Nigar Sultana powers Bangladesh Women to win six-wicket T20I win over Sri Lanka Women

An unbeaten half-century from their captain Nigar Sultana powered Bangladesh Women to a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka Women in the first T20I played in Colombo today. 

With 25 runs needed off the last two overs, Sultana struck a six and four off the final two deliveries of the 19th over, bowled by Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, which cost the hosts 17 runs.  

Sultana then took her team over the line off the penultimate ball of the innings, to give the Bangladesh Women a 1-0 series lead. 

For Sri Lanka, Athapaththu scored 38 off 28 balls at the top of the innings, before Harshitha Samarawickrama top scored with 45, as the hosts ended their 20 overs on 145/6. 

Sultana though, fashioned a recovery after Bangladesh were reduced to 23/2 in the fifth over, with partnerships of 51 with Sobhana Mostary and 71 with Ritu Mori. 

Scores: 
Sri Lanka Women 145/6 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 45, Chamari Athapaththu 38, Fahima Khatun 2/20)
Bangladesh Women 146/4 in 19.5 overs (Nigar Sultana 75*, Ritu moni 33, Udeshika Prabodhani 1/7)