# Sri Lanka recall ‘Lady Malinga’ for Women’s Asia Cup defence 2026-08-13T16:52:28+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet India Today reports that Sri Lanka have recalled 19-year-old Mithali Ayodhya, nicknamed 'Lady Malinga', for the Women's T20 Asia Cup title defence in Dubai. The quick took four wickets in the T20 World Cup earlier this year but was left out of the home series against Pakistan. Now she returns as defending champions begin their campaign against UAE on August 29. Legspinner Dewmi Vihanga earns her maiden T20I call-up after eight wickets in the National Super League. Three changes were made from the Pakistan series squad. Captain Chamari Athapaththu leads, with Harshitha Samarawickrama as deputy. Teenager Sanjana Kavindi retains her place. Sri Lanka are in Group B with Bangladesh, Indonesia and UAE. ## Coverage - indiatoday.in Tags: Asia Cup, Chamari Athapaththu, Dewmi Vihanga, Mithali Ayodhya, Sri Lanka, women's cricket Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/sri-lanka-recall-lady-malinga-for-womens-asia-cup-defence/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/sri-lanka-recall-lady-malinga-for-womens-asia-cup-defence/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.