Over the last few years, the Sri Lankan women’s team has been on a path of improvement and development that is gradually bridging the gap with the cricket elites. Their recent series wins against West Indies and Bangladesh have provided them with lots of confidence ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. This time, they will aim to go past the group stage, which they have never crossed before in the previous nine editions.
Strength
The core strength lies in their batting and spin bowling. Chamari Athapaththu is their marquee player and inspirational captain who has single-handedly carried them for the last decade. However, she is getting good support nowadays from youngsters like Harshitha Samarawickrama and the aggressive Kavisha Dilhari, which is great news for Sri Lanka. Dilhari is part of a strong spin attack that also has Sugandika Kumari and Shashini Gimhani, who can create problems for the opposition.
Weakness
However, their pace attack is very weak, and that can be a big hindrance for them. The opposition can easily score heavily against their medium pacers as none of them pose any significant threat. Their lower-middle order batting remains a significant area of concern. Moreover, the lack of good finishers could prove to be a major liability for the team.
Opportunity
A host of all-rounders in the team gives them some room for flexibility, and they can surprise the other teams with some tactical batting order changes. Their spinners are world-class, and during the later phase of the tournament, they can deliver their best performances with some help from the pitches.
Threat
A swinging condition or a wet pitch can create lots of issues for their batters, which their bowlers may fail to take advantage of. Similarly, a placid batting pitch can be bad news for their bowlers, as some of the top teams can take full advantage of their lack of pace and can post huge scores during the Powerplay.
Sri Lanka will expect to win against Ireland and Scotland, and it will be a big blow for them if they fail to achieve that. However, beating two of the rest three teams, England, New Zealand and West Indies looks difficult for them but in T20 cricket things can change very quickly if the momentum goes to the right direction for the teams and Sri Lanka will hope for the same.
Sri Lanka women: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi.
Preferred first XI: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Madushani, Shashini Gimhani
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