Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu added another remarkable milestone to her illustrious career by becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to claim 150 international wickets across all formats. The historic achievement came during the final of the 2026 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to secure their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title overall and fourth in the T20 format.
The landmark wicket arrived when Athapaththu dismissed India wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh for 17 from 13 balls during India’s innings. Although Sri Lanka were unable to stop India’s powerful batting display, the dismissal marked another significant chapter in the captain’s outstanding international career.
Historic Milestone for Sri Lanka Captain
Athapaththu finished the final with figures of 1 for 34 from her four overs, taking her tally to 150 international wickets.
India posted a formidable 183 for 5 after electing to bat first, thanks largely to a record 129-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma, who scored 68 from 39 deliveries, and Smriti Mandhana, who contributed 59 from 39 balls. The stand became the highest opening partnership in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.
Sri Lanka struggled during the chase and were bowled out for 111 on the final ball of the innings. Athapaththu once again led from the front, top-scoring with 36 off 32 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.
Outstanding T20I Bowling Career
Athapaththu made her Women’s T20I debut against India at Taunton on June 15, 2009, and has since established herself as one of the world’s leading all-rounders.
Across 170 T20I appearances, she has taken 89 wickets in 111 innings at an average of 23.28 and an economy rate of 6.64. Her record includes one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul.
The highlight of her bowling career came earlier in the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup, when she produced extraordinary figures of 7 for 5 against Indonesia.
That spell became:
- The best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan woman in Women’s T20Is.
- The second-best bowling figures by a captain in Women’s T20I history.
- A performance that included a memorable hat-trick.
Sri Lanka won that match by 75 runs, while Athapaththu was named Player of the Match.
She concluded the tournament as Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker and finished joint second on the overall wicket-taking charts with 12 wickets at an outstanding average of 7.75 and an economy rate of 5.02.
Consistent Performer in One-Day Cricket
Athapaththu has also enjoyed an impressive ODI career since making her debut against the West Indies on April 18, 2010.
She has collected 61 wickets in 76 ODI innings across 129 matches, averaging 37.44 with an economy rate of 5.21. Her record includes one four-wicket haul, highlighting her value as a genuine all-rounder across formats.
Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her the central figure in Sri Lanka Women’s cricket for well over a decade.
Focus Turns to the Asian Games
Although Sri Lanka finished runners-up in the Asia Cup, Athapaththu’s personal milestone provided a memorable moment for the team.
Attention now shifts to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where Sri Lanka will once again be led by their inspirational captain. Their campaign begins with a quarter-final against Malaysia at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
While India celebrated another continental title, Athapaththu’s achievement stood out as one of the tournament’s defining individual moments. Becoming the first Sri Lankan woman to reach 150 international wickets further strengthens her legacy as one of the greatest cricketers her country has ever produced and an inspiration for the next generation of players.
