News Analysis
Two days after describing herself as “a failure” for never steering Sri Lanka beyond the group stage at ten T20 World Cups, Chamari Athapaththu replied the only way she really knows – with the bat. Chasing a modest 131 against Ireland, the left-hander thumped a 61-ball 106, her fourth T20I hundred and one that made up 79 per cent of the team total. It was the sort of innings that forces everyone to look up, even if only a flicker of hope remains for Sri Lanka in this tournament.
The numbers underline the dominance: 17 fours – eight either side of extra cover, six picked up behind square on the leg side – plus two straight sixes. By the time Athapaththu walked off, Sri Lanka had won with 18 balls in hand and their net run-rate, at least, had a pulse.
Key facts first
• Target: 131
• Athapaththu: 106* (61 balls)
• Contribution: 79.1% of Sri Lanka’s runs – a T20I record for an innings topping 100
• Result: Sri Lanka beat Ireland by eight wickets, stay mathematically alive
“I love those comments because otherwise I won’t improve,” Athapaththu said of the social-media noise about her recent form. “Sometimes healthy criticism is really good for a cricketer. That’s why I played a good game today and I showed my jersey and my name because I said to the others, ‘I’m still alive.’”
Context matters. Until Wednesday her last T20I hundred had been back in July 2024 against Malaysia, and she had not crossed three figures in an ODI since the April 2024 chase of 302 versus South Africa. In between there were useful fifties but an average of 26.70 in ODIs and 31.60 in T20Is is not the return a side so reliant on its captain can live with for long. At 36, questions about retirement swirl every time she miscues a pull. Yesterday’s point-and-name celebration – almost a footballer’s pose – suggested they can wait.
Depth still the sticking point
Sri Lanka’s wider problem is what happens when their captain is not in superhero mode. Athapaththu remains the only woman from the island with more than one T20I ton; Harshita Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne have one each in ODIs, nobody else threatens three figures regularly. There is talent – Kavisha Dilhari’s wrist-spin, Kaushini Nuthyangana’s glovework – but consistency is patchy.
“We don’t have three or four world-class players in my team,” the skipper admitted. “The team is very young and they don’t have franchise exposure and the experience. We find good players but it’s too hard to build a good team without good world-class players. Other teams – Australia, New Zealand, England – have world-class players.” She did not mention India, perhaps an oversight, although her short stint with UP Warriorz in the WPL underlines the value she places on franchise cricket. “Bangladesh, Pakistan – everyone gets better when they mix with overseas players. Our girls need that too.”
Expert view
Former Sri Lanka coach Hashan Tillakaratne agreed the pathway remains narrow. “Chamari is carrying a huge load,” he told local radio. “If two others chip in with 30s, Sri Lanka become a different beast. The skills exist; the exposure doesn’t.”
Ireland’s angle
For Ireland, the defeat was a reminder of the gap they still need to bridge. Coach Ed Joyce praised his young attack for “holding their nerve for 12 overs” but conceded that once Athapaththu settled, “there wasn’t much any side could do on that surface”. Orla Prendergast, who top-scored with 41, was honest: “She took the game away in a blink. We’ll learn from it.”
What next
Sri Lanka must beat Bangladesh convincingly and hope other results fall kindly. It is a long shot. Yet as long as Athapaththu is at the crease, ruling nothing out feels wise.
A final word from the skipper, delivered with a half-smile: “I’m still alive.” Right now, so are Sri Lanka’s chances – just.
