Women’s Asia Cup commences Friday

By Sarashi Samarasinghe
The 4th Women’s Asia Cup will be held in Dambulla and Welagedera Stadiums from May 2 to 11 with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka participating. This is the 2nd Asia Cup which will be hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Speaking at a pres conference held Monday at Global Towers, Wellawatte, Duleep Mendis, Chief Executive Sri Lanka Cricket said: “Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket is also coming under SLC and it is our responsibility to promote the standards here also. Sri Lanka has been runners-up to India in the Women’s Asia Cup in the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 and we expect them to perform creditably at this tournament.” He added that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have already gone a long way in Women’s Cricket where they have already introduced the sport to schools.

Chairman, Interim Committee, Sri Lanka Cricket, Arjuna Ranatunga said that the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket is having a little financial difficulties. That was the reason why women’s cricket was still under Sri Lanka Cricket.

“We should also focus our attention on starting women’s cricket in schools,” said Ranatunga.

Manager, Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team Miss Ariyaratne said that they are hoping to win the cup this year and welcomed all teams to visit our country and to enjoy the tournament.

“The Indian women’s team reached the finals at the 1st Asia Cup,” said Manager, Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Miss Mukherjee. Speaking of the team she said: “Jaya Sharma opens the batting with one of the seniors Neetu David and are going to be a good combination for the Indian team this time. Anagha Deshpande is a very talented cricketer and has a bright future whereas Asha Rawat has a special efficiency in performing and Devika Palshikar is doing her level best for the Indian Team. Our coach Shantha Rangaswamy is focusing her high efficiency on the players and they are looking forward to a good tournament.”

The manager of the Pakistan Cricket Team said that they are very happy to participate in this tournament and that they are hoping to play well especially in this cup.

“It is a great opportunity and a pleasure for us to participate in this tournament where Bangladesh has become a new addition,” said the Manager, Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team. She further said that their team had beaten the Hongkong Women’s Cricket team last month at the Asian Cricket Cup Championship and that they are hoping to do better in future. “We are hoping to enable our team members to play, learn and gather knowledge through experience,” said the Manager.

Pakistan women’s team captain Urooj Mumtaz said that they are looking forward to a very high competition and for a good final match.

“We are hoping to have a tough game,” said Mumtaz.

Bangladesh women’s team vice-captain Salma Khatur said they do have many aspects to benefit from this tournament.

“Yes, we need to do something brilliant,” said Khatur.

“This tournament is very challenging for us and we are looking for good games with the rest of the teams,” said India’s captain Mithali Raj.

Captain, Sri Lanka Women’s team, Shashikala Siriwardena said that they have been going under training for a long period of seven months and that they will give a good account of themselves in this tournament. “We have six all-rounders, a strong batting line-up and are good in the fielding department. We are placed in the sixth position in world rankings and our target is to enter the final and win the Asia Cup this year,” said Siriwardena.