Chamari Athapaththu to lead Asian champions Sri Lanka for the Women’s T20 World Cup

As expected, Sri Lanka’s inspirational leader Chamari Athapaththu is at the helm of the unit. The squad is largely similar to the one that helped Sri Lanka to their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title win in July this year, with Inoka Ranaweera’s inclusion.

Ranaweera last featured for Sri Lanka in T20Is in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024 and the left-arm spinner will be suited to the wickets in the UAE as she brings over 12 years of experience to the lineup.

Sri Lanka have had a prolific run over the last 18 months, securing series triumphs over England and South Africa for the first time ever in any format, apart from their historic Asia Cup win. They also had an unbeaten run in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024.

Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana. Travelling reserve: Kaushini Nuthyangana

While Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s highest run-getter in the format, will be expected to deliver the goods, recent months have shown that others in the side are more than capable of rendering match-winning performances.

Kavisha Dilhari is one such player, she picked nine wickets at an average of 12.33 in the Asia Cup, making her the second-highest wicket-taker at the event. Among the batters, Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Madhavi are a great support to Athapaththu in the top-order; they smashed tons in the recently concluded tour of Ireland.

Sri Lanka are in Group A of the competition along with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan and begin their campaign on 3 October, against Pakistan.