Bangladesh sits sixth in the points table before its game against Sri Lanka at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Monday. But Fahima Khatun appeared confident about her team’s chances of making it to the semifinals of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

But then, it’s easier said than done.

Despite putting up a resilient performances so far, Bangladesh has a solitary win to show for its efforts. Now, to stay alive in the tournament, it needs to win its remaining two matches – against Sri Lanka and India. It subsequently needs England to beat New Zealand and India to keep its hopes of qualification alive.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, was robbed of the home advantage as two of its home games in Colombo were abandoned due to rain. Along with that, some insipid performances meant the Island nation could never really rise to the occasion. Even though it can still qualify for the semifinals mathematically, it needs multiple other results to go its way.

“There is a bit of mathematics, but for now, we are thinking of winning tomorrow’s game first,” said Sri Lanka’s head coach Rumesh Ratnayake.

As the venue hosts its first game of the tournament, Ratnayake expects it to be a ‘typical Mumbai wicket’ which could aid the batters. He added that clinching the ‘key moments’ will be crucial.

Both teams are expected to field full-strength sides. Bangladesh fast bowler Marufa Akter had suffered a back strain, but will be available for selection. Sri Lanka top-order batter Vishmi Gunarathne was struck on the knee in the previous game against South Africa. She returned to bat after the injury and is expected to make the lineup on Monday.

Coming into the tournament, hopes were pinned on Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu and her Bangladesh counterpart Nigar Sultana to spearhead their respective batting departments, but things didn’t quite go their way. While Nigar could score just 71 in five outings, Athapaththu failed to convert the starts and has so far scored 122 in four games.

Ahead of a crucial match, all eyes will once again be on the two captains.

Published on Oct 19, 2025