Chamari Athapaththu has surged up the latest ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings following an impressive all-round display in Sri Lanka’s 3-0 series sweep over Bangladesh, offering a timely boost ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The Sri Lanka captain was the standout performer across the three-match series, compiling 115 runs and claiming four wickets to secure the Player of the Series award. Her contributions once again underlined her importance as both leader and match-winner in multiple facets of the game.
Rise in All-Rounder and Bowling Rankings
The latest rankings update reflects her impact. Athapaththu has climbed two spots to third in the ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder rankings, now trailing only Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews. She has also made progress with the ball, rising three places to 41st in the bowling rankings.
In doing so, she has moved ahead of established all-rounders such as Deepti Sharma and Ashleigh Gardner, marking a significant achievement in a competitive field.
Match-Winning Contributions in Sylhet
Athapaththu’s performances were both consistent and decisive throughout the series. In the rain-affected third T20I in Sylhet, she once again led from the front, scoring 41 to guide Sri Lanka to 87 for 6 in nine overs.
She then delivered with the ball, returning figures of 2 for 15 to help defend the modest total, as Sri Lanka edged Bangladesh by three runs. The performance encapsulated her value, contributing in crucial moments with both bat and ball.
Team Gains Across Rankings
Sri Lanka’s strong showing was reflected beyond their captain. Harshitha Samarawickrama made gains in the batting rankings after steady performances, while Imesha Dulani registered one of the most notable rises.
Among the bowlers, Kavisha Dilhari and Malki Madara also improved their positions, highlighting the team’s overall progress.
For Bangladesh, despite the series defeat, there were encouraging signs. Sharmin Akhter, Dilara Akter and Shorna Akter all moved up in the batting rankings, while Sultana Khatun made notable progress among bowlers.
Timely Boost Ahead of World Cup
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup set to begin on June 12, Sri Lanka will take confidence from both the series result and Athapaththu’s form. As one of the most experienced figures in the squad, she remains central to their ambitions.
Her recent displays suggest she is hitting peak form at the right moment. If she maintains this level, Sri Lanka will look to her not only for leadership, but also for decisive contributions in key matches.
