off 99 by Hasini Perera and Athapaththu's 46 off 43 balls, slayed Bangladesh in the last over of the contest as combative knocks from skipper Nigar Sultana (77) and Sharmin Akhter (64 retired hurt) went in vain.
Bangladesh dropped to seventh spot while Sri Lanka moved up to sixth with four points, similar to that of India (fourth) and New Zealand (fifth), only net run-rate separating these teams.
With nine runs needed for victory in the final over, Bangladesh failed despite skipper Sultana being at the crease, as Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu pulled it off, conceding just one run, to keep her side in contention for a berth in the final four.
Athapaththu trapped Rabeya Khan leg-before with the first delivery of the over and on the second Nahida Akter was run-out at the non-striker's end by a direct hit.
The game's fate, which ended in heartbreak for Bangladesh, was sealed when Sultana hit one straight to Nilakshika Silva at long-off off the third delivery and Athapaththu trapped Marufa Akter for a first-ball leg-before with the fourth.
Bangladesh, who were 176 for 3, ended up with 195 for 9 in their 50 overs.
But before the game swung Sri Lanka's way they looked set for their first-ever win over the island nation in the 50-overs’ format following a gritty 82-run stand for the fourth wicket between Sultana and Akhter.
Sultana and Akhter took charge when Bangladesh were reduced to 44 for three inside 16 overs, and giving Sri Lanka absolutely no chance to break through, they took their side from a position of trouble to one that almost guaranteed them a win.
Sultana and Akhter opted for an attritional approach after Bangladesh slipped to 44 for three inside 16 overs, taking their time to settle in and grind it out for what might have turned out to be a match-winning partnership of 82 runs for the fourth wicket.
Neither of the two right-handers took any unwanted risks and built their innings back from a precarious position.
Akhter, who faced 104 balls for her 64 runs with four boundaries and a six, had to retire hurt in the 36th over as she was struggling with the humidity but not before setting up the platform for Bangladesh's second win in the tournament.
Earlier, an inspiring spell by Shorna Akter (3/27) helped Bangladesh bowl out Sri Lanka for a modest 202 after Perera's career-best 85.
Perera (85 off 99 balls, 13x4s, 1x6s) was the fulcrum of Sri Lanka's innings with a maiden fifty, forging two vital stands with Chamari Athapaththu (46) and Nilakshika Silva (37) on the way, but Shorna took away the bragging rights with a fine spell of 10-4-27-3.
Perera's 85, now her highest ODI score, also featured two dropped catches as she was put down on 55 and 63.
The Sri Lankan No. 3 had herself to blame for a tired-looking shot late in the innings which not only denied her a deserving century but gave Bangladesh an unexpected opening, which they fully capitalised on.
Sri Lanka appeared to be on course for a daunting first-innings total but a flurry of wickets, which began with Silva being dismissed by Shorna, ending a 74-run fifth wicket stand with Perera which threatened to take the game away for Bangladesh.
Shorna was the architect of Sri Lanka's slide as, after getting Silva caught at short third in the 32nd over, she had Anushka Sanjeewani back in shade for an easy return grab.
And then, in a poor execution of the reverse sweep, the 18-year-old right-arm spinner Shorna's loopy delivery hit Perera on her backfoot in front of the leg stump.
Perera, who displayed a rich array of strokes especially along the ground, paid a hefty price for attempting to reverse sweep from a vertical position and not reaching out to play the ball conventionally, and her challenge against on-field call of out was futile.
From a comfortable 174 for four in the 32nd over and looking set for a big finish, Sri Lanka folded meekly for 202 all-out in 48.4 overs.
Earlier, Athapaththu made a strokeful 46, which included two sixes and six fours, and even as she looked primed for a big knock, it wasn't meant to be.
Athapaththu began with a four through covers but a lofted hit for a six over cover off Marufa Akter (1/36) in the fifth over was the highlight of her innings.
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