UP Warriorz (UPW) player Chamari Athapaththu will leave the Women's Premier League (WPL) to join Sri Lanka for a white-ball series against New Zealand. The series commences on March 4 in Napier. Athapaththu's departure is yet another major loss for UP Warriorz, who are already missing their regular skipper Alyssa Healy with an injury. According to ESPNcricinfo, Athapaththu will remain with UP Warriorz until February 26. She will be available to play four matches before leaving for national duty. UPW's match against Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru on February 26 will be her final one this season. Post that, the team will proceed to Lucknow for the last three league matches. Athapaththu missed the first match for UP Warriorz, which they lost to Gujarat Giants. Also Read | 5 Major Records Virat Kohli Can Break in Champions Trophy 2025 Athapaththu to Lead Sri Lanka Squad Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) named Athapaththu the captain of the 16-player team that will travel to New Zealand. The team will depart on February 22 for the series consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is. At the same time, New Zealand's Amelia Kerr, who represents Mumbai Indians in the WPL, will remain behind for the whole tournament. In case Mumbai Indians make it to the playoffs, Kerr will miss the first two T20Is against Sri Lanka on March 14 and 16 in Christchurch. Kerr had also missed home games against England last year to participate in the WPL. In 2024, the same thing happened when England's Heather Knight and Lauren Bell opted for international duty ahead of the WPL. UPW had at that time called in Athapaththu in place of Bell. Cricket boards such as the ECB have since vowed not to plan matches in the WPL window. Starting from 2026, the tournament will shift to a January-February slot to avoid clashes. Leagues such as the Hundred and WBBL also now have fixed windows in the new FTP through to 2029.