Sharjah: Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team is set to commence their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with high expectations as they face Pakistan in the first match of Group A. Fresh off an historic Asia Cup victory in July, the team is eager to translate their regional success into global triumph.
According to International Cricket Council, Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, is optimistic about the team’s prospects, buoyed by their recent Asia Cup win which marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka women’s cricket. Athapaththu highlighted the team’s growth and resilience, pointing to their recent victories over top-tier teams as a sign of their readiness to contend on the world stage.
The Sri Lankan team, which has not previously reached the semifinals of the World Cup, faces a challenging group stage with formidable opponents including New Zealand, India, and the defending champions, Australia. However, Athapaththu believes that the experiences gained in past tournaments and the confidence from beating strong teams recently will serve them well in their quest for a knockout stage berth.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s captain, Fatima Sana, expressed a resolve to overturn their recent disappointing performances, including a loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. Sana emphasized her team’s determination to adopt a more aggressive and fearless approach in this World Cup, aiming to surpass their historical record of winning only one match in the previous six editions of the tournament.
Both teams are eyeing a strong start in Sharjah, hoping to set the tone for their campaigns in a tournament that promises intense competition and the opportunity to make a mark on the international scene.