After Asia Cup win, Athapaththu harbours hopes of playing till 2025 WC

Sri Lanka Women scripted history as they clinched their first Asia Cup title, beating India Women in the final in Dambulla on July 28 (Sunday). Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was in the thick of the action as she finished as the leading run-getter in the tournament, scoring 304 runs at 101.33, with a strike rate of 146.85 and also chipped in with three wickets.

Chasing a stiff 166 in the final, Athapaththu once again led from the front with the bat, smashing 61 off just 43 deliveries, including nine fours and two sixes, laying the platform for their victory. Following this epic victory, Athapaththu, 34, has hinted that she could continue playing for Sri Lanka until the 50-over World Cup in India next year.

"Yeah, hopefully till next 50-over World Cup," Athapaththu, the Player of the Tournament, said at the post-match presentation when asked on how long she intends to continue playing.

Athapaththu played a key role in ensuring Sri Lanka's progress to the Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October. She top-scored in the Qualifiers held in the UAE earlier this year, with 226 runs at 45.20.

The Asia Cup win could very well be just the start of greater things for Athapaththu and Sri Lanka. Speaking of the match, she said, "I'm feeling happy, I'm happy about my team's performance, especially the batting. Special thanks to Harshita [Samarawickrama] and [Kavisha] Dilhari for their performance."

"It's not a one-man show, the coaching staff has been great and finally we have won the Asia Cup. Special thanks to the Sri Lanka crowd, they supported our girls, and I'm really happy. This win is really good for our team. We have to inspire girls in the future, so it's special for Sri Lanka. It's my duty to lead from the front, that's my duty for the country and my team." 

Athapaththu will lead Sri Lanka in Ireland next, where they will play three T20 Internationals (T20I) and as many One-Day Internationals (ODI), starting August 11. After that, they will turn their attention to the Women's T20 World Cup, which is set to get underway from October 3 onwards.

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