Sri Lanka’s skipper, Chamari Athapaththu, expressed immense joy after defeating India in the Women’s Asia Cup final, setting sights on further victories at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The island nation celebrated their first Women’s Asia Cup title on Sunday, with Athapaththu leading by example, scoring a crucial half-century to chase down India’s total of 165/6 with eight balls to spare.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, capping a remarkable 14-month period that included T20I series wins against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa and triumphs in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament. The focus now shifts to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh this October, with Athapaththu optimistic about her team’s prospects. This optimism about the team’s prospects in international cricket will excite and instill a sense of optimism in the audience.
“We sacrificed a lot for the last 10-15 years. Finally, we won this award, this trophy,” Athapaththu said after being named Player of the Tournament at the Women’s Asia Cup. Reflecting on the past year’s achievements, she noted, “We’ve played really good cricket the last 12 months. We beat England, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand. We won T20 World Cup qualifiers and have now won the Women’s Asia Cup.”
Athapaththu’s leadership has been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s recent success, but she acknowledges the growing support from her teammates. Players like Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, and Udeshika Prabodhani have significantly contributed to the Women’s Asia Cup. Samarawickrama’s half-century in the final and the consistent performances of Dilhari and Prabodhani, among the top 10 wicket-takers, underscore the team’s collective strength.
Looking ahead, Athapaththu is enthusiastic about Sri Lanka’s future. The 34-year-old captain, who had hinted at retirement, now aims to continue playing for another year, targeting next year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. “Hopefully, I’ll still play until the next 50-over World Cup,” she added, committed to leading her team through at least two more ICC tournaments. Her commitment reassures the audience and instills hope for Sri Lanka’s future in international cricket.
The victory in the Women’s Asia Cup highlights Sri Lanka’s resilience and sets a promising stage for their upcoming challenges on the world stage.
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