Prior to the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, the Sri Lankan women’s team had to make a squad change since Dewmi Vihanga was sidelined due to a right knee injury sustained during a practice match. Her replacement in the 15-person squad is Nimasha Meepage.
The competition is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from August 28 to September 13, 2026. Group B now includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. On August 29, they will play their first group encounter against the United Arab Emirates.
After getting hurt during a practice match, Vihanga did not go to the United Arab Emirates with the Sri Lankan team. Meepage has represented Sri Lanka in 14 games across formats since making her T20I debut in December 2025. According to Cricinfo, she has taken six wickets in nine Twenty20 International innings with an economy rate of 7.66 and a bowling average of 38.33.
The reigning champions enter the competition fresh from their victory over India in the Dambulla final in 2024. The team will be captained by Chamari Athapaththu and vice-captained by Harshitha Samarawickrama. The only wicketkeeper on the updated 15-man roster is Kaushini Nuthyangana. With Chamari Athapaththu heading the reigning champions and Harshitha Samarawickrama as vice-captain, the remainder of the Sri Lankan team is unaltered. The only wicketkeeper on the 15-man squad is Kaushini Nuthyangana.
A Group A match between Thailand and Hong Kong will kick off the competition on August 28. On September 5, India and Pakistan will play a crucial group-stage match. Since making her T20I debut in December 2025, Nimasha Meepage has played for Sri Lanka 14 times in all forms. She has taken six wickets at an economy rate of 7.66 and a bowling average of 38.33 across nine innings in T20 internationals.
Her addition gives a Sri Lankan team getting ready to defend their Asia Cup title more bowling depth. Due to Vihanga’s right knee injury from the practice game, which prevented him from participating in the competition, Meepage was called up. Both the precise date of the practice game and any information regarding the injury are still pending official confirmation.
