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World Cup Heartbreak: Bangladesh Out After Last-Over Hat-trick; Sri Lanka Wins by 7 Runs

Shivansh Rana | 4 min read | 3 months ago | Oct 23, 2025 01:07 am IST
World Cup Heartbreak: Bangladesh Out After Last-Over Hat-trick; Sri Lanka Wins by 7 Runs

So close, yet so far. Bangladesh’s spirited run in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 came to a devastating end on October 21, 2025. In a match that will be remembered for its sheer drama, they suffered a gut-wrenching seven-run defeat to Sri Lanka in Navi Mumbai, a loss that officially knocked them out of the tournament after a collapse that no one saw coming.

Key Takeaways

  • Bangladesh was eliminated from the Women’s World Cup 2025 after a dramatic 7-run loss to Sri Lanka.
  • Chasing 203, they needed just 12 runs from the final two overs before a stunning collapse.
  • Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu took four wickets in the final over, including a hat-trick, to win the match.
  • Captain Nigar Sultana (77) and Sharmin Akhter (64 not out) scored brilliant half-centuries that went in vain.
  • Young spinner Shorna Akter had earlier impressed, taking three wickets for just 27 runs.

What Just Happened?

Look, there’s no other way to put it. This was a heist. Bangladesh had this game in the bag. Chasing a modest 203, they were sailing smoothly. Captain Nigar Sultana was brilliant for her 77, and Sharmin Akhter was holding the other end strong with an unbeaten 64. The equation was simple: 12 runs needed from the last 12 balls. Victory felt inevitable. You could almost touch it.

But cricket is a funny old game, isn’t it? The pressure of a World Cup can do strange things. And what happened next was pure, unadulterated chaos that sealed their fate.

Athapaththu’s Unbelievable Final Over

Enter Chamari Athapaththu. The Sri Lankan skipper decided to bowl the final over herself, and what an inspired decision it was. She didn’t just win the game; she snatched it away with a performance for the ages. She took not one, not two, but four wickets in the over. Yeah, you read that right. Four. Including a hat-trick.

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It was a stunning display of clutch bowling that left the Bangladesh dugout in complete disbelief. From a position of absolute strength, they crumbled, ending their chase just seven runs short. It was the kind of heartbreak that will sting for a very, very long time.

A Campaign of Fighting Spirit

But honestly, you can’t say they didn’t fight. This loss overshadows a campaign where Bangladesh showed real grit. They started with a solid victory over Pakistan and pushed powerhouse teams like England and South Africa in earlier matches. The young leg-spinner Shorna Akter was a revelation against Sri Lanka, her spell of 3 for 27 in 10 overs being the very reason they were chasing a gettable total in the first place.

Expert Analysis: The Bigger Picture

This loss brings up a bigger conversation. While this was a T20I match, concerns are growing in the cricket world about a proposed two-tier Test system. Many experts believe such a structure could limit opportunities for developing teams like Bangladesh to compete regularly against elite nations. Getting more high-pressure games is the only way to learn how to win them, and this heartbreaking loss is a painful reminder of how crucial that experience is.

What’s Next for Bangladesh?

Though their World Cup dream is over, their tournament isn’t. They have one more match to play, a matter of pride against India on October 26 at the DY Patil Stadium. It’s a chance to end their campaign on a high and show the world they belong on this stage. Can they pull off one last surprise?

Was this the most shocking finish of the World Cup so far? Let us know what you think.