DUBAI, UAE — In a display of sheer bowling brilliance, Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu rewrote the record books of international cricket, claiming extraordinary figures of 7 wickets for just 5 runs against Indonesia in the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament.
Athapaththu's blistering 3.3-over spell—which also featured a dramatic hat-trick—helped Sri Lanka skittle out Indonesia for just 49 runs in 18.3 overs, securing a commanding 75-run victory.
A Record-Breaking Masterclass
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka set a target of 125, powered by half-spinner Nilakshi de Silva's top score of 50, which pushed the team to 124 for seven in their 20 overs. While the total appeared defendable, few could have anticipated the storm Athapaththu was about to unleash with the ball.
The veteran all-rounder tore through the Indonesian batting order, conceding a mere five runs across 21 deliveries. In doing so, Athapaththu achieved several historic milestones:
Best Bowling Figures in Women's Asia Cup History: She eclipsed the previous tournament record of 5/10 set by Pakistan's Marina Iqbal against Nepal in 2012.
First 7-Wicket Haul Across Asia Cup Editions: Athapaththu became the first bowler—male or female—to register a seven-wicket haul in any Asia Cup tournament.
First Captain with a 5-Fer & Hat-Trick: She holds the unique distinction of being the first captain in Women's T20 International (WT20I) history to combine a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick in the same innings.
Best Bowling Figures in Women's Asia Cup History
| Bowler | Team | Figures | Opponent | Year |
| Chamari Athapaththu | Sri Lanka | 7/5 | Indonesia | 2026 |
| Marina Iqbal | Pakistan | 5/10 | Nepal | 2012 |
| Wongpaka Liengprasert | Thailand | 5/12 | Sri Lanka | 2018 |
| Omaima Sohail | Pakistan | 5/13 | Sri Lanka | 2022 |
| Nida Dar | Pakistan | 5/21 | Sri Lanka | 2018 |
Capping a Legendary Legacy
Since making her WT20I debut for Sri Lanka back in 2009, Athapaththu has been a cornerstone of her national team. Over a career spanning more than 160 T20Is, she has amassed over 4,000 runs—including four centuries—and now holds 85 international wickets in the format.
Named Player of the Match for her breathtaking performance, Athapaththu's leadership and skill continue to set high standards in modern women's cricket. With Sri Lanka riding high on this emphatic victory, the skipper's historic spell serves as a loud warning to their remaining tournament rivals.
