Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the launch of a Women’s National Super League (NSL) for both 50-over and T20 formats, similar to the Men’s NSL introduced in 2022. The 50-over tournament is scheduled to commence on February 6 in Colombo, followed by the T20 competition.

The NSL aims to streamline the country’s top women’s cricket talent, with four teams – Colombo, Kandy, Dambulla, and Galle – participating, comprising a total of 60 players. According to an SLC media release, this initiative is a significant advancement for women’s cricket in Sri Lanka, providing players with the opportunity to compete in the country’s premier domestic competition and showcase their skills for national selection.

Both tournaments will be held consecutively in Colombo, with each team facing off against the others once before the finals. The 50-over final is scheduled for February 12, followed by the T20 tournament starting on February 15, with the T20 final set for February 20.

This development marks a significant boost for women’s cricket in Sri Lanka, especially considering the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The period between March 2020 and November 2021 saw the Sri Lankan women’s team unable to participate in any international fixtures. However, there has been a resurgence in competitive tours since 2022, with series against India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, and England, including notable achievements such as a historic home ODI series win against New Zealand and a T20I series win against England.

In 2023, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu had a stellar year, being named ICC’s ODI Player of the Year, highlighting the growing prominence of women’s cricket in the country.

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