by Hishan Welmilla
Sri Lanka will begin their campaign at the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 with the weight of expectation firmly on their shoulders after Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed a 15-member squad for the continental tournament, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates from August 28 to September 13. The defending champions will be led once again by experienced all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu, with Harshitha Samarawickrama continuing as vice-captain.
Sri Lanka created history in the previous edition by winning their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title in 2024, defeating India by eight wickets in the final in Dambulla. Athapaththu played a central role in that triumph and was named Player of the Tournament. Two years later, the challenge is no longer simply to win the trophy but to prove that Sri Lanka’s 2024 success was the beginning of a sustained period of dominance in Asian women’s cricket.
The squad selected for the UAE combines experienced campaigners with several emerging players. Alongside Athapaththu and Harshitha are Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunarathne, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera and wicketkeeper Kaushini Nuthyangana. The bowling group includes Sugandika Dassanayaka, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Dewmi Vihanga and Mithali Ayodya.
One of the biggest talking points will be the continued development of Imesha Dulani. She enters the tournament with significant confidence after scoring an unbeaten 101 against Pakistan on July 31, becoming only the second Sri Lankan woman to score a T20I century after Athapaththu. Her ability to provide an explosive start could be crucial in the UAE, where adapting quickly to conditions will be one of Sri Lanka’s biggest challenges.
Young batter Sanjana Kavindi is another player to watch. The 17-year-old made her T20I debut during the recent series against Pakistan and scored 66 runs across two innings. Her inclusion indicates that Sri Lanka are increasingly willing to give young talent responsibility on the international stage rather than relying exclusively on their established stars.
The selection also contains some interesting changes from the squad used during the recent Pakistan series. Dewmi Vihanga, Mithali Ayodhya and Chethana Vimukthi have been brought into the Asia Cup squad, while Malki Madara, Rashmika Sewwandi and Nimasha Meepage miss out. Vihanga, a leg-spin all-rounder, is in line for her maiden T20I appearance, while Ayodhya returns after missing the Pakistan series.
Sri Lanka’s recent T20 form provides encouragement. The side secured a 2-1 T20I series victory over Pakistan earlier this month, demonstrating that the batting unit has the ability to chase competitive totals while the bowling attack possesses enough variety to challenge quality opposition. The Asia Cup, however, will provide a considerably different test, with India, Bangladesh and other Asian sides likely to pose much tougher challenges.
Sri Lanka have been drawn in Group B and will begin their title defence against hosts United Arab Emirates on August 29. They will then meet Indonesia on September 2 before completing their group-stage campaign against Bangladesh on September 6. The group-stage matches will provide Sri Lanka with an opportunity to build momentum before the knockout phase.
Athapaththu remains the key to Sri Lanka’s ambitions. Her ability to change a match with both bat and ball, combined with her experience of high-pressure international cricket, makes her the natural leader. But Sri Lanka cannot afford to become overly dependent on their captain. Harshitha, Vishmi, Dulani, Dilhari and Nilakshika will all have important roles to play if the champions are to defend their crown.
The UAE conditions could also make the role of the spinners particularly important. Sri Lanka’s selection of a mixture of spin options and seamers suggests that the selectors are preparing for pitches where variations in pace and spin could prove decisive. The team will need to strike the right balance between attack and control, particularly against stronger batting line-ups.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka enter the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup as defending champions, but the tournament presents a fresh examination of their credentials. With Athapaththu leading an increasingly balanced squad, Sri Lanka have the experience, emerging talent and recent form to mount another serious title challenge.
The mission is clear: defend the crown, strengthen Sri Lanka’s position among Asia’s best, and turn the success of 2024 into a new era of women’s cricket dominance.
Sri Lanka full squad for Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (Vice Captain), Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (Wicketkeeper), Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi and Mithali Ayodya.
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