Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu has been nominated for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July 2024, following her pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s historic victory in the Women’s Asia Cup. Athapaththu, who captains the Sri Lankan Women’s team, has been recognized for her exceptional performances throughout the tournament, which culminated in a landmark win against seven-time champions India.
Historic Achievements in Women’s Asia Cup
Athapaththu played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s campaign, leading her team to their first-ever Women’s Asia Cup title. Her standout performances included:
- Career-Best Knock: Athapaththu scored an unbeaten 119 against Malaysia, setting a personal best and leading her team to a comfortable victory.
- Key Contributions in Group Stage: She followed up with an unbeaten 49 against Thailand and made vital contributions in the knockout stages, scoring 63 in the semi-final against Pakistan and 61 in the final against India.
- All-Round Impact: Besides her impressive batting, Athapaththu also took three wickets throughout the tournament, including one in the final, demonstrating her all-round capabilities.
Athapaththu’s performance in July was marked by 304 runs at an impressive strike rate of 146.85, a crucial factor in Sri Lanka’s undefeated run in the tournament. Her leadership and all-round abilities have made her a strong contender for the Player of the Month award.
Other Contenders for the Award
- Smriti Mandhana (India): Mandhana, who previously won the award for June, continued her prolific form in July. She scored a career-best 149 in a one-off Test against South Africa and amassed 273 runs in T20Is, including a key 60 in the Asia Cup final. Her contributions were pivotal in India’s strong performances across formats.
- Shafali Verma (India): Verma scored 229 runs in Tests, including a double century, and 245 runs in T20Is. Her double century was the fastest by an Indian woman, contributing significantly to India’s record total of 603/6 in the Test match. Verma also had a strong showing in the Asia Cup with 200 runs at a strike rate of 140.84.
The ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominations highlight these players’ exceptional achievements and contributions to women’s cricket, with Athapaththu’s nomination underscoring her significant impact on the sport.
