Throughout history, sports have been seen as a male-dominated area, and it reflects the ideas of societal attitudes that hinders women from being equally supported, recognized or receiving equal media coverage. Despite issues such as gender pay gap, to inequal opportunities and facilities, the Sri Lankan Women’s cricket team have truly embodied the word ‘perseverance’ and fought hard for their victory in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup.
The Women’s cricket team has been extremely successful for the past 12-18 months and achieved significant milestones. These include their series of T20 victories vs Bangladesh (2-1, 2023), England (2-1, 2023) and South Africa (2-1, 2024). The latter two were the first T20 bilateral series victories seen too. The highest run chases for Sri Lanka women in the T20s was also recorded in 2024 (167/2 vs India and 156/6 vs South Africa), and our women’s team also won their first ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers, their path to the T20 World Cup.
Consequently, a record run chase in the ODI format also took place this year vs South Africa; a score seemingly impossible to chase on paper (305/4). This team has had a 9-match winning streak in Women’s T20s 2024, and 8 consecutive wins while chasing too. The growing dominance of Sri Lanka women’s team is also proven through the highest success ratio of a country they have recorded; 23 wins out of 33 matches they played since 2023
>>Photos – Sri Lanka vs India – Final – Women’s Asia Cup 2024<<
Each victory obtained through each opponent they face, contributes to the larger picture of Sri Lanka, shedding light upon the glaring disparities faced by women in this country. There are now calls for the women’s team to be paid equal salary, for the men earn much more than they ever have even through a single game. Many were surprised that the prize money for the Asia Cup was 25,000 USD, in comparison to the amount the Men’s Asia Cup awards for their victory (200,000 USD). They were also rewarded with a cash award of 500,000 USD for their victory by Sri Lanka Cricket, another large step towards bridging this divide.
A stark reason for this team’s success is due to extremely good leadership. Over the many years, Chamari Athapaththu has not only proved her worth through her performances, but through the consistency she has shown as a captain and a player too.
She continues to break the boundaries of women’s cricket in this country and is recognized as a world-class player at a time when none of the current Sri Lankan male cricketers can be considered at this level.
Athpaththu has risen to the 1st spot in ICC ODI Rankings for the second time in her career, with the highest ever rating of 773 on the ICC table. Being the first Sri Lankan woman in franchise cricket, her performances have been unparallel as she only gets better, breaking her own records and setting new records.
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Athapaththu became the first batter to score a hundred in the history of the Women’s T20 Asia Cups, a 119* off 69 balls against Malaysia (7 sixes and 14 fours), and also won the Player of the Tournament award. She holds the top 11 individual scores of Sri Lanka in the ODIs, 195* being her best. She was also awarded the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023, and is considered among the most Elite All-Rounders too. She is also currently seventh in the list of Women’s leading run-scorers in the T20 format.
However, even though Athapaththu’s list of achievements is highly recognized extensive, the other women on the team also do not depend solely on her, pulling their weight and giving it their best to take their team to the highest heights. It was a combined team effort of belief, skill and determination that allowed them to chase a big target they had never chased before at the Asia Cup Finals (165).
Instead of losing hope, the women only came out stronger and came out swinging from the first ball. Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Anushka Sanjeewani, Kaveesha Dilhari, Udeshika Prabodhani also made significant contributions to the victory of the team not only in the final match, but throughout the tournament.
The packed stadium and the hearty cheers of the people filling the stands in Dambulla with each growing victory was a testament to the strength of our Sri Lankan Women’s team. The women seemed to have to prove their worth to be recognized, but their contributions serve as a catalyst for a better and brighter future for women’s cricket.
Their journey is nothing short of inspirational to every Sri Lankan out there, regardless of gender. It also pulls at a thread of the tight social fabric woven into our country, breaking all stereotypes as the women’s team finally receives a fraction of the support the men’s team has been receiving for decades, as people finally see the potential of just how far the former can go, unlike the latter.
Cricket is one of the most-loved sports in Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Women’s team gives the people hope and pride, especially during a time when we need it the most. Athapaththu has also stated that her next goal is to win the Women’s T20 World Cup, and at the position this team is in, this feat is well within their reach. By continuing to support this team, we will enable them to keep thriving and assist them as they continue to bring pride to our motherland.
