News

The Sri Lanka youth team lead from the first innings.

Published

4 years ago

August 24, 2022

Editor

The Sri Lankan youth team, which has participated in a four-day test match with the England youth team, is in a huge situation by scoring 407 runs in its first innings. Limited to 387 runs in their first innings, the England youth team started their second innings yesterday (23) behind by 20 runs. By the end of the third day, they had scored 199 runs with the loss of 3 wickets, and the England team had taken the lead with 179 runs in the second innings.

Asitha Vanninayake, who scored 132 runs the previous day, had the opportunity to stay on the field today for only 8 more balls. Vanninayake failed to collect a single run in the innings on the third day when he was dismissed by Spinwall’s delivery straight through the stumps.

However, starting the day with Asitha, the middle-order batsman Ravinda Silva scored 62 runs and managed to fulfil the responsibility of the middle order of the innings. Due to Lahiru Dawata’s first ball dismissal, the young Sri Lankan innings were in danger of going backwards, but Vinuja Ranpul, who joined the captain, added 76 runs for the 7th wicket and took the Sri Lankan innings over England’s first innings.

Today (24) is the fourth and last day of the match.

England youth team all out for 387 in 78.3 overs – George Bell 107, Bertie Foreman (not out 58, Ross Whitefield 86, Harry Singh 27, Ben McKinney 33, Duvindu Ranatunga 100/4, Dulaj Samuditha 105/2, Vanuja Sahan 56/2)

Sri Lanka Youth 407 all out in 141.1 overs – (Asitha Vanninayake 132, Ranuda Somaratne 65, Pawan Pathiraja 32, Shevon Daniel 22, Ravin de Silva 62, Vinuja Ranpul 42, Bertie Foreman 94/4, Thomas Aspinwall 98/2, Benjamin Cliff 68/2, Eddie Jack 62/2)

Young England second innings 199 for 3 in 45 overs – (Ross Whitefield 110, Ben McKinney 56, George Bell (not out) 28, Vanuja Sahan 52/2)

ශ්‍රී ලංකා යොවුන් පිල පළමු ඉනිමෙන් පෙරමුණට

එංගලන්ත යොවුන් පිල හා සිව්දින ටෙස්ට් තරගයකට සහභාගී වී සිටින ශ්‍රී ලංකා යොවුන් පිල තම පළමු ඉනිමට ලකුණු 407 ලබා ගනිමින් ඉතා දැවැන්ත තත්වයක පසු වේ. සිය පළමු ඉනිමට ලකුණු 387කට සීමා වූ එංගලන්ත යොවුන් පිළ ඊයේ දින (23) ලකුණු 20 පිටුපසින් සිට සිය දෙවන ඉනිම ඇරබීය. තෙවන දිනය නිමා වන විට කඩුලු 3ක් දැවී ලකුණු 199 ලබා සිටි අතර එංගලන්ත පිල දෙවන ඉනිමේ ලකුණු 179 කින් පෙරමුණට පැමිණ ඇත.

පෙර දින ලකුණු 132 ක් ලබා සිටි අසිත වන්නිනායකට අද දිනයේදී පිටියේ රැඳී සිටීමට අවස්ථාව උදාවූයේ තවත් පන්දු 8 කට පමණි. ස්පින්වෝල්ගේ පන්දුවක් කෙළින්ම කඩුල්ලේ වැදීම නිසා වන්නිනායක දැවී යන විට තෙවැනි දිනයේදී එකම ලකුණක් හෝ ඉනිමට එකතු කර ගැනීමට අපොහොසත් වූවේය.

කෙසේ වෙතත් අසිත සමඟ දිනය ඇරැඹි මැද පෙළ පිතිකරු රවීන්ද සිල්වා නායකත්වයේ පිතිහරඹයක නිරත වෙමින් ලකුණු 62 ක් ලබා ගත්තේ ඉනිමේ මැද පෙළෙහි වගකීම මනාව ඉටු කිරීමට සමත් විය. ළහිරු දවටගේ පළමු පන්දුවෙන්ම දැවී යෑම නිසා ශ්‍රී ලංකා යොවුන් ඉනිම යම් කිසි පසුබෑමකට යෑමේ අවධානමක් පෙන්නුම් කළත් නායකයා හා එක් වුණු විනුජ රන්පුල් 7 වැනි කඩුල්ල වෙනුවෙන් ලකුණු 76 ක සම්බන්ධතාවක් එක් කරමින් එංගලන්ත පළමු ඉනිම අභිබවා ශ්‍රී ලංකා ඉනිම රැගෙන ගියහ.

අද (24) තරගයේ සිව්වැනි සහ අවසන් දිනයයි.

එංගලන්ත යොවුන් පිල පළමු ඉනිම පන්දුවාර 78.3 කදී සියලු දෙනා දැවී ලකුණු 387 යි – ජෝර්ජ් බෙල් 107, බර්ටී ෆෝර්මන් (නොදැවී_ 58, රොස් වයිට්ෆීල්ඩ් 86, හැරී සිං 27, බෙන් මැකිනි 33, දුවිඳු රණතුංග 100/4, දුලාජ් සමුදිත 105/2, වනුජ සහන් 56/2)

ශ්‍රී ලංකා යොවුන් පිල පළමු ඉනිම පන්දුවාර 141.1 කදී සියලු දෙනා දැවී ලකුණු 407 යි – (අසිත වන්නිනායක 132, රනුද සෝමරත්න 65, පවන් පතිරාජ 32, ෂෙවෝන් ඩැනියල් 22, රවීන් ද සිල්වා 62, විනුජ රන්පුල් 42, බර්ටි ෆෝර්මන් 94/4, තෝමස් අස්පින්වෝල් 98/2, බෙන්ජමින් ක්ලිෆ් 68/2, එඩී ජැක් 62/2)

එංගලන්ත යොවුන් පිල දෙවැනි ඉනිම පන්දුවාර 45 කදී කඩුලු 3 ක් දැවී ලකුණු 199 යි – (රොස් වයිට්ෆීල්ඩ් 110, බෙන් මැක්කිනේ 56, ජෝර්ජ් බෙල් (නොදැවී) 28, වනුජ සහන් 52/2)

இலங்கை இளையோர் அணி முதல் இன்னிங்சில் முன்னிலை

இங்கிலாந்து இளையோர் அணியுடன் நான்கு நாள் டெஸ்ட் போட்டியில் பங்கேற்றுள்ள இலங்கை இளையோர் அணி, தனது முதல் இன்னிங்சில் 407 ஓட்டங்களைப் பெற்று மாபெரும் நிலைமைக்கு தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளது. தமது முதல் இன்னிங்ஸில் 387 ஓட்டங்களுக்கு மட்டுப்படுத்தப்பட்ட இங்கிலாந்து இளையோர் அணி 20 ஓட்டங்களால் பின்தங்கிய நிலையில் நேற்று (23) தமது இரண்டாவது இன்னிங்ஸை ஆரம்பித்தது. மூன்றாம் நாள் முடிவில் 3 விக்கெட் இழப்புக்கு 199 ரன்கள் எடுத்திருந்த நிலையில், இங்கிலாந்து அணி 2-வது இன்னிங்சில் 179 ரன்கள் எடுத்து முன்னிலை பெற்றது.

நேற்றுமுன்தினம் 132 ஓட்டங்களைப் பெற்றிருந்த அசித வன்னிநாயக்கவுக்கு மேலும் 8 பந்துகளுக்கு மாத்திரமே இன்று களத்தில் நிற்கும் வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தது. மூன்றாம் நாள் இன்னிங்ஸில் வன்னிநாயக்க ஒரு ரன் கூட எடுக்கத் தவறினார், அப்போது அவர் ஸ்பின்வாலின் பந்து வீச்சில் நேராக ஸ்டம்புகளுக்குள் ஆட்டமிழந்தார்.

எவ்வாறாயினும், அசிதாவுடன் இன்றைய தினத்தை ஆரம்பித்த மத்திய வரிசை துடுப்பாட்ட வீரர் ரவிந்த சில்வா 62 ஓட்டங்களைப் பெற்று இன்னிங்ஸின் மிடில் ஆர்டரின் பொறுப்பை நிறைவேற்றினார். லஹிரு தவத்தாவின் முதல் பந்தில் ஆட்டமிழந்ததால் இலங்கையின் இளம் இன்னிங்ஸ் பின்னோக்கி செல்லும் அபாயத்தில் இருந்தது.ஆனால் கேப்டனுடன் இணைந்த வினுஜா ரன்புல் 7வது விக்கெட்டுக்கு 76 ரன்கள் சேர்த்து இலங்கை இன்னிங்சை இங்கிலாந்தின் முதல் இன்னிங்சை கைப்பற்றினார்.

இன்று (24) போட்டியின் நான்காவது மற்றும் கடைசி நாள்.

இங்கிலாந்து இளைஞர் அணி 78.3 ஓவரில் 387 ரன்களுக்கு ஆல் அவுட் – ஜார்ஜ் பெல் 107, பெர்டி ஃபோர்மேன் (58 நாட், ராஸ் வைட்ஃபீல்ட் 86, ஹாரி சிங் 27, பென் மெக்கின்னி 33, துவிந்து ரணதுங்கா 100/4, துலாஜ் சமுதிதா 105/2, வனுஜா சஹான் 56 2)

இலங்கை யூத் 141.1 ஓவர்களில் 407 ஆல் அவுட் – (அசித வன்னிநாயக்க 132, ரனுதா சோமரத்ன 65, பவன் பதிராஜா 32, ஷெவோன் டேனியல் 22, ரவின் டி சில்வா 62, வினுஜா ரன்புல் 42, பேர்டி ஃபோர்மேன் 94/4, தாமஸ் 8 ஆஸ்பின்வால், பென்ஜமின் 2 68/2, எடி ஜாக் 62/2)

இளம் இங்கிலாந்து இரண்டாவது இன்னிங்ஸ் 45 ஓவர்களில் 3 விக்கெட் இழப்புக்கு 199 – (ராஸ் வைட்ஃபீல்ட் 110, பென் மெக்கின்னி 56, ஜார்ஜ் பெல் (நாட் அவுட்) 28, வனுஜா சஹான் 52/2)

News

BALL BLASTER 2026: SRI LANKA’S BIGGEST SCHOOL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS BIGGER THAN EVER

Published

5 days ago

September 17, 2026

Editor

24 Schools, 15 Venues and Three National Trophies as Ball Blaster Enters Its Third Year

COLOMBO — Ball Blaster, Sri Lanka’s premier school football tournament, is set to return in 2026 with its biggest edition yet, organized by Aasgard Sports (Private) Limited in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association and the Ministry of Education.

Now entering its third year, Ball Blaster has grown from 2023 with 20 schools into one of the country’s largest youth football events. The 2025 edition featured 16 schools competing across four groups, drawing national broadcast attention through Sri Lankan Sports TV and PEO TV. For 2026, the tournament expands significantly, with 24 schools set to compete across 15 venues nationwide, in a season spanning six weeks and 84 matches.

A NEW FORMAT: THREE TROPHIES, THREE CHAMPIONS

The standout feature of Ball Blaster 2026 is a new three-tier trophy format. Schools will be drawn into four groups of six, playing a round-robin group stage before advancing into one of three parallel championships based on their group finish: the Cup Trophy for group winners, the Bowl Trophy for runners-up, and the Plate Trophy for second runners-up. The format ensures every participating school remains in contention for a national title deep into the tournament.

All three championships will reach their conclusion on the same finals weekend, with third-place playoffs and grand finals for the Cup, Bowl and Plate trophies all being played at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“Ball Blaster has always been about giving young footballers a stage,” said a spokesperson for Aasgard Sports. “This year, we’re expanding that stage to every corner of the island, and making sure every school that takes part has something real to play for, right to the final whistle.”

BUILDING ON A STRONG 2025

Ball Blaster’s growth has been underpinned by strong sponsor support. The 2025 edition was backed by Lifebuoy as Title Sponsor, alongside Lemonade as Refreshing Partner and Sky Market Travels as Travelling Partner. Organizers say conversations are already underway with returning and new sponsors ahead of the 2026 season, as the tournament’s expanded scale — nationwide venues, a longer season and three separate finals — offers significantly greater visibility for partners.

BROADCAST AND COVERAGE

As in previous years, Ball Blaster 2026 will be broadcast live via Sri Lankan Sports TV and PEO Sports, with matches also available on YouTube and across Sri Lankan Sports TV’s digital platforms.

For sponsorship and partnership enquiries, contact: Pasindu Mihiranga Sri Lankan Sports TV | Aasgard Sports (Private) Limited 0726 85 18 18 marketing@srilankansportstv.com

www.srilankansportstv.com

Football

Jaswar Umar Hails FIFA Series as Turning Point for Sri Lankan Football

Published

2 weeks ago

September 10, 2026

Editor

Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar has described the inaugural FIFA Series in Colombo as a major milestone for the country’s football development, saying the tournament has given Sri Lanka renewed confidence and a stronger connection with the international game.

Umar, who has been involved in efforts to strengthen Sri Lankan football administration and development, said hosting the tournament demonstrated that developing football nations could compete on the global stage when given meaningful opportunities.

The FIFA Series, held in Colombo in March 2024, brought Sri Lanka together with Bhutan, Papua New Guinea and the Central African Republic. The four participating nations represented three different confederations, giving Sri Lanka an unusual opportunity to face teams with different playing styles.

Sri Lanka completed its campaign unbeaten, drawing 0-0 against Papua New Guinea and defeating Bhutan 2-0. Umar said the matches provided valuable experience for the national team and helped players adapt to different forms of international competition.

DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 17: FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Football Federation of Sri Lanka President Jaswar Umar during a meeting on December 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Serhat Akin/FIFA)

He stressed that the benefits extended beyond the football field. Sri Lankan officials involved in administration, technical operations, media, medical services and event management gained practical experience in organising matches to international standards.

The Racecourse Ground also received an important upgrade through assistance from FIFA’s Forward Programme. The renovation enabled the historic Colombo venue to host international football and created improved facilities for future events.

Umar said one of the most important achievements was bringing international football closer to Sri Lankan supporters. Young fans were able to watch national players compete against foreign opposition in their own city, helping to inspire a new generation.

He thanked FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino for supporting developing football nations.

According to Umar, the FIFA Series has left Sri Lanka with more than match results. It has provided international experience, stronger administrative capabilities, improved infrastructure and, most importantly, renewed belief in the future of Sri Lankan football.

Cricket

Dulani’s sparkling century powers Sri Lanka to thrilling victory

Published

2 months ago

July 31, 2026

Editor

Imesha Dulani stole the spotlight with a sensational unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women chased down a formidable target of 177 to register a convincing six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the first T20I worked off at Dambulla international Stadium.

Pakistan looked set for victory after posting a competitive 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. Captain Muneeba Ali gave the innings early momentum with a fluent 42 off 24 balls, while Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings superbly with a brilliant 63 from 41 deliveries, striking 10 fours and a six. Eman Naseer added a valuable 21, while Ayesha Zafar and Saira Jabeen played aggressive cameos in the closing overs to push Pakistan to an above-par total.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Kavisha Dilhari leading the way with two dismissals. Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari and Kawya Kavindi chipped in with one wicket apiece, while disciplined fielding produced two crucial run-outs.

The chase belonged entirely to Dulani, who delivered the innings of the match. Displaying confidence, composure and a wide range of attacking strokes, she remained unbeaten on 101 from just 64 balls, smashing 17 boundaries and a six. Her innings combined elegance with controlled aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu provided the ideal platform with a sparkling 39 off 22 balls, adding 78 for the opening wicket before Nashra Sandhu broke the partnership. Although Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs, Dulani remained firmly in control, rotating the strike effectively before accelerating when it mattered most.

Kavisha Dilhari contributed 11 valuable runs, while Nilakshika Silva remained unbeaten on nine as Sri Lanka reached 177 for 4 in 19 overs, sealing victory with six balls to spare.

Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu finished with two wickets, but she could do little to halt Dulani’s memorable knock.