Sri Lanka name strong squad for Asia Cup title defence

Sri Lanka have announced a 15-member squad for their upcoming Women’s Asia Cup title defence in Dubai, scheduled to start on August 28.

Chamari Athapaththu will continue to lead the side as captain, with Harshitha Samarawickrama named as her deputy.

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Right-arm quick Mithali Ayodhya returns to the squad. The pacer, who made her international debut in April, impressed at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, claiming four wickets to finish as Sri Lanka’s second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Leg-spin all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga has earned her maiden T20I call-up after already representing Sri Lanka in 12 ODIs.

Sri Lanka have also recalled Chethana Vimukthi, who returns to the squad to further bolster the bowling department.

Athapaththu and Samarawickrama will lead Sri Lanka’s batting unit, with further support coming from Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshika Silva.

The squad includes 17-year-old Sanjana Kavindi, who made her T20I debut during the recent series against Pakistan. Imesha Dulani is also part of the squad after becoming only the second Sri Lankan woman to score a T20I century, achieving the feat in the same series.

Sri Lanka are slotted in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup. The defending champions will begin their campaign against the UAE on August 29.

Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Mithali Ayodhya, Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kawya Kavindi, Sanjana Kavindi, Sugandika Kumari, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Hasini Perera, Chamudi Praboda, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Dewmi Vihanga and Chethana Vimukthi