Sri Lanka have recalled young fast bowler Mithali Ayodhya for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup as the defending champions prepare to begin their title defence in Dubai.
The 19-year-old right-arm seamer has earned the nickname ‘Lady Malinga’ because of her distinctive low, slingy bowling action, which has drawn comparisons with Sri Lankan pace legend Lasith Malinga. Ayodhya was part of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year and impressed with four wickets, finishing as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker.
She was omitted from Sri Lanka’s home T20I series against Pakistan last month but has now returned to the squad as the selectors look to strengthen their pace attack ahead of the Asia Cup.
Ayodhya is one of three changes to the squad that faced Pakistan. Seamer Chethana Vimukthi has also been recalled, while leg-spin allrounder Dewmi Vihanga has received her maiden T20I call-up following an impressive domestic season. Vihanga took eight wickets in the Women’s National Super League and has already played 12 ODIs for Sri Lanka.
Malki Madara, Rashmika Sewwandi and left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage have been left out.
Chamari Athapaththu will continue to captain the side, with Harshitha Samarawickrama serving as vice-captain. Teenage batter Sanjana Kavindi has retained her place after an impressive start to her T20I career against Pakistan, scoring 66 runs at a strike rate of 157.14.
Imesha Dulani is another key player in the squad after becoming only the second Sri Lankan woman to score a T20I century.
Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. They will open their title defence against the UAE on August 29.
Athapaththu’s team enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating India in the 2024 final in Dambulla. With Ayodhya back in the squad, Sri Lanka will hope her unusual action can provide another pace threat as they seek to retain the continental crown.
Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-capt), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya.
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