Athapaththu aiming high with Sri Lanka at Women's World Cup

Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu is filled with hope as her team prepares for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which runs from Sept. 30. Being co-hosted in India and Sri Lanka, Athapaththu feels the team's understanding of the sub-continent will play a big part in their tournament.

The Islanders missed the last edition in New Zealand in 2022, but this time they are returning and intend to make a big impression. The team's best finish at the world event in 2013 (sub-continent) gives Athapaththu and her team reassurance after they finished fifth, which was a big milestone. That memory makes the team feel extra motivated.

Athapaththu confident of Sri Lanka’s chances at Women’s World Cup

“The sub-continent conditions are something we are used to, and I feel that will give us a secret advantage,” said Athapaththu to the ICC. “With the right mix of youth and experience, this is our chance to shine and take Sri Lankan women's cricket to the next level.” The Sri Lankan captain is quick to underline that her side won’t take any team lightly at the tournament. “Every team comes here to win, so we must respect every team and game with all intensity. We want to set the tone against India in Guwahati on September 30,” stated Athapaththu.

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Following their opener, Sri Lanka will play five of their remaining group matches in Colombo with home support. Athapaththu views this as an enormous opportunity: “Playing at home is special. We hope there are a lot of fans who get behind us and support us. Their support can give us a lift at a key moment.”

Upon reflection of where Sri Lanka is now compared to when it had those opportune wins in 2013 over the England and India, which at the time of entry was the proudest achievement in the World Cup, Athapaththu pointed out, “That was the proudest World Cup we had at that time. We have grown since then as a team, and now we really do believe that we can compete against any team in the world.”

Sri Lanka will draw upon the mixture of experienced players who have been on the team and the younger players who are new to this stage to produce another memorable chapter in Sri Lanka's cricket history, with Athapaththu at the forefront.

Sri Lanka squad: 

Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya.
Reserve: Inoshi Fernando