News
Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka for the first time in T20I’s
Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka (2nd T20I)
Zimbabwe scirpted history when they edge Sri Lanka by a thrilling 4 wicket in the second T20I worked off at R.Premadasa stadium, Colombo on Tuesday (16).
The win also registered as the first victory for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in T20I’s.
After being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a decent score of 173/6 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to half-centuries from Charith Asalanka and Angelo Mathews. In reply, Zimbabwe chased down the target in 19.5 overs and levelled the three-match series 1-1.
Earlier Sri Lanka’s one of major concern their top order once again failed to deliver as they were reduced to 26-4 in 4.4 overs.
The host commenced there innings in the worst possible way when they lost Pathum Nissanka (1) in the second over of the day.
Nissanka was followed by three more wickets that of Kusal Perera (0), Kusal Mendis (4) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (16) to put Sri Lanka in some sort of trouble.
However when the chips were down, Charith Asalanka along with experience campaigner Angelo Mathews turn things around as the duo engaged in a massive 118-run stand off 79 balls for the fifth wicket.
Charith Asalanka led the charge from the front with a blistering knock of 69 runs until Luke Jongwe gave the breakthrough to send the left hander back to the pavilion.
With the damage already done former skipper Dasun Shanaka arrived at the crease and score quick 9 runs including two boundaries to entertain the crowd.
However the former skipper bit the dust when he skied one straight to Ryan Burl who was at mid off.
Despite two quick wickets Angelo Mathews launched a late surge with back to back boundaries as he went onto score 66 runs off 51 deliveries and guiding his team to a decent score of 173-6 in their allotted 20 overs.
During the chase it was the same scenario for Visitors as well wehere their top order failed to click.
Despite wickets falling at one end Craig Ervine kept Zimbabwe in the hunt, top scoring with 70 runs off 54 balls with six fours and two sixes.
At the half way mark Zimbabwe revived their innings to a certain extent but their saviour Craig Ervine bit the dust when Wanindu Hasaranga delivered to send Ervin back to the pavilion after he was caught near the boundary line.
Visitors reeling at 143-6 after 18 overs required to maintain at-least 15 runs per over to end on the winning side.
They required 30 runs from the last two overs, which turned into 20 off the final over.
Angelo Mathews was given the ball in the last over with Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande but the veteran failed to live to the expectations as Zimbabwe did the unthinkable in style.
It was a day to forget for Angelo Mathews as Jongwe smashed the first ball of the final over for six over long-on — and Mathews had overstepped as well, so the equation came down to 13 off six balls.
Next, Jongwe managed a boundary off the free hit, before smashing a six off the next delivery — making it three runs required off four balls.
Mathews managed a dot ball next. Then, to make matters worse, Jongwe was dropped off the next delivery and the batters completed a single.
Clive Madande was on strike for the penultimate ball, and as Mathews missed the yorker, he swept it for six to finish the match in style.
It also should be mentioned that the host were sloppy in the field, dropping a couple of catches as well.
With the three match series now levelled at 1-1 the decider will be played on Thursday at the same venue.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 173/6 in 20 overs (Charith Asalanka 69, Angelo Mathews 66*; Richard Ngarava 1-30, Blessing Muzarabani 2-36, Luke Jongwe 2-32, Wellington Masakadza 1-25)
Zimbabwe 178/6 in 19.5 overs (Craig Ervine 70, Brian Benett 25, Luke Jongwe 25*; Dilshan Madushanka 1-24, Maheesh Theekshana 2-25, Dushmantha Chameera 2-30, Wanidu Hasaranga 1-31)
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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