The Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 15-member squad for the fast-approaching Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, with the team set to be led by their regular captain and experienced batter, Chamari Athapaththu.

One name that made headlines after the squad was announced on Thursday, 11 April, was of a 15-year-old teenage spin sensation Shashini Gimhani.

The uncapped youngster earned a spot in the senior women’s side on the back of her impressive showing in the recently concluded U19 Women’s tri-series against England and Australia.

She returned 2/12 in a clash against England in the T20 leg of the tour, while she made returns of 3/48 in a one-day game against Australia last week.

Gimhani also gained popularity during the U19 tri-nation clash for her unorthodox bowling action, drawing slight similarities with South Africa’s famous spinner Paul Adams, nicknamed “frog in the blender”. (Photo courtesy: SLC)

At the age of 16 years and 149 days, right-handed batter Vishmi Gunaratne made history by becoming the youngest player to represent Sri Lanka in a Women’s T20I match in 2022.

If Gimhani, currently 15 years and 124 days old, gets the opportunity to play in the Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, she would break that record.

Also read: Groups, fixtures confirmed for ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024

The Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier will take place from 25 April with the final scheduled for 7 May. Ten teams will compete in the tournament, divided into two groups of five each.

Group A: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Scotland, Uganda, USA

Group B: Ireland, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, UAE, Vanuatu

The top two teams from each group, the finalists, will earn qualification for the main event in Bangladesh later this year.