Chamari named Women’s ODI Player of the Year

Chamari Atapattu

Sri Lanka star Chamari Atapattu has won the ICC Women’s One Day International (ODI) Cricketer of the Year for 2023 after a stellar 12 months.
Chamari was rewarded for her exceptional year with the bat in ODIs. The Sri Lanka top-order batter made significant contributions with the bat and as Captain, notably leading the side to a first bilateral series win over New Zealand.
Chamari showcased exceptional skills and leadership throughout the year, excelling both as a Captain and a player in the ODI format.
She started the year as Skipper with a 1-0 win in a rain-truncated series over Bangladesh. With the first two matches not producing a result due to rain, the final clash turned into a decider.
In a 30-over-a-side game, the Skipper stroked a 60-ball 64 laced with six fours and four sixes to propel Sri Lanka to 186. With the ball, she got rid of her opposite number and top-scorer Nigar Sultana to put her side in pole position for victory.

Her finest hours as a player and Captain came against New Zealand where Sri Lanka recorded their first-ever bilateral series win (2-1) over the White Ferns. Chamari starred in both victories with a couple of fiery centuries that blew New Zealand away. 
Her 108 not out and 140 not out came in pressure chases and on both occasions, the opener was at the crease to guide her team to victory.
Chamari brought her A-game in the crunch series decider against New Zealand with a stunning unbeaten 140 to take Sri Lanka to a historic victory.
Undeterred by the challenging circumstances, Chamari took an aggressive approach, matching New Zealand’s fire with her own. In a remarkable turnaround, Sri Lanka reached a run-a-ball rate by the 10-over mark.
Chamari raced to a fifty off just 31 balls. It took her only 29 more balls to reach the century, which is the fourth-fastest in Women’s ODI history and the fastest by a Sri Lankan. 
(ICC)