After a disappointing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in which they failed to win a single match, Sri Lanka began a new cycle looking to rebuild confidence and prove they could compete more consistently against the world’s leading sides. Over the next 18 months, Sri Lanka showed encouraging signs of growth, securing important overseas victories and developing a more balanced squad ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Their preparations began in New Zealand in March 2025, where Sri Lanka made an immediate statement by winning the opening T20I. Malki Madara starred with the ball, claiming 3/14 as New Zealand were restricted to 101, before Athapaththu guided the chase with a superb 68 from 48 deliveries. New Zealand bounced back to win the second match and level the series, while the final game was abandoned, leaving Sri Lanka with a respectable drawn series away from home.
It was a difficult series later in the year when Sri Lanka travelled to India. The series exposed several weaknesses, particularly with the bat. Sri Lanka struggled to post competitive totals, managing just 121/6, 128/9 and 112/7 in the opening three matches as India completed comfortable chases.
The fourth T20I finally produced a stronger batting display. Chasing 222, Sri Lanka fought hard to win, with Athapaththu leading the effort with 52 while Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani also made valuable contributions but still fell short. Sri Lanka followed that with 160/7 in pursuit of 176 in the final match as India completed a 5-0 sweep. Despite the disappointing result, Perera finished as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer of the series, while Kavisha Dilhari claimed five wickets and continued to establish herself as one of the side’s key all-rounders.
Sri Lanka responded impressively during their tour of the West Indies in early 2026. Although the opening match ended in a no result, the visitors produced one of their best bowling performances of the cycle, skittling West Indies for just 49 runs. Dilhari starred with 3/5, while Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ranaweera all chipped in with two wickets each. That performance set the tone for the rest of the series. In the second T20I, Athapaththu delivered a classic all-round display, taking 2/13 before scoring 39 from 26 balls to guide Sri Lanka to victory. The visitors sealed the series in the final match, chasing down their target with ease as Hasini Perera anchored the innings with an unbeaten 52 and Athapaththu added 32. Sri Lanka completed a convincing 2-0 series win, with Athapaththu named Player of the Series.
Momentum continued to build when Sri Lanka travelled to Bangladesh in April 2026. They swept the three-match series 3-0 and produced contributions throughout the lineup. Harshitha Samarawickrama was the standout performer in the opening match, blasting 61 from just 35 deliveries, while Imesha Dulani added 55 in a comfortable victory. Athapaththu also contributed with both bat and ball, finishing with two wickets. The second T20I saw another strong team performance. Athapaththu made 42, Samarawickrama added 49, and Dilhari produced an excellent spell of 2/15 to help secure the series. In the rain-shortened final match, Athapaththu once again led from the front, scoring 41 before returning figures of 2/15 with the ball as Sri Lanka completed the clean sweep with a narrow three-run win.
As they approach the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka appear to be in a far stronger position than they were at the start of the cycle. Athapaththu remains the team’s driving force, but important support has emerged around her. Samarawickrama, Perera and Dulani have all produced valuable runs, while Dilhari has developed into one of the squad’s most influential all-rounders. The bowling attack, led by Madara, Ranaweera and Dilhari, has also become increasingly reliable. After the disappointment of 2024, Sri Lanka will head into the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup with renewed confidence and hopes of making a much greater impact on the global stage.
Sri Lanka’s Squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya
Sri Lanka’s Schedule at ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026:
12th June 2026: vs England
16th June 2026: vs New Zealand
21st June 2026: vs West Indies
23rd June 2026: vs Ireland
25th June 2026: vs Scotland
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