Sri Lanka have been pressured to replace their squad for the Ladies’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 after Dewmi Vihanga was dominated out of the competitors with a proper knee damage. The event is about to start on August 28, and as defending champions, expectations can be excessive across the Sri Lankan camp. Vihanga’s absence comes as an early setback, however the staff administration has moved shortly by naming a proficient participant as her substitute within the 15-member squad.
Alternative introduced for Dewmi Vihanga
Vihanga suffered the damage throughout a apply sport and has subsequently been dominated out of all the event. Whereas additional particulars surrounding the damage haven’t been formally disclosed, the setback has pressured Sri Lanka to make a late adjustment to their squad forward of their title defence. Nimasha Meepage has been drafted into the squad because the substitute and can now have a chance to make an affect on a significant worldwide stage. Her inclusion maintains the stability of the Sri Lankan squad whereas including one other bowling choice to Chamari Athapaththu‘s aspect.
Sri Lanka will start their Asia Cup marketing campaign towards hosts UAE on August 29. They’ve been drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh and Indonesia, with the group stage offering an necessary check earlier than the knockout section. Athapaththu will proceed to guide the aspect, whereas Harshitha Samarawickrama has been named vice-captain. Kaushini Nuthyangana stays the staff’s sole wicketkeeping possibility within the revised squad.
Sri Lanka enter the event as defending champions after securing their maiden Ladies’s Asia Cup title in 2024. They defeated India within the closing in Dambulla, and the staff will now look to construct on that breakthrough success within the UAE.
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What does Nimasha Meepage deliver to the desk?
Meepage could not but have an enormous quantity of worldwide expertise, however her choice represents a chance for the younger bowler to make her presence felt. She made her T20I debut in December 2025 and has since featured for Sri Lanka 14 occasions throughout codecs. In T20 internationals, Meepage has taken six wickets throughout 9 innings. Her present bowling common stands at 38.33, whereas she has maintained an financial system price of seven.66. Though these figures depart room for enchancment, in addition they underline that she continues to be growing on the worldwide degree.
Her call-up provides Sri Lanka extra bowling depth as they put together for a demanding event. With skilled gamers akin to Vishmi Gunaratne, Sugandika Kumari and Sanjana Kavindi already a part of the squad, Meepage can have the chance to be taught whereas contributing at any time when required. For Sri Lanka, the rapid precedence can be making certain Vihanga’s absence doesn’t disrupt their preparations. With the event solely days away, Meepage might want to settle shortly into the squad and be able to carry out at any time when her captain calls upon her.
Sri Lanka squad for Ladies’s Asia Cup 2026 (Up to date): Chamari Athapaththu (c), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vc), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya, Nimasha Meepage
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This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
