Samarawickrama to Lead Sri Lanka at Women's Emerging Nations Trophy

Sri Lanka have handed Harshitha Samarawickrama the captaincy for the upcoming ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy, the ICC confirmed on Wednesday. The 14-member squad will contest the tournament in the United Arab Emirates, with Samarawickrama taking charge in the absence of full-time captain Chamari Athapaththu. Sri Lanka have been drawn in Group A alongside Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts UAE, while Group B features Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Netherlands and Zimbabwe. All matches will be played in Ajman, split between the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground and the Seven Districts Sports Club. Sri Lanka open their group campaign against Ireland on November 12 at the Karwan ground, before facing the hosts UAE on November 16 at Seven Districts. The tournament offers emerging players a rare chance to test themselves in international tournament conditions, and the leadership opportunity marks a significant step for Samarawickrama. With Athapaththu unavailable, the squad will look to its new skipper for stability at the top of the order and calm decision-making in the field. A strong showing in Ajman would underline the depth developing beneath Sri Lanka's senior side.