Sri Lanka names Samarawickrama captain for Emerging Nations Trophy

Sri Lanka named a 14-member squad for the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in the UAE on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

Harshitha Samarawickrama will lead the side because full-time captain Chamari Athapaththu is not part of the squad.

Vishmi Gunarathne and Nilakshika Silva return to the team after missing the Asian Games.

Fast bowler Malki Madara also earned a place, having been left out of both the Asia Cup and Asian Games squads.

Sathya Sandeepani has been called up for the shortest format after six years, and she has played one previous Twenty20 International for Sri Lanka, against India in February 2020.

Sri Lanka are one of five full ICC members taking part in the tournament, alongside Ireland, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, the ICC said.

The tournament has moved to a new format with 10 teams, compared with five in the previous edition, and the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, the UAE and reigning champions Thailand are also competing.

Sri Lanka are in Group A with Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts UAE, while Pakistan are in Group B with Bangladesh, Thailand, the 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's group fixtures are against Ireland on Nov. 12 and Scotland on Nov. 13 at Karwan Sports Club, followed by Papua New Guinea on Nov. 15 and UAE on Nov. 16 at Seven Districts Sports Club.

The Emerging Nations Trophy gives associate and emerging women's teams a competitive tournament, and Thailand enter as the defending champions.