Sri Lanka team for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup
- “Head Coach has made an impact with the team since his arrival”
Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team Captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed confidence that they could put up a good performance defending the Asia Cup which commences in Dubai on 28 August.
Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup in the last edition played in Sri Lanka in 2024 defeating India in the final by eight wickets.
“When you go as the defending champions the focus is a lot on you and there are a lot of expectations from the supporters, so every game is important especially the one against UAE who are playing at their home venue. It is our first game and a very important one at that,” said Athapaththu shortly before the team’s departure to Dubai on Monday evening.
“We are going to this tournament having performed well in the T20 World Cup although we couldn’t make it to the knockouts, and also with wins against Pakistan in the WT20Is (2-1) and WODIs (2-1). What I see special with this squad is that apart from being mentally in good shape the players are also in good form. We have corrected most of our mistakes and I believe we can give a good account of ourselves.”
“Actually we are going to the T20 Asia Cup after playing a 50-over series which I think is not the ideal preparation. We cannot say that our preparations for the T20 Asia Cup are perfect. We want to do well in areas which we can control. We have a few warm-up games in Dubai and we want to prepare ourselves to the best. You cannot take any of the teams lightly in this competition because in T20 cricket any team can defeat the other at any time.”
“We have done well in the T20 format in recent times and I have a lot of hope that our batters will be amongst the runs. In bowling there are quite a few new players like Chamudi Praboda (our U19 Captain). Unfortunately, Dewmi Vihanga (uncapped off-spinner) has sustained an injury and will be replaced by Nimasha Meepage (left-arm spinner).”
Athapaththu said since Jamie Siddons took over as head coach of the women’s team Athapaththu said the team has been making good progress.
“This is the third series we are playing with him as coach and I see a lot of positives from him which has enabled us to make good progress. He has made an impact with the team since his arrival. We have a lot of other areas to improve. I see a lot of positives coming from him.”
“Without any doubt I can say that Sri Lanka women’s cricket is in good space at the moment especially with so many youngsters turning up, especially Mithali (Ayodhya) who bowled superbly right throughout the T20 World Cup and won praise from many people but was unfortunately struck down by dengue and we had to leave her out of the Pakistan series. Chamodi Praboda performed well against Pakistan, likewise, Sanjana Kavindi who are our bowlers for the future. To have a team with a mixture of experience and youth makes us a strong combination. I believe we can perform well with this combination,” said Athapathtu. (ST)
Sri Lanka squad
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (Vice-Captain), Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Nimasha Meepage, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodya
Sri Lanka Asia Cup fixtures
29 Aug: v UAE
2 Sep: v Indonesia
6 Sep: v Bangladesh
10 Sep: 1st semi-final
11 Sep: 2nd semi-final
13 Sep: Final
