Sri Lanka recall 'Lady Malinga' for Women's Asia Cup title defence

Sri Lanka have recalled 19-year-old Mithali Ayodhya for their Women's T20 Asia Cup title defence after her impressive T20 World Cup campaign. The defending champions have also handed legspinner Dewmi Vihanga a maiden T20I call-up as they begin their campaign against the UAE on August 29.Sri Lanka recall Mithali Ayodhya for Women’s Asia Cup title defence Mithali Ayodhya, Sri Lanka’s young quick whose distinctive action has drawn comparisons with the legendary Lasith Malinga, has been recalled for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup as the defending champions begin their title defence in Dubai.Ayodhya, a right-arm seamer, has earned the ‘Lady Malinga’ tag because of her low, slingy action, which immediately evokes memories of the former Sri Lanka great. The 19-year-old was part of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year and made an impact with four wickets, finishing as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.Her recall comes after she was left out of Sri Lanka’s home T20I series against Pakistan last month. Now, with the Asia Cup approaching, the selectors have brought her back as they look to add another pace option to the attack.A FRESH FACE JOINS THE TITLE DEFENCEAyodhya is one of three changes to the squad that faced Pakistan, alongside seamer Chethana Vimukthi and legspin allrounder Dewmi Vihanga. Vihanga earns her maiden T20I call-up after an encouraging domestic season in which she claimed eight wickets in the Women’s National Super League. She has already represented Sri Lanka in 12 ODIs. Vimukthi returns after featuring in the ODI squad against Pakistan, while Malki Madara, Rashmika Sewwandi and left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage make way.Captain Chamari Athapaththu will continue to lead the side, with Harshitha Samarawickrama as her deputy. Teenage batter Sanjana Kavindi has also retained her place after making an impressive start to her T20I career against Pakistan, scoring 66 runs at a strike rate of 157.14. Imesha Dulani remains another key option after becoming only the second Sri Lankan woman to score a T20I century. Sri Lanka are in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. They begin their title defence against the UAE on August 29.They arrive as champions after beating India in the 2024 final in Dambulla. For Athapaththu’s side, Ayodhya’s return offers another weapon and perhaps a little reminder of the Malinga magic that has long been woven into Sri Lankan fast bowling.Sri Lanka squad for the Women's T20 Asia CupChamari Athapaththu (capt), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-capt), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Aug 13, 2026 20:00 IST