Sri Lanka have selected a 14-member squad for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, with Harshitha Samarawickrama appointed captain and Kaveesha Dilhari named vice-captain. The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee announced the team through a media release on November 4, 2026. The tournament will take place in the United Arab Emirates from November 12 to 25. The players are scheduled to leave for the UAE on November 10, ahead of the start of the competition. Sri Lanka will begin their Group A campaign against Ireland on November 12. The squad features experienced international players as well as young cricketers.
Harshitha will lead the team after becoming a regular member of Sri Lanka’s senior side. The left-handed top-order batter has scored multiple centuries in Women’s One-Day Internationals and has delivered important performances for her country. One of her memorable contributions came in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final against India. She scored an unbeaten 69 in that match as Sri Lanka went on to win the title. Her experience in the senior team will be valuable as she takes responsibility for leading the squad at the tournament.
Kaveesha Dilhari has been given the role of vice-captain. The right-handed all-rounder is known for her attacking batting and her ability to contribute with the ball. She started her career as a medium-pace bowler before making an early switch to off-spin. Since then, spin bowling has become an important part of her game. She is valued for picking up wickets and bowling during the death overs. Her ability to contribute in both departments gives Sri Lanka another all-round option in the squad.
Sri Lanka squad for ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026:
Sanjana Kavindi, Imesha Dulani, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (C), Kaveesha Dilhari (VC), Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sathya Sandeepani, Rashmika Sewwandi, Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Malki Madara, Chethana Vimukthi
Among the young players selected is 21-year-old Vishmi Gunarathne, a right-handed opening batter. She made a strong impression in Sri Lankan under-19 school cricket by scoring 417 runs from 128 balls, recording a quadruple century. She has also registered multiple centuries in Women’s One-Day Internationals. Imesha Dulani is another batter included in the team. She first came into the spotlight through domestic cricket with Kandy District and has represented Sri Lanka in both short formats. She became only the second Sri Lankan woman, after Chamari Athapaththu, to score a century in Women’s T20 Internationals.
The squad also has experienced batters Hasini Perera and Nilakshika Silva. Sugandika Kumari, Sathya Sandeepani and Chethana Vimukthi provide all-round and spin-bowling options. Kaushini Nuthyangana has been selected as a wicketkeeper-batter. The group of emerging players includes Sanjana Kavindi, Rashmika Sewwandi, Chamudi Praboda and Malki Madara. Their selection adds younger names to a team that also has senior international experience. The 14-member group offers options across batting, wicketkeeping and bowling.
Sri Lanka will travel to the UAE on November 10 before facing Ireland in their opening Group A match on November 12. The tournament will continue until November 25. Harshitha will captain the side, with Dilhari supporting her as vice-captain. The selected team brings together experienced batters, all-rounders, spin options, a wicketkeeper-batter and emerging players. With the squad now confirmed, Sri Lanka will prepare for the competition and their first match against Ireland.
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