Sri Lanka replace injured Dewmi Vihanga with Nimasha Meepage for Women's T20 Asia Cup

Sri Lanka Women have been forced into a squad change ahead of the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, with Dewmi Vihanga ruled out after sustaining a right knee injury during a practice game. Nimasha Meepage has been named as her replacement in the 15-member squad.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in the UAE from August 28 to September 13, 2026. Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia and UAE. Their opening group match is against UAE on August 29.

The defending champions head into the tournament on the back of their 2024 title triumph, when they defeated India in the final held in Dambulla. Chamari Athapaththu will captain the side, with Harshitha Samarawickrama serving as vice-captain. Kaushini Nuthyangana is the sole wicketkeeper in the revised 15-member squad.

Nimasha Meepage made her T20I debut in December 2025 and has since represented Sri Lanka 14 times across formats. In T20 internationals specifically, she has taken six wickets across nine innings, at a bowling average of 38.33 and an economy rate of 7.66.

Her inclusion adds bowling depth to a Sri Lanka side preparing to defend their Asia Cup title. Meepage's call-up is a direct consequence of Vihanga's unavailability, with the right knee injury sustained in the practice game ruling Vihanga out of the entire tournament. The exact date of the practice game and further details of the injury have not been officially confirmed.

Meepage's T20I numbers reflect a bowler still building her international experience, but her selection signals that the Sri Lanka management view her as ready to contribute at this level. She joins a squad that already features experienced names such as Vishmi Gunaratne, Sugandika Kumari and Sanjana Kavindi.

Sri Lanka's revised 15-member squad for the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 is as follows: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-capt), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya, Nimasha Meepage.