"VAN" (Sports Desk - 29.09.2025) :: Bangladesh and India rounded off their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 preparations by claiming victory in their second and final warm-up matches.
Bangladesh showed nerves of steel to defeat Sri Lanka by a single run in a thrilling encounter in Colombo, while India enjoyed a statement win over New Zealand in Bangaluru.
Marufa Akter holds firm to deny hosts
Marufa Akter successfully defended nine runs in the final over to claim victory for Bangladesh in their warm-up match against Sri Lanka.
After the hosts fell from 56 for one to 86 for four, Kaveesha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva scored half-centuries to steady the ship in their pursuit of 243, Sharmin Akhter top-scoring with 71 for Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka were then well set on 218 for five but Nahida Akter dismissed Piumi Wathsala and Anushka Sanjeewani in the 47th over before removing Nilakshika in the 49th to finish with three for 28.
It fell to Marufa to seal victory for her side, the final over bringing three wickets as Sri Lanka fell just short.
India bounce back with statement win
After defeat to England last time out, India returned to winning ways with a four-wicket win (DLS) over New Zealand.
In a match delayed by the rain, India reduced the White Ferns to 38 for two before Sophie Devine (54), Maddy Green (49 not out) and Amelia Kerr (40) helped them to 232 for eight from 42 overs.
In reply, Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur carried India to the brink of victory with an excellent 132-run stand for the third wicket.
Deol retired out on 74 and a flurry of wickets followed, including Kaur for 69, but India scrambled over the line with 10 balls to spare.
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