Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu hopes for an Asian team to finally break through and win the Women’s World Cup. Australia, England, and New Zealand have dominated in the Women’s World Cups, with Australia overseeing seven titles, England four, and New Zealand just one. India has probably come closest twice, as runners-up in 2000 and 2017, going down to Australia and England, respectively.
Athapaththu’s sentiment arises from the realization that Asia has never been able to claim the coveted trophy despite many attempts. The ongoing 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India surely has India ready to turn this perception around. India looks promising, and the outcome of this tournament is greatly anticipated.
The 2025 World Cup is contested amongst eight teams, including India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals.
Hope an Asian team wins Women’s World Cup this time: Chamari AthapaththuÂ
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Chamari Athapaththu, the captain of the Sri Lanka side has voiced her hope that at last an Asian side will make it through to lift the Women’s World Cup, a title hitherto denied to the continent.
“As an Asian, I would love to see an Asian team win this trophy—maybe Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. Playing in Asia feels special for us. It’s a privilege to play on home soil, and I hope an Asian team lifts the trophy this year,” Athapaththu said on the eve of Sri Lanka’s tournament opener against India.
“This is the first time Sri Lanka is co-hosting. Playing in the subcontinent is an advantage because India and Sri Lanka have similar conditions. But if we think too much about it, we won’t do well. If we can make the semifinals, that will be a really good achievement for us. Then we can take it from there,” she said.
