Following their historic victory against Australia, Bangladesh picked up their second consecutive win in the inaugural U-19 Women's Twenty20 World Cup as they defeated Sri Lanka by 10 runs in Benoni Monday.
The young Tigresses had registered Bangladesh women's first ever triumph against any Australian side across formats when they prevailed by seven wickets last Saturday, and two days later rose to the top of the Group A points table with another assured display.
Riding on half-centuries from Afia Prottasha (53) and Shorna Akter (50), Bangladesh, asked to bat first, posted 165 losing only two wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.
The openers laid the platform for the competitive total with a 75-run partnership, with Afia dominating the stand with her 43-ball knock featuring five fours and three sixes.
The Lankans seemed to have stemmed the flow with a double-wicket 12th over that left Bangladesh standing at 79/2 after the loss of opener Misty Shaha, who made 14 off 24.
But it was at this stage that the protagonists of the win against Australia, Dilara Akter (36 off 27) and Shorna (50 off 28), came together to propel Bangladesh to 165/2.
Wicketkeeper-batter Dilara and Shorna added 86 for the unbroken third wicket partnership.
Shorna struck three fours and two sixes in her whirlwind knock while Dilara hit three fours and a six.
In reply the Lankans were restricted to 155/4 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka were rattled early on in their innings, losing two wickets in the powerplay overs.
Skipper Vishmi Gunarathne (61 off 54) and Dewmi Wijerathne (55 off 44) settled down the innings, and their valiant partnership of 96 made sure that Sri Lanka were always in the hunt.
But Bangladesh's high total proved to be beyond their reach, with Marufa Akter the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with 2/19.
The girls in red and green are well and truly on their way to topping their group with the third and final match against the USA scheduled for Wednesday.
Bangladesh will be drawn in Group 1 of the Super Six stage, following which two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.
