Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed its 15-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 on Thursday, August 13. Chamari Athapaththu has retained the captaincy despite the team’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.
Athapaththu had expressed her disappointment after Sri Lanka failed to reach the knockout stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Sri Lanka won three of their five matches under her leadership, including a victory over New Zealand.
Their defeat against the West Indies proved costly and ended their hopes of progressing further in the tournament. The 36-year-old all-rounder will now look to lead Sri Lanka to silverware when the Women’s Asia Cup begins on August 28. Harshitha Samarawickrama has been named Athapaththu’s deputy. The experienced top-order batter will play an important role as Sri Lanka look to make a strong start in the continental tournament.
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Sri Lanka have also handed T20I opportunities to several players. Dewmi Vihanga has received her first selection for the format, while Mithali Ayodhya and Chethana Vimukthi have also been included in the squad. Ayodhya, who is 19, featured in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. She picked up four wickets from five matches and finished with an economy rate of 6.47.
Vimukthi was part of Sri Lanka’s squad for the Women’s T20 WC Warm-up 2026. She did not make the final squad for the main tournament but has now earned another opportunity in the Asia Cup. Sanjana Kavindi has also been included after an impressive start to her senior international career. The 17-year-old scored 66 runs across two innings during Sri Lanka’s recent T20I series against Pakistan.
Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva and Hasini Perera are among the other notable players selected. Kaushini Nuthyangana is the only wicket-keeper named in the 15-member squad.
Sri Lanka Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Squad
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-capt), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya
Sri Lanka’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Campaign
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 will be played in the T20 format with eight teams split into two groups. Sri Lanka are in Group B alongside Indonesia, Bangladesh and the UAE. Group A features India, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against the UAE in Dubai on August 29. They will then take on Indonesia on September 2 before facing Bangladesh on September 6. The tournament will have 15 matches in total, with the semi-finals and final scheduled for September 10, 11 and 13. All matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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