Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has on Thursday (August 13) announced its 15-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, with the tournament set to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from August 28 to September 13.
Star all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu will lead the Sri Lankan women’s national cricket team, while Harshitha Samarawickrama has been named vice-captain for their title defence. Sri Lanka will look to put up a strong show in the UAE to defend their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title.
Sri Lanka name strong squad as Chamari Athapaththu eyes back-to-back Women’s Asia Cup glory
Chamari Athapaththu led the Sri Lanka women from the front in the last edition and was adjudged Player of the Tournament as they lifted their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title in 2024. They had crushed India by eight wickets in the final in Dambulla. Amid this, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg breaks silence on Ashleigh Gardner-Georgia Voll controversy.
SLC have picked a strong and balanced squad for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, with plenty of firepower in both batting and bowling. The top order has Imesha Dulani, who recently scored a century, along with exciting 17-year-old Sanjana Kavindi and Vishmi Gunarathne.
The middle order features the big hitters like Nilakshika Silva and Hasini Perera, while Kaushini Nuthyangana will be the wicketkeeper. Sri Lanka has also picked a strong bowling attack. Young leg-spin all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga was handed her maiden T20I call-up.
In the pace department, Mithali Ayodya returns to the team, and she will be joined by Sugandika Dassanayaka, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi and Kawya Kavindi in the department.
Sri Lanka squad for Women’s Asia Cup 2026:
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (VC), Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (WK), Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi and Mithali Ayodya.
Dubai ready for Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 as eight teams fight for glory
Meanwhile, the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 will be played in the United Arab Emirates from August 28 to September 13. This will be the 10th edition of the Asia Cup and the sixth edition in the T20 format. The upcoming Asian event will feature a total of 15 matches, which will be played under lights at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Eight teams will take part in the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 and will be divided into two groups. Group A features India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, while Group B includes defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and debutants Indonesia.
Asia Cup will get underway on August 28 with Thailand facing Hong Kong in Dubai. The group stage will be very important, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals. Amid this, India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026: Full match scenarios.
The biggest clash of the event, India vs Pakistan, is scheduled for September 5 in Dubai, which is expected to attract huge attention from cricket fans. As the semi-finals are scheduled for September 10 and 11, while the final will be played on September 13 in Dubai.
Notably, Indonesia will be hoping to make a strong first impression in their historic Asia Cup debut.