News
Janith Liyanage the saviour for Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024
Janith Liyanage notched up his maiden half century to guide Sri Lanka to a nerve tingling 2 wickets win over Zimbabwe in the second One dayer worked off at R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo on Monday.
Having won the toss, Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine elected to bat first under gloomy conditions in Colombo.
However, it was the hosts who got off to a flyer when Dilshan Madushanka gave the early breakthrough when Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (00) were caught behind in the third ball of the innings.
Despite a early setback, Wicket-keeper batter Joylord Gumble was joined by skipper Craig Ervine and the duo stitched a 60-run stand to get their team out of trouble, before Maheesh Theekshana castled Gumble after scoring 30 runs off 36 balls.
After the breakthrough Milton Shumba joined skipper Craig and the duo cautiously batted until the 25th over engaging in another 50 runs stand.
However Sri Lanka were rewarded with the wicket of Shumba who walked back to the pavilion for 26 runs.
To make things worse for the boys in Red, they were stuck with another quick wicket that of their star batter Sikandar Raza who departed for just 1 run.
At one stage Zimbabwe were on course for a strong total but a middle order collapse saw
the visitors slipped to 182/5 when their mainstay Craig Ervine also walked back for a well played 82 runs.
With half of their batters back in the pavilion the Zimbabwe lower order fell like a pack of cards as they lost their last 6 wickets for just 26 runs before being all out for below par score of 208 runs.
Maheesh Theekshana who didnt have a good outing in the last year World Cup in India was back among wickets when he ended with figures of 4-31.
In reply, Sri Lanka batters once again failed to impress as none of their star batters were among runs apart from Janith Liyanage who played a lone cameo of 95 runs to drag thier team over the line.
When the chips were down with scoreboard reading at 6-112 Maheesh Theekshana joined Janith Liyanage in the middle to rescue Sri Lanka from a humiliating defeat. The duo added a 56-run stand for the 7th wicket.
With another less than 40 runs required Sri Lanka were stuck with few quick wickets including the all important wicket of Janith Liayange’s when the 28 year old attempted a lofted shot over mid-off but ended straight at the hands of Ricard Ngarava.
The equation being more tougher to the host, with all the recognized batters back in the pavilion Dusmantha Chameera (18) and Jeffery Vandery (19) launch a late strike as the duo took Sri Lanka home with 6 balls to spare.
In bowling front Richard Ngarava picked up his maiden ODI fifer while Sikandar Raza picked two wickets.
After the thrilling win Sri Lanka are currently leading the three match Series 1-0 with one more game left to play. The two sides will
Meet again on Thursday (11) for the final game and move to shorter format of the game (T20I’s) starting from 14th January.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 208 in 44.4 overs (Craig Ervine 82; Maheesh Theekshana 4-31) lost to Sri Lanka 211/8 in 49 overs (Janith Liyanage 95; Richard Ngarava 5-32) by two wickets.
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
-
Live4 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Football4 months agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Cricket2 weeks agoNuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
-
Football5 months agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
News4 months ago2025 Schools Rugby Season Set to Thrill Fans with Knockout and League Action
-
News4 years agoWe are Back
-
Football4 months agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
Football5 months agoErling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City