The ODI rivalry between Sri Lanka Women and Pakistan Women resumes with the opening match of the three-game series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on 23 July 2026. With both teams aiming to build momentum ahead of upcoming ICC events, the series promises to be an intriguing contest between two improving sides.
Sri Lanka will enjoy the advantage of familiar home conditions and enter the series with confidence after impressive ODI performances over the past year. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to draw on their experienced core to challenge the hosts. The previous ODI meetings between the two teams have often been closely fought, with Sri Lanka historically holding the upper hand in the head-to-head record, although Pakistan have enjoyed some success in recent years. The hosts will once again rely on their experienced campaigners and emerging talents, with Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Malki Madara expected to play pivotal roles in the opening encounter.
Chamari Athapaththu
There is no bigger name in Sri Lankan women’s cricket than Chamari Athapaththu, and once again she will be the player Pakistan will want to dismiss early. The left-handed opener has enjoyed an exceptional ODI career, featuring in 126 matches, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 34.61 and a strike rate of 75.45. Her record includes nine centuries and 20 half-centuries, with a highest score of 195 not out, underlining her ability to play marathon innings while maintaining an aggressive tempo. Athapaththu is equally valuable with the ball, having claimed 56 ODI wickets at an average of 39.00, with best figures of 4/42. Her all-round abilities often allow Sri Lanka to dominate matches in multiple phases, whether through explosive starts, crucial middle-order partnerships or timely breakthroughs.
Harshitha Samarawickrama
Alongside her, Harshitha Samarawickrama has developed into one of the most dependable middle-order batters in women’s ODI cricket. The elegant left-hander has represented Sri Lanka in 53 ODIs, accumulating 1,447 runs at an impressive average of 32.15. She has already registered eight half-centuries, with a highest score of 105, while maintaining a healthy strike rate close to 69. Harshitha’s greatest strength lies in her temperament. She is capable of rebuilding an innings after early wickets before accelerating in the closing overs, making her an ideal foil to Sri Lanka’s more aggressive batters. Her outstanding performances during Sri Lanka’s previous ODI series further reinforced her growing reputation as one of the team’s most consistent run-scorers. Against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack, her ability to rotate strike and construct long partnerships could prove decisive.
Malki Madara
With the ball, all eyes will be on rising fast bowler Malki Madara, who continues to establish herself as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest young prospects. Although relatively new to international cricket, Madara has already made an impressive impact in ODI cricket. In just 15 ODI appearances, she has picked up 14 wickets, including excellent best figures of 4/50, while maintaining a bowling average of 34.57. Her ability to generate movement with the new ball and consistently hit disciplined lengths has made her a valuable asset for Sri Lanka. Madara’s economy rate of 5.21 reflects her control, while her knack for breaking important partnerships has earned the confidence of the team management. Hambantota has often provided early assistance for seamers, and Sri Lanka will expect Madara to exploit those conditions against Pakistan’s top order.
As the first ODI approaches, Sri Lanka possess the ideal blend of experience, consistency and youthful energy. Chamari Athapaththu remains the proven match-winner capable of changing the course of a game single-handedly, Harshitha Samarawickrama provides stability through the middle overs with her composed batting, while Malki Madara offers the pace attack an exciting wicket-taking option. If these three players perform to their potential, Sri Lanka will have an excellent opportunity to take an early lead in the ODI series and continue their impressive rise in women’s international cricket.
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