Sri Lanka suffer injury blow ahead of Women's Asia Cup title defence

Sri Lanka's young allrounder Dewmi Vihanga has been ruled out of the upcoming Women's Asia Cup and has also lost her opportunity to make her T20I debut. Sri Lanka have named slow left-arm orthodox bowler Nimasha Meepage as Vihanga's replacement.

Vihanga has not travelled with the side to the UAE for the marquee tournament after she hurt her right knee in a practice match. Meepage, who has come in as her replacement, has played five ODIs and nine T20Is, claiming six wickets each. She has an economy rate of 7.66 in the shortest format of the game.

Sri Lanka are the defending champions, having beaten India in the final of the previous edition in 2024 by eight wickets. They hold the record for the most runners-up finishes (5).

Chamari Athapaththu will lead the side with Harshitha Samarawickrama as her deputy. They have been grouped alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia and hosts UAE in Group B. The Athapaththu-led side will get their campaign underway on August 29 (Saturday).

Sri Lanka squad for the Women's T20 Asia Cup

Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-captain), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya, Nimasha Meepage.

Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 Groups

Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 schedule