Kavisha Kumari upbeat despite dismissal by her hero Chamari Athapaththu in Dubai
Amid the array of world stars who have headed to Dubai for the first FairBreak Invitational, there was always going to be one who stood out for Kavisha Kumari.
As a Sri Lankan citizen, the UAE opener has always looked up to Chamari Athapaththu, the shining light of women’s cricket in the country.
On Wednesday, the first night of the new T20 tournament at Dubai International Stadium provided ample evidence as to why she is a role model for so many.
Athapaththu lashed 107 off a mere 55 balls to get the competition off to the most rousing start possible.
So when Kumari was faced with her hero coming into bowl at her while opening the batting for the Barmy Army, she might have been forgiven for feeling distracted.
The 19-year-old batter did, in fact, fall to Athapaththu’s off-spin — but only because she mistimed a shot and was caught at the wicket, not because she was star struck, she said.
“I was focused on the ball, not the bowler,” Kumari said.
“I was only looking at the ball, then when I got to the non-striker’s end I was like, ‘That’s Chamari!’ Other than that, it was the ball I was focused on.
Nanapat Koncharoenkai of Falcons appeals for the wicket of Kavisha Kumari during their T20 match. Getty.
“I just wanted to hit her, to rotate the strike, and get the best out of it. But there was a feather touch [on her dismissal].”
Kumari made 24 and was the dominant partner in an opening stand worth 49 with Deandra Dottin, the big-hitting West Indies opener.
Dottin, who wears the name “World Boss” on the back of her shirt rather than her surname, found her range shortly after being parted from Kumari.
She ended with 80 not out from 59 balls as Barmy Army reached 152 for three from their 20 overs.
“She is very supportive,”