Colombo, Sri Lanka – Harshita Samarawickrama, a prominent player in the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, has been selected to join the Trinbago Knight Riders for the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) women’s cricket tournament. The 26-year-old cricketer’s inclusion in the squad comes following the injury of Australian star Meg Lanning, originally slated to play for the team.
The CPL women’s tournament kicked off yesterday (21st August) in the West Indies, and Harshita’s participation marks a significant milestone. She becomes the first Sri Lankan woman to play in a foreign cricket league since Chamari Athapaththu, adding another feather to her already impressive cap.
Harshita has been in outstanding form recently, particularly during Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20 series against Ireland. She scored an unbeaten 105 runs in the second ODI, becoming only the third Sri Lankan woman to achieve a century in a one-day international, following in the footsteps of Chamari Athapaththu. Additionally, she posted half-centuries in the first two matches of the series, further solidifying her reputation as a top-order batter.
Her international acclaim was further bolstered by her pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s recent triumph in the Asian Championship. Harshita’s knock of 69 runs in the final was instrumental in securing the title for Sri Lanka, a performance that significantly raised her profile on the global stage.
The Trinbago Knight Riders, a team known for its competitive spirit, has also brought in other top international players, including Australia’s Jess Jonassen and India’s Shikha Pandey and Jemimah Rodrigues. The addition of Harshita to the squad is seen as a strategic move to strengthen their batting lineup.
In her T20 career with Sri Lanka, Harshita has played 61 innings, amassing 1,463 runs with an average of 26.18. Her record includes eight half-centuries, with her highest score being an unbeaten 86, achieved in the recent series against Ireland.
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu is also participating in the CPL tournament, making it a significant event for Sri Lankan women’s cricket as two of its top players showcase their talents on an international platform.
Harshita’s selection to the CPL is not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for Sri Lankan cricket, as it reflects the growing recognition and opportunities for women cricketers from the island nation on the global stage.
