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Chamari Stays Grounded as Sri Lanka Chase Crucial Points in Bangladesh

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Sri Lanka Women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu is blocking out the noise around her future and locking into the present as her team prepares for a high-stakes tour of Bangladesh, where World Cup qualification points and momentum are firmly on the line.

Even as conversations about how long she might continue in international cricket gather pace, Chamari is keeping her approach measured. A recent discussion with the new head coach included a request for her to extend her career, but the skipper is not ready to look that far ahead.

“He spoke to me about continuing for another one or two years, but I prefer to take it step by step,” she said before the team’s departure. “My focus is on staying fit and performing. I don’t want to think too much about the future when there’s so much to do right now.”

What lies directly ahead is a six-match series three ODIs in Rajshahi followed by three T20Is in Sylhet with the 50-over games carrying added weight. Sri Lanka are firmly in the race for automatic qualification to the next ICC Women’s World Cup, and the points available in Bangladesh could prove decisive.

“These matches are very important for us,” Chamari said. “If we can secure those ODI points, it gives us a direct path to the World Cup. The team is in a good space mentally, and we’re confident about what we can achieve.”

That confidence will be tested early, not just by the conditions but also by changes in the lineup. Young opener Vishmi Gunaratne has been ruled out through injury, forcing a reshuffle at the top of the order. Chamari admitted the absence is significant but believes it opens the door for another player to step in.

“Vishmi has been a key player for us, so it’s definitely a loss,” she said. “But Hasini has earned this chance. She’s been performing consistently in domestic matches and other tournaments, so now it’s about taking that next step.”

There is also a personal fitness concern hovering over the captain herself. Chamari is recovering from a hand injury that required nine stitches, leaving her availability for the opening matches uncertain.

“I’m still working on my recovery, and we’ll have to assess things day by day,” she said. “Hopefully I can be ready, but we won’t rush it.”

Despite these setbacks, the mood within the squad remains optimistic, helped in part by a fresh approach from the new coaching staff. Since taking over after the West Indies series, the head coach has placed a clear emphasis on sharpening Sri Lanka’s power-hitting ability an area Chamari admits needed attention.

“With big tournaments coming up, we identified power hitting and overall batting strength as areas to improve,” she explained. “We’ve been working hard on that, and also on raising our fielding standards.”

Beyond immediate results, Chamari sees encouraging signs in the wider development of the women’s game back home. The rise of younger players, particularly at Under-19 level, has added depth and energy to the system.

“It’s great to see so many young girls coming into the game and performing well,” she said. “Women’s cricket in Sri Lanka is growing, and a lot of people deserve credit for that from the board to the selectors and former players.”

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Dulani’s sparkling century powers Sri Lanka to thrilling victory

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Imesha Dulani stole the spotlight with a sensational unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women chased down a formidable target of 177 to register a convincing six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the first T20I worked off at Dambulla international Stadium.

Pakistan looked set for victory after posting a competitive 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. Captain Muneeba Ali gave the innings early momentum with a fluent 42 off 24 balls, while Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings superbly with a brilliant 63 from 41 deliveries, striking 10 fours and a six. Eman Naseer added a valuable 21, while Ayesha Zafar and Saira Jabeen played aggressive cameos in the closing overs to push Pakistan to an above-par total.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Kavisha Dilhari leading the way with two dismissals. Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari and Kawya Kavindi chipped in with one wicket apiece, while disciplined fielding produced two crucial run-outs.

The chase belonged entirely to Dulani, who delivered the innings of the match. Displaying confidence, composure and a wide range of attacking strokes, she remained unbeaten on 101 from just 64 balls, smashing 17 boundaries and a six. Her innings combined elegance with controlled aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu provided the ideal platform with a sparkling 39 off 22 balls, adding 78 for the opening wicket before Nashra Sandhu broke the partnership. Although Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs, Dulani remained firmly in control, rotating the strike effectively before accelerating when it mattered most.

Kavisha Dilhari contributed 11 valuable runs, while Nilakshika Silva remained unbeaten on nine as Sri Lanka reached 177 for 4 in 19 overs, sealing victory with six balls to spare.

Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu finished with two wickets, but she could do little to halt Dulani’s memorable knock.

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Feroza, Sidra guide Pakistan Women to comfortable win

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Pakistan Women produced a composed batting performance led by Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin to register a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women in the opening ODI of their tour after successfully chasing 211 with seven overs to spare.

After opting to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to build substantial partnerships despite several batters making useful contributions. Opener Vishmi Gunaratne gave the hosts a positive start with 28 off 38 deliveries, striking four boundaries before becoming the first of three victims for left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu looked set for a bigger score, compiling an elegant 46 from 67 balls with six fours. She added 53 runs with Hasini Perera for the second wicket, but Nashra’s timely breakthrough halted Sri Lanka’s momentum.

Perera contributed a patient 35 while Kavisha Dilhari added another valuable 35 in the middle order. Nilakshika Silva remained unbeaten on 46 from 50 deliveries, ensuring Sri Lanka batted out their full quota of 50 overs to post 210 for nine.

Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack shared the workload effectively. Nashra Sandhu finished with impressive figures of 3 for 42, while Tasmia Rubab claimed 2 for 34. Umm-e-Hani, Syeda Aroob Shah and captain Fatima Sana chipped in with a wicket apiece to keep the scoring under control.

In reply, Pakistan laid the foundation through Gull Feroza, who produced a fluent 78 off 77 balls, laced with 11 boundaries. She dominated the opening stand before being trapped leg before wicket by Kavisha Dilhari after steering her side into a commanding position.

Experienced batter Sidra Amin anchored the chase with a measured 57 from 94 deliveries, rotating the strike effectively while building partnerships that kept Pakistan comfortably ahead of the required rate. Ayesha Zafar then finished the job with an unbeaten 27, while Najiha Alvi contributed a useful 13.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers found occasional breakthroughs, with Dilhari returning 2 for 37, while Inoka Ranaweera, Chamari Athapaththu and Nimasha Meepage claimed one wicket each. However, the modest target never placed Pakistan under sustained pressure as they reached 211 for five in 43 overs to take an early lead in the series.

Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Women 210/9 (50 overs) – Chamari Athapaththu 46, Nilakshika Silva 46; Nashra Sandhu 3/42, Tasmia Rubab 2/34. Pakistan Women 211/5 (43 overs) – Gull Feroza 78, Sidra Amin 57, Ayesha Zafar 27; Kavisha Dilhari 2/37.

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Sooryavanshi fireworks see India ‘A’ thump Sri Lanka to clinch title

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A breathtaking assault from teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi powered India ‘A’ to a commanding 66-run victory over Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the final of the Tri-Series 2026, as the visitors lifted the title in emphatic fashion.

After being asked to bat, India ‘A’ piled up a daunting 377 for 9 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to Sooryavanshi’s explosive 94 off just 29 balls. The left-hander unleashed a stunning display of power-hitting, smashing 10 fours and eight sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 324.13.

Together with Priyansh Arya, who made a brisk 39, he put on 132 runs for the opening wicket in less than nine overs, leaving the Sri Lankan bowlers reeling.

Although Sooryavanshi fell agonisingly short of a century, India maintained the momentum through Ruturaj Gaikwad (40) and captain Tilak Varma, who anchored the middle overs with a well-compiled 67. Kumar Kushagra contributed 36, while Anukul Roy provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 39 from just 15 deliveries, including four sixes.

For Sri Lanka, Wanuja Sahan was the most economical bowler and claimed two wickets, while Ravindu Fernando and Kugathas Mathulan also picked up two scalps each.

Faced with a formidable target, Sri Lanka ‘A’ launched a spirited chase but were eventually bowled out for 311 in 47.1 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama led the resistance with an attractive 52 off 44 balls, while Wanuja Sahan produced a fighting 62. Captain Sahan Arachchige chipped in with 38 and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth added 39, but the required rate continued to climb.

India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, with Yash Thakur and Vipraj Nigam claiming three wickets apiece. Anukul Roy supported well with two wickets as Sri Lanka’s challenge faded in the closing stages.

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