News
Charith Asalanka ton in vain after first ODI washed out
Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024
Charith Asalanka smashed a lone innings to rescue Sri Lanka from what meant to be another horrible batting performance before rain interrupted and later called off in the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday.
A new year-new hopes but for Sri Lanka batters it was the same old story where there poor batting display were once again witnessed with half of the top order batters departing cheaply.
Earlier after winning the toss and opting to bat first Sri Lanka were off to a horrible start when there opener Avishka Fernando who marked his return to international cricket after almost 1 year departed for a duck to put some early pressure.
Despite the early breakthrough skipper Kusal and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 63 runs for the second wicket to keep Sri Lanka ahead in the game. But the settled duo were dismissed after scoring 40-plus each as Sri Lanka failed to find stability in the middle overs.
A steady partnership between Mendis and debutant Janith Liyanage also strengthened Sri Lanka’s batting card but from there onwards it was the old ugly story for Sri Lanka batters as they were reduced from 4-125 to 6-208.
The likes of former skipper Dasun Shanaka (8), Sahan Arachige (10) struggled to make an impact which cost Sri Lanka to go big in the death overs.
However when the chips were down, the lone warrior Charith Asalanka’s performance, featuring nine boundaries, served as the backbone of the team’s innings. His third ODI hundred played a pivotal role in enabling Sri Lanka to post a formidable total by the end of their allotted overs.
Asalanka top-scored with 101 runs off 95 balls while Medis was the second-highest run-getter with 46 runs.
In reply, Sri Lanka were off to a flyer when Dilshan Madushanka ripped through Zimbabwe top order reduceing them to 2-12 in first 3 overs.
However unfortunately the match was halted after the fourth over of the Zimbabwe innings due to rain and subsequently called off with the vistors at 12 for 2.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 273/9 in 50 overs (Charith Asalanka 101, Kusal Mendis 46; Richard Ngarava 2-39) vs Zimbabwe 12/2 in 4 overs (Dilshan Madushanka 2-0) – Match abandoned.
Football
Sri Lanka Shocks 166th-Ranked Chinese Taipei with 3-1 Victory in AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier
Date: June 10, 2025
Venue: Race Course, Colombo
Tournament: AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers – Group D
Final Score: Sri Lanka 3 – 1 Chinese Taipei
FIFA Rankings: Chinese Taipei – 166 | Sri Lanka – 200
In a stunning upset, Sri Lanka’s national football team defeated Chinese Taipei 3-1 in their AFC Asian Cup 2026 Group D qualifier held on June 10. The performance not only earned Sri Lanka three crucial points but also reaffirmed their ability to compete with higher-ranked opponents on the international stage.
Goal-Scorers:
- Adhavan Rajamohan – 48’
- Dillon De Silva – 52’
- Waseem Razeek – 57’
After a goalless first half, Sri Lanka came out with renewed energy and dominated early in the second half, scoring three goals within just 10 minutes, completely overturning the momentum.
🔍 Ranking Impact:
- Sri Lanka: 200th → +0.97 points
- Chinese Taipei: 166th → –10.71 points
The win came despite a major ranking gap, showcasing Sri Lanka’s growing confidence and improved tactical discipline under pressure.
🏆 Match Summary:
| Minute | Scorer | Team | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48’ | Adhavan Rajamohan | Sri Lanka | Open Play |
| 52’ | Dillon De Silva | Sri Lanka | Counter Attack |
| 57’ | Waseem Razeek | Sri Lanka | Set Piece |
| 69′ | Chinese Taipei | 1 Goal | (Details TBD) |
Sri Lanka’s national football team returns to action today in a much-anticipated clash against Chinese Taipei in an international friendly that has all the makings of a tense tactical battle. With a strong recent run, bolstered by foreign-based Sri Lankan-origin players, the Lions are beginning to roar again on the international stage.
Head-to-Head Record
Sri Lanka remains unbeaten against Chinese Taipei in previous AFC competitions:
- 2009 AFC Challenge Cup: Sri Lanka 2 – 1 Chinese Taipei
- 2008 AFC Challenge Cup: Sri Lanka 2 – 2 Chinese Taipei
Despite the long gap since their last encounter, these results offer Sri Lanka a psychological edge heading into today’s game.
Sri Lanka’s Recent Form – Powered by Diaspora Talent
| Date | Opponent | Result | HT Score | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/06/05 | Brunei Darussalam | 1 – 0 W | 0 – 0 | Disciplined effort |
| 2025/03/25 | Thailand | 0 – 1 L | 0 – 1 | Strong resistance |
| 2025/03/20 | Laos | 2 – 1 W | 1 – 0 | Clinical finish |
| 2024/11/19 | Yemen | 0 – 2 L | 0 – 1 | Struggled |
| 2024/11/16 | Yemen | 1 – 0 W | 0 – 0 | Compact & patient |
Wins: 3 | ❌ Losses: 2
Goals Scored: 4 | ❌ Goals Conceded: 4
Clean Sheets: 2
Foreign-Based Talent Changing the Game
Sri Lanka’s improvement is largely attributed to the inclusion of Sri Lankan-origin players based overseas, with 10 out of 11 starters in recent matches hailing from professional leagues abroad – particularly from Europe and Australia. These players have brought:
- Higher tactical intelligence
- Greater fitness and pace
- Improved defensive structure
Their presence has elevated the team’s gameplay from regional underdogs to serious competitors. Players like Dilon De Silva, Claudio Mathias, and Oliver kellart have been instrumental in controlling midfield and backline transitions.
Chinese Taipei’s Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | Result | HT Score | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/03/25 | Turkmenistan | 1 – 2 L | 0 – 0 | Lost rhythm late |
| 2024/12/14 | Hong Kong | 1 – 2 L | 1 – 1 | Leaky defense |
| 2024/12/11 | Mongolia | 4 – 0 W | 1 – 0 | Dominant display |
| 2024/11/18 | Singapore | 3 – 2 W | 1 – 0 | Free-flowing attack |
| 2024/10/11 | Cambodia | 2 – 3 L | 1 – 0 | Defensive collapse |
Wins: 2 | ❌ Losses: 3
Goals Scored: 11 | ❌ Goals Conceded: 9
While Taipei have been prolific going forward, their defense has consistently crumbled under pressure — something Sri Lanka’s high-press strategy may exploit.
FIFA Rankings Snapshot (April 2025)
| Rank | Team | Points | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 166 | Chinese Taipei | 979.85 | ▼ -10.71 |
| 200 | Sri Lanka | 833.77 | ▲ +0.97 |
Although ranked 34 places lower, Sri Lanka is the side on the rise. The current trend suggests a closing gap between the two nations.
Match Insights
- Form Turnaround: Sri Lanka has won 3 of its last 5, thanks to overseas reinforcements.
- Taipei’s Vulnerability: Conceded 9 goals in 5 games – major defensive frailty.
- Diaspora Impact: Sri Lanka fielded 10/11 foreign-based players in their latest win.
- Slow First Halves: Both teams often start slow – expect a tactical first half.
Prediction & Final Word
With the quality injected by Sri Lankan-origin professionals and tactical cohesion developing, Sri Lanka appears poised to maintain its unbeaten record against Chinese Taipei.
Prediction: Sri Lanka 2 – 1 Chinese Taipei
Man to Watch: Dilon De Silva – winger brings flair, speed, and vision to Sri Lanka’s left flank.
📺 Catch all the action, post-match reactions, and behind-the-scenes content exclusively on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Cricket
KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout
In a tragic turn of events following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 title win, a deadly stampede at the celebratory event held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured several others. The aftermath has sparked controversy and accountability issues, leading to major resignations and legal action.
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned on Friday, citing “moral responsibility” for the incident. Their resignations were submitted to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, as questions mount over mismanagement and negligence at the overcrowded venue.
The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR listing RCB, DNA Entertainment (event partner), and KSCA as accused parties. Police confirmed that the event had not been granted official permission. In a swift move, Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s head of marketing and revenue, was arrested—raising further scrutiny over organizational lapses.
KSCA has filed a writ petition calling the FIR a “knee-jerk” reaction under political pressure. They argued that crowd control and gate management were the responsibilities of RCB and the event organizers, not KSCA.
RCB has announced INR 10 lakh compensation for each victim and committed to covering all medical expenses of the injured. However, the franchise has yet to make a comprehensive public statement.
This incident raises serious concerns about sports event management and safety standards, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a moment of celebration in Indian cricket
Sri Lanka Shocks 166th-Ranked Chinese Taipei with 3-1 Victory in AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifier
Match Preview: Reinforced Sri Lanka Take On Chinese Taipei in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout
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