Sri Lanka enter the Women’s Asia Cup as defending champions for the first time in their history. Leading the way for them is their skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who has been among the best batters in the world. With them winning their first title two years ago, there certainly will be a host of expectations from them this time around.
They made a resounding start to the tournament, with a comprehensive win over the UAE. The Crichub caught up with the Sri Lankan captain ahead of the team’s second game against Indonesia, where she spoke about her team’s chances in the tournament, what the Asia Cup means to smaller nations, the upcoming Asian Games and much more.
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The Crichub (TCH): I would like to ask you about this Asia Cup. You come here as defending champion and you got a very comprehensive win against the hosts, UAE. How do you see the rest of the tournament?
Chamari Athapaththu (CA): Actually, every game is very crucial for us as a team, as a unit. So, we need to execute our plans at the right time. That’s the most important thing. And every time, we try our best to play our positive cricket in the middle. So, the next game in Indonesia. So, we focus on the next game. We take one game at a time. And the Bangladesh game also. So, we try to play our best cricket in the next two games.
TCH: And as you are coming here to play the Asia Cup for the first time as defending champion. So, do you feel any pressure of being the champion?
CA: No, actually. Because we know this tournament is very crucial and every game is very important for us. So, we need to play our best cricket. That’s the most important thing. And we don’t want to take too much pressure on our shoulders. Just play our natural game freely. That’s the most important thing. As a captain, as a team, we try our best to play our positive cricket in the middle.
TCH: And next match, you have said that against Indonesia, who are playing for the Asia Cup for the first time. And alongside that, Thailand and Hong Kong as well. So, what do you say about this growing situation of Women’s cricket in Asia?
CA: As a senior player, as a captain, I know these opportunities are really good for associate nation players and the associate nations. So, especially like Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia. These teams are upcoming teams. So, these opportunities are really good for them. I hope they will play their best cricket in the Asia Cup and they will improve in the next Asia Cup as well.
TCH: And what’s about the conditions here in Dubai? Do you think the spinners will take a big role towards the business end of this tournament?
CA: As professional cricketers, we have to adapt to those conditions. So, we can’t blame the conditions and the weather. So, as a senior unit, as professional cricketers, we need to adapt those conditions. And yeah, every game is crucial. So, we know at the end of the tournament, definitely spinners have a great opportunity to play their own roles in these kinds of conditions.
But at the moment, I feel the fast bowlers have a huge opportunity as well. The fast bowlers and spinners have to adapt to the conditions according to the plans and play their best cricket. That’s the most important thing.
TCH: So, what is the goal, if I ask you, from the team goals, and as a batter, if I ask you. So, what is your goal from this tournament?
CA: Nothing personal. As a captain, I want to take my team to the semi-finals first. And then after the semi-finals, we will decide how we can play our final game.
TCH: And after a few days of completing this tournament, there are the Asian Games. So, do you think that it’s good preparation for the Asian Games?
CA: Yeah, this tournament is really important for us as cricketers and for the Asian Games as well. So, both tournaments are important. So, we are playing this tournament for the trophy and the Asian Games for a medal. So, both are very important. Yes, absolutely.
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