Skipper optimistic despite rain-hit campaign; Sri Lanka must win final three games to stay alive in CWC25
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu remains upbeat about her team’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, despite weather disruptions leaving them with plenty of work to do.
Persistent rain in Colombo on Tuesday forced the abandonment of Sri Lanka’s clash with New Zealand, adding just one more point to their tally. With two points from four games and no victories yet, Athapaththu knows the equation is now simple — win all remaining matches or bow out early.
“The next game is very crucial for us because we need to win all three,” Athapaththu said after the washout. “We’re focusing on what’s next. I know there are areas we need to improve before facing South Africa, and hopefully, the weather stays clear so we can play our best cricket.”
Positive Takeaways Despite Rain Frustration
While rain robbed Sri Lanka of a potential breakthrough win, Athapaththu was encouraged by her side’s strong batting display against the White Ferns. Sri Lanka posted an impressive 258/6, powered by Nilakshika Silva’s unbeaten 55 off 28 balls — the fastest fifty of the tournament — and Vishmi Gunaratne’s steady 42 at the top of the order.
Gunaratne’s return to opening, after a brief stint in the middle order, proved pivotal. The young batter had struggled with scores of 10 and 11 earlier in the competition but looked far more assured back in her natural role.
“Vishmi is our No.1 opener,” Athapaththu explained. “She had a tough time over the last few months, so we moved her to No.4. But after talking with the selectors and team management, we decided to bring her back up. Today she showed real intent and confidence — it worked well for the top order, and Nilakshika’s knock also gave us great momentum.”
New Zealand Left to Regroup After Missed Opportunity
For New Zealand, the rain-affected result was equally frustrating. Sophie Devine’s side missed the chance to climb level with India in the standings, instead remaining fifth with three points. The White Ferns must now win all their remaining fixtures to stay in contention for the knockouts.
“It’s disappointing not to get a full game in,” Devine admitted. “We were in a good position and wanted to build on that. Pakistan will be a real challenge in these conditions — they’ve shown fight in every match. We’ll regroup, review what worked in this half-game, and be ready for Saturday.”
Sri Lanka’s Path Forward
Sri Lanka now face a defining stretch — matches against South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan will determine their fate. With their batting lineup finally showing rhythm and Athapaththu leading from the front, the team will hope the rain stays away long enough to mount a late charge for the semi-finals.
If they can translate promise into performance, the island nation’s campaign might still have one final twist left in Colombo.