Bangladesh’s latest attempt to move its T20 World Cup games from India to Sri Lanka has failed at the ICC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), the Press Trust of India reports. On Jan 21, Bangladesh lost by a 14–2 margin in a vote at the ICC, leaving them with no option but to travel to India to play in next month’s showcase event. PTI said Bangladesh then approached the DRC to overturn that decision.

However, under clause 1.3 of its own rules, the DRC has no authority to act as an appellate body against decisions taken by the ICC or any ICC-approved committee. As a result, the DRC rejected Bangladesh’s application, saying ICC regulations placed the matter outside its jurisdiction.

PTI added that an announcement on which country will get the slot instead of Bangladesh could come on Saturday.

Opener Rubaiya Haider Jhelik marked her WODI debut with a match-winning half-century as Bangladesh beat Pakistan by seven wickets in their opening ICC Women’s World Cup fixture in Colombo on Thursday. The Tigresses produced a clinical all-round display at the R Premadasa Stadium to begin their World Cup campaign on a high.

Bangladesh’s bowlers set the tone early, with pacer Marufa Akter striking twice in the very first over, removing Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin. Spinners Shorna Akter (3-5) and Nahida Akter (2-19) then tightened the grip, helping bowl out Pakistan for just 129 runs in 38.3 overs after they had opted to bat first.

In reply, debutant Jhelik stole the spotlight with an unbeaten 54 off 77 balls, laced with eight boundaries. She forged a vital 62-run third-wicket partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (23 off 44), before Sobhana Mostary’s quickfire 24 off 19 balls, featuring six fours, sealed the chase. Bangladesh reached 131-3 in 31.1 overs to clinch a comprehensive victory.

Sri Lanka chased down a daunting target of 170 with six wickets in hand to knock Afghanistan out of the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Sri Lanka wrapped up their Group B fixtures unbeaten, with the former champions getting home with eight deliveries to spare. Having topped the group, Sri Lanka marched into the second round, with Bangladesh joining them as the other qualifier.

It was quick Nuwan Thushara who set the tone, rattling through the Afghan top order with four wickets. Then it was wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis who stole the limelight in the chase, crafting an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls with 10 boundaries.

Opening the innings, Mendis dropped anchor against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted four-pronged spin attack. He later shifted gears in a blistering 52-run stand off just 23 balls for the fifth wicket with his namesake Kamindu Mendis. Sri Lanka had their noses in front from the moment Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Thushara struck twice in his second over, eventually finishing with four for 18.

At 137 for seven heading into the final over, Afghanistan looked dead and buried, but veteran Mohammad Nabi turned the script on its head. The all-rounder bludgeoned 32 runs off the last over, lifting his side to a fighting 169 for eight.

Dunith Wellalage, playing his first T20 since November 2024, dropped Nabi on five, a mistake that cost dearly. Thrown the ball for the final over, the left-arm spinner was carted for five sixes, conceding the second-most expensive over by a Sri Lankan in T20 history. Nabi finished with a whirlwind 60 off 22 balls, peppered with three fours and six sixes, his half-century equalling the record for the quickest by an Afghan batter.

Bangladesh’s inability to go big after promising starts once again came under scrutiny following their seven-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in their first T20I in Pallekele on Thursday. Despite a solid start, the Tigers stumbled in the middle overs and ended with a below-par 154 for five, a total Sri Lanka chased down with ease and an over to spare.

Bangladesh played an eleven with four openers at the top, two of whom, Mohammad Naim (32) and Parvez Hossain Emon (38), scored 30-plus knocks, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 29, but none could reach the fifty-mark. However, for the hosts, Kusal Mendis struck a half-century (73 off 42) and Pathum Nissanka played a rapid 42 off 16 balls, which exposed the Tigers’ poor batting approach. Spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed believes the batters’ failure to turn 30s and 40s into bigger scores was a decisive factor in the match.

‘When a batsman is in form and gets 30s or 40s, the next challenge is to convert those into 70s and 80s,’ Mushtaq told reporters after the game.

He pointed to Sri Lanka’s Kusal as a model of consistency. ‘That’s what Kusal did — he consistently made those big scores, and that’s why he troubled our bowling attack. For us, one of our batsmen needs to do the same,’ While Bangladesh showed gleams of aggression — including a reverse-sweep six by Shamim Hossain — Mushtaq said execution in crucial moments was missing.

‘Shamim showed positive intent with that reverse-sweep six right after coming in. But to post winning totals on challenging pitches, you need to bat long and convert those starts into bigger scores.’

Openers Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim were once again among the runs but failed to push on to play a match-defining knock. Bangladesh scored 54 runs during the first powerplay but found themselves at 116-4 after 16 overs, eventually ended up with a total that Mushtaq had identified as a below-par score on the surface.

‘Good partnerships and the ability to bat longer will take us a long way,’ Mushtaq said, noting that building innings and batting deep remain key goals for the side.

Mehidy and Naim added 61 runs off 52 balls in a steady stand, but the slow batting left questions about intent with power-hitting ability. Skipper Liton Das was the only batter unable to reach double figures, dismissed lbw after scoring six. He also called for the batting unit to improve.

‘We didn’t get many runs. It’s not just today’s game, last 7-8 matches, I think the batters who are in have to take responsibility,’ Liton said in the post-match presentation.

Bangladesh will play the second T20I against Sri Lanka at the Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.