Defending champions Sri Lanka have made an impressive start to the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and will now turn their attention to a crucial Group B encounter against Bangladesh on September 6 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chamari Athapaththu’s side have won both of their opening matches, putting themselves in a strong position to reach the semi finals as they continue their bid to successfully defend the title they won on home soil in 2024. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi finals, which are scheduled for September 10 and 11.
Sri Lanka began their campaign with a dominant nine-wicket victory over hosts United Arab Emirates on August 29. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Sri Lanka restricted UAE to just 79 runs in 19.5 overs.
Young fast bowler Chethana Vimukthi enjoyed a memorable T20I debut, taking 3 for 16, while Mithali Ayodhya also claimed three wickets for just 14 runs. Sugandika Kumari added two wickets as Sri Lanka’s bowlers controlled the contest from the beginning.
The chase was completed in spectacular fashion. Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 48 from only 25 deliveries, striking seven fours and two sixes as Sri Lanka raced to 80 for 1 in just 7.5 overs. Imesha Dulani supported her captain with 25 as the defending champions opened their campaign with a convincing statement.
Sri Lanka followed that performance with another emphatic victory against Indonesia on September 2, although this time they had to overcome some early difficulties with the bat.
After slipping to 62 for 6, Nilakshika Silva produced an important innings of 50 to help Sri Lanka recover to 124 for 7 from their 20 overs. What followed was one of the most memorable bowling performances in Sri Lankan women’s cricket history.
Athapaththu completely destroyed the Indonesian batting line-up, taking an extraordinary seven wickets for just five runs from 3.3 overs. She completed a hat trick as Indonesia were bowled out for only 49, handing Sri Lanka a 75 run victory and their second consecutive win of the tournament.
Bangladesh, however, are likely to provide Sri Lanka with their toughest Group B challenge so far.
Bangladesh opened their campaign with a convincing 71 run victory over Indonesia. They scored 129 for 8 before dismissing Indonesia for 58 in 17.3 overs, with Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter leading an impressive bowling performance.
That sets up an important contest between two unbeaten sides when Sri Lanka and Bangladesh meet on September 6.
For Sri Lanka, victory would further strengthen their position at the top end of Group B and place them firmly on course for the knockout stages. It would also provide another important test of a side that has so far demonstrated both explosive individual brilliance and impressive depth.
Athapaththu remains Sri Lanka’s biggest match winner, but the opening two matches have shown that the defending champions are not relying solely on their captain. Nilakshika Silva has already delivered under pressure, while Chethana Vimukthi and Mithali Ayodhya have provided encouraging performances with the ball.
Sri Lanka entered the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 carrying the pressure that comes with being defending champions. Two matches later, they have responded with two convincing victories.
The challenge now becomes significantly tougher.
With Bangladesh also pushing for a semi final place, the September 6 encounter could prove to be one of the defining matches of Group B and another victory would send a powerful message that Sri Lanka remain serious contenders to retain their Asian crown.
