Women's Asia Cup 2026: Nimasha Meepage replaces injured Dewmi Vihanga in Sri Lanka squad
Synopsis
Sri Lanka's title defence at the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 has taken an early hit — all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga, on the cusp of her senior debut, is out with a right knee injury. Left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage steps in as the defending champions prepare to open against hosts UAE on 29 August in Dubai.
Key Takeaways
Dewmi Vihanga has been ruled out of the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 with a right knee injury sustained in training.
Left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage has been named as her replacement in Sri Lanka's 15-member squad .
Chamari Athapaththu captains the side; Harshitha Samarawickrama is vice-captain.
Pacers Mithali Ayodhya and Chethana Vimukthi return to the squad after missing the Pakistan T20I series.
Sri Lanka open their title defence against hosts UAE on 29 August at the Dubai International Stadium .
The tournament runs from 28 August to 13 September 2026 — the first edition held in the UAE .
Sri Lanka have suffered a pre-tournament setback ahead of the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 as all-rounder Dewmi Vihanga has been ruled out after sustaining a right knee injury during a practice session. Left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage has been named as her replacement in the 15-member squad. Vihanga, who was yet to make her senior international debut, has not travelled with the team to the UAE.
Squad Update and Leadership
Seasoned batting all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu will captain the side, with batter Harshitha Samarawickrama named vice-captain. The squad also benefits from the return of pacers Mithali Ayodhya and Chethana Vimukthi, both of whom were absent from Sri Lanka's recent T20I series against Pakistan in Hambantota — a series the hosts won 2-1.
Group Stage Draw and Schedule
Defending champions Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, hosts UAE, and debutants Indonesia. They open their title defence against the UAE on 29 August, before facing Indonesia on 2 September and rounding off their group assignments with a marquee clash against Bangladesh on 6 September.
Tournament Format and Venue
The 10th edition of the Women's T20 Asia Cup runs from 28 August to 13 September 2026 — the first time the competition is being staged in the UAE. All matches will be played at the Dubai International Stadium in T20 format. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on 10 and 11 September, with the final scheduled for 13 September.
Defending Champions with a Point to Prove
Sri Lanka arrive as reigning champions after stunning seven-time winners India in the 2024 final at Dambulla, claiming their maiden Asia Cup title on home soil. Retaining the trophy on neutral ground in the UAE will be a different challenge, but the return of their pace attack adds depth to a squad already anchored by Athapaththu's experience.
Full Updated Squad
Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-captain), Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wicketkeeper), Nimasha Meepage, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, and Mithali Ayodhya. Sri Lanka's first match on 29 August will set the early tone for their title defence.
Point of View
Losing a player before her debut caps a recurring pattern of injury-hit build-ups. More telling is the selection of Meepage: bringing in a left-arm spinner over a like-for-like all-rounder signals that Sri Lanka are prioritising bowling variety over batting cover, a calculated risk given the UAE's spin-friendly surfaces. Whether that trade-off pays off in a knockout format will be the real test of their squad planning.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Dewmi Vihanga been ruled out of the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026?
Dewmi Vihanga has been ruled out due to a right knee injury sustained during a practice session ahead of the tournament. She had not yet made her senior international debut and has not travelled with the Sri Lanka squad to the UAE.
Who has replaced Dewmi Vihanga in Sri Lanka's squad?
Left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage has been named as Vihanga's replacement in Sri Lanka's 15-member Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 squad.
When and where is the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 being held?
The tournament runs from 28 August to 13 September 2026, with all matches played at the Dubai International Stadium in the UAE. It is the first edition of the competition to be staged in the UAE.
Who are Sri Lanka facing in the group stage?
Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, hosts UAE, and debutants Indonesia. They play UAE on 29 August, Indonesia on 2 September, and Bangladesh on 6 September.
How did Sri Lanka win the 2024 Women's Asia Cup?
Sri Lanka claimed their maiden Women's Asia Cup title in 2024 by defeating seven-time champions India in the final, played at Dambulla in front of a home crowd. They enter the 2026 edition as defending champions.
