By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

'I hope that ICC would increase the number of international matches we play as we do not have facilities in countries like Australia and New Zealand'

Speaking from the Caribbean island of St. Kitts after her team's victory over Pakistan, Chamani Seneviratne said that Sri Lankan team lacks international exposure though some other countries get regular international encounters.

"I hope that ICC would increase the number of international matches we play as we do not have facilities like in countries such as Australia and New Zealand," she told the BBC Sinhala service, Sandeshaya.

"I think ICC could make a request for other countries to offer more matches to smaller countries and prepare a just schedule for women's internationals."

ICC response

Sri Lankan women secured a thrilling one-run victory over regional rivals Pakistan in their first encounter at the ICC women’s Twenty20 World Cup, but lost to India and New Zealand at the same round.

The ICC actually offered teams ranked 5-10. (which includes Sri Lanka) invitations to compete at the Women's Cricket Challenge in Dubai in October 2010, but Sri Lanka was the only team to turn the offer down ICC Communications Officer James Fitzgerald

"India for example have played new Zealand before but the last time we met New Zealand was the Twenty20 World Cup in England last year," Chamani Senevirathne explained.

The ICC earlier re-organised the Future Tours Programme for men's internationals after coming under pressure especially from the sub-continent.

The ICC, however, says it is the responsibility of the relevant cricket board to arrange their own international fixtures for women.

"They (countries) must play a certain number of matches to meet the minimum requirements in women's cricket," ICC Communications Officer James Fitzgerald told BBC Sinhala service.

"The ICC actually offered teams ranked 5 - 10 (which includes Sri Lanka) invitations to compete at the Women's Cricket Challenge in Dubai in October 2010, but Sri Lanka was the only team to turn the offer down. The ICC certainly encourages and facilitates all women's international teams to play more cricket," Mr. Fitzgerald said in an email message.

The world governing body also noted that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appeared to have taken "a more proactive approach" towards women's cricket recently, a fact agreed by the skipper as well as Harsha de Silva, the national women's coach.