Sri Lanka’s Dewmi Vihanga Misses Asia Cup with Knee Injury, Nimasha Meepage Called Up

Sri Lanka allrounder Dewmi Vihanga has been ruled out of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup after suffering an injury to her right knee during a practice game. Vihanga did not travel with the Sri Lanka squad to the UAE and will have to wait for her T20I debut. Left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage has been named as her replacement. The rest of Sri Lanka’s squad remains unchanged. Meepage will now join the team for the tournament in UAE.

Sri Lanka’s Dewmi Vihanga Misses Asia Cup with Knee Injury, Nimasha Meepage Called Up
Sri Lanka’s Dewmi Vihanga Misses Asia Cup with Knee Injury, Nimasha Meepage Called Up; PC: Getty

Meepage made her T20I debut for Sri Lanka on December 26, 2025, against India Women at Thiruvananthapuram. She has played nine T20Is and taken six wickets in nine innings. Her best bowling figures are 1/16, while her bowling average is 38.33. Her economy rate is 7.66 and her bowling strike rate is 30.0. Her most recent T20I came against Pakistan Women at Dambulla on August 4, 2026.

Meepage has also scored one run in one T20I innings. Her highest score is 1*, while her batting strike rate is 50.00. She has taken two catches in T20Is. Her six wickets have come from 180 balls, with 230 runs conceded. Meepage will now be part of Sri Lanka’s squad for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup after Vihanga was ruled out because of her right knee injury.

The 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup is scheduled from August 28 to September 13, 2026. Group A includes India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong. Group B has Sri Lanka, the defending champions, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. All matches will be played under lights, starting at 6:30 PM local time, which is 8:00 PM IST. Sri Lanka are in Group B.

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Sri Lanka will enter the tournament as the defending champions, with Chamari Athapaththu leading the side and Harshitha Samarawickrama as vice-captain. Kaushini Nuthyangana is the sole wicketkeeper in the 15-member squad. Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup in 2024 after defeating India in the final in Dambulla. They will now look to defend their title in the UAE.

Sri Lanka will begin their Asia Cup campaign against UAE on August 29. The team will prepare for the tournament with Meepage included in place of Vihanga. Vihanga’s injury means she will have to wait for her T20I debut, while Meepage will continue her international career after making her T20I debut in December 2025. Sri Lanka will look to make a strong start to their title defence.

Sri Lanka squad for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup

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

Sri Lanka will now head into the Women’s T20 Asia Cup with Meepage replacing the injured Vihanga. Meepage has played nine T20Is since her debut against India on December 26, 2025, and has taken six wickets. Her latest T20I was against Pakistan on August 4, 2026. Sri Lanka will begin their title defence against UAE on August 29, with Meepage now part of the squad.

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