Franchise cricket isn't about the money - Chamari
Even as many women’s T20 leagues are successfully running worldwide, Chamari added talks are on for a women’s T20 league in Sri Lanka next year.
“I always talk about these things in Sri Lanka. I talked to Sri Lanka board president and they are keen to do a franchise league in Sri Lanka as well.
So we plan to play T10 league in December, which is in our calendar. Next year we are trying to organise T20 league in Sri Lanka as well.”“My teammates need some exposure of playing franchise league and learn from the overseas players as well.
"I got a few offers from CPL, but I chose the Barbados Royals, one because of Kumar Sangakkara, because I love him," Athapaththu told ESPNcricinfo in an interaction organised by FanCode. "He is one of the greatest cricketers ever produced by Sri Lanka. I got that opportunity because of him.
"I have played in every league around the world, but I love this competition. It is a different atmosphere. The players, support staff and everything is different compared to other countries. The players have a different vibe in the dressing room. It is a good opportunity."
Chamari Athapaththu has been in spectacular white-ball form this year. She is the leading run-scorer in T20Is in 2024 with 675 runs in 17 games at an average of 48.21 and a strike rate of 134.19. In ODIs, she is second on the run chart and that includes an epic 195 not out against South Africa, the third-highest individual score in a women's ODI.
