Sri Lanka has announced its full squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Pakistan at home. Chamari Athapaththu has been named as the captain of the bilateral series, which will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29 cycle.
Through the series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka will mark their comeback after their promising campaign in the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. Chamari Athapaththu was the team’s star performer at the World Cup; Thus, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has allowed him to continue in the leadership role.
Chamari Athapaththu appointed captain for ODI series vs Pakistan
The Lankan women’s cricket team was promising in the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where they finished third in Group B and missed the semi-finals by a narrow margin. West Indies reached the semi-finals on the basis of run rate. England and West Indies were the two teams that qualified for the semi-finals of the competition.
Chamari Athapaththu was in great form in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 164 runs in 5 matches while maintaining an impressive batting average of 43.00.
Against the Ireland women’s cricket team, the experienced left-handed batsman played a blistering inning of 106 runs off just 61 balls, which was a real test of her batting skills. The century against Ireland is the first century in a run chase in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: An important contest for the Women’s Championship 2025-29
The upcoming matches against Pakistan women’s team are going to be very important as the island nation is in the race for the title in the Women’s Championship 2025-29. Before the series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka is in third place with eight points from six matches.
The SL vs PAK ODI series is scheduled to begin on July 23, with the second and third matches taking place on July 25 and July 28 respectively. All three matches will be held in Hambantota.
Complete Schedule:
1st ODI: 23 July, Hambantota
2nd ODI: 25 July, Hambantota
3rd ODI: 28 July, Hambantota
Current status in the Women’s Championship 2025-29
In the championship standings, New Zealand Women are currently in 1st place with 13 points from 9 matches (6 wins, 2 losses, 1 no result). In second place is Pakistan women’s cricket team, which has scored 8 points from 4 wins in 6 matches. The India women’s national cricket team is yet to play its first match in the competition.
Interestingly, these three teams Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies are currently tied with 8 points each. Due to difference in net run rate, Pakistan is ahead of West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Among the teams, Australia women’s cricket team looks quite promising as they are undefeated after playing 3 games. They have won all three matches convincingly. As the tournament gradually progresses, it will become more intense. There may be a change in the position of the marks table in the near future.
Team: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaveesha Dilhari, Neelakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeevani, Chetna Vimukthi, Inoka Ranaweera, Nimasha Meepage, Imisha Dulani, Devmi Vihanga, Rashmika Sewandi, Kavya Kavindi.
