The 1st ODI between Bangladesh Women and Sri Lanka Women takes place today, April 20, 2026, at Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, kicking off a three-match series followed by T20Is.
Bangladesh, ranked 7th, seeks redemption after a poor ODI World Cup showing with just one win, while 6th-ranked Sri Lanka rides momentum from a 2-1 series victory over West Indies.
Sri Lanka Women hold a dominant record, winning 10 of 14 ODIs against Bangladesh Women, with Bangladesh securing 2 wins and 2 no-results. This historical edge favors Sri Lanka in the series opener.
The Shahid Kamruzzaman Stadium pitch is dry and slow, assisting spinners throughout while offering early help to pacers with bounce and movement. Batting will toughen as the surface turns, with average scores projected at 180-220 runs; teams chasing may hold an advantage on this bowler-friendly track.
Predicted XIs
| Bangladesh Women | Sri Lanka Women |
|---|---|
| Nigar Sultana (c & wk) | Chamari Athapaththu (c) |
| Nahida Akter | Harshitha Samarawickrama |
| Sharmin Sultana | Imesha Dulani |
| Fargana Hoque | Nilakshika Silva |
| Sobhana Mostary | Hasini Perera |
| Fahima Khatun | Kavisha Dilhari |
| Ritu Moni | Dewmi Vihanga |
| Rabeya Khan | Inoka Ranaweera |
| Shorna Akter | Malki Madara |
| Marufa Akter | Kawya Kavindi |
| Fariha Trisna | Sugandika Kumari |
Key Players
Bangladesh relies on captain Nigar Sultana (1,474 ODI runs at 27.29 avg, including 1 ton and 8 fifties) for batting stability and leadership on turning tracks. Spinners Rabeya Khan (33 wickets at 28.72 avg) and Nahida Akter (75 wickets at 23.56 avg, best 5/21) are pivotal for middle-over control and wickets. For Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu stands out with over 4,000 ODI runs, a 195* high score, and bowling prowess like 4/42 vs Bangladesh in 2025.
Prediction
Sri Lanka Women are favored to win due to superior head-to-head dominance (10-2), recent form, and captain Athapaththu’s all-round impact on spin-friendly pitches. Bangladesh’s home spinners could challenge, but expect a low-scoring thriller with Sri Lanka edging it by 20-30 runs or restricting Bangladesh below 200.
