Athapaththu’s return guides Sri Lanka to level Bangladesh series
The veteran all-rounder was instrumental in the visitors pulling one back against Bangladesh in the second of the three ODIs.
Chamari Athapaththu made instant impact on her return from a finger injury as Sri Lanka levelled up the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, setting up a riveting decider on Saturday.
Having missed the first ODI, the Sri Lankan skipper was the Player of the Match in a four-wicket win, her all-round show fueling her side’s belief on the road to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
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With Sri Lanka having been put in to field first, Athapaththu was the pick of the bowlers, nabbing a three-wicket haul as the visitors reduced Bangladesh for 165.
Off her eight overs, Athapaththu conceded at an economy of just 4.50 to keep the pressure on Bangladesh.
It wasn’t the first time Athapaththu had put in a decisive bowling display against Bangladesh. During her last ODI appearance against this opposition back in October 2025 at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the seasoned campaigner had sparked one of the comebacks of the tournament in a thrilling finish.
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Athapaththu also got Sri Lanka going with the bat in their chase. The opener dominated the Bangladesh bowling in her knock of 40 runs off 39 deliveries, which included eight boundaries.
The 36-year-old’s performance comes after head coach Jamie Siddons had backed her commitment to continue playing for Sri Lanka at the highest level.
"Chamari, I've had a great chat with her. She is keen to play for a lot longer than one or two more years," Siddons had said.
In her previous assignment earlier this year with Sri Lanka, Athapaththu had finished as the highest scorer for her team in the ODI and T20I series win against West Indies.
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Other than the skipper, Harshitha Samarawickrama (50) and Hansima Karunaratne (40) were also key contributors in their team’s victory.
For Bangladesh, who arrived into the contest on the back of their win in the opening ODI, skipper Nigar Sultana (58) was the top scorer while Nahida Akter impressed with the ball, notching figures of 4/21.
Both the teams will square off in the third and final ODI on Saturday, April 25. This will be followed by a three-match T20I series, which will serve as crucial preparation ahead of this summer’s Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.
Bangladesh are slotted in Group 1 alongside India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Netherlands.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka feature in Group 2 with the defending champions New Zealand, West Indies, England, Scotland and Ireland. They will square off against hosts England in the opening game of the tournament on June 12 at Edgabaston.