Sri Lanka Women launched their 2026 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup title defence in emphatic fashion, defeating the United Arab Emirates by nine wickets in their Group B opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack kept the UAE batters under constant pressure. Medium-pacers Aluth Gedara Chethana Vimukthi and Mithali Ayodhya Bandara claimed three wickets each, restricting the hosts to just 79 runs in 19.5 overs.
Vimukthi finished with impressive figures of 3 for 16, while Bandara claimed 3 for 14. UAE captain Esha Oza top-scored for her side with 18 runs from 24 deliveries, but the hosts struggled to build meaningful partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Sri Lanka made light work of the modest target, with captain Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge in spectacular fashion.
Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 48 off just 25 balls, striking seven boundaries and two sixes. She was well supported by opener Imesha Dulani, who scored a brisk 25 as the pair put together a 57-run opening partnership in less than six overs.
Dulani was eventually run out, but Athapaththu remained unbeaten to guide Sri Lanka to victory in just 7.5 overs.
