Apart from Vihanga and Ayodhya, Sri Lanka have also brought back seamer Chethana Vimukthi, who was part of the ODI squad against Pakistan last month. Making way are seamer Malki Madara, seam-bowling allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi and left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage.

Ayodhya, who bowls with a slingy action, was part of their T20 World Cup squad but was left out of the bilateral home series against Pakistan last month. She had picked up four wickets, the second-most for Sri Lanka, in the 12-team tournament in England held in June. Vihanga has played 12 ODIs for Sri Lanka. She picked up eight wickets in the Women’s National Super League, Sri Lanka’s domestic T20 tournament, earlier this year. She also played two ODIs against Pakistan last month but returned wicketless.

Sri Lanka are grouped alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates in Group B of the Asia Cup. They take on UAE on August 29 to start their title defence. Sri Lanka are the Asia Cup holders, having defeated India in the final in Dambulla in 2024.

Sri Lanka squad for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup

Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Imesha Dulani, Sanjana Kavindi, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (vice-capt), Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Dewmi Vihanga, Sugandika Kumari, Chamudi Praboda, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya