News
Wanindu Hasaranga suspended for two matches
Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I team, has been suspended for two international matches due to his accumulation of demerit points. This suspension comes after his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, for which he received a 50 percent fine and three demerit points. Hasaranga was found guilty of personal abuse towards a player, player support personnel, umpire, or match referee during an international match, which is a violation of article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct. As a result, his five demerit points have converted to two suspension points. Two suspension points lead to a ban from either one Test match or two ODIs or T20Is, whichever comes first for the player or player support personnel. Consequently, Hasaranga will be suspended for Sri Lanka’s first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month. The incident occurred after the match when Hasaranga confronted umpire Lyndon Hanibal to express his criticism of a decision. Additionally, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, an Afghanistan player, has also been penalized. He has been fined 15 percent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct in the same match. Rahmanullah was found to have disobeyed an umpire’s instruction during an international match, which is a violation of article 2.4 of the Code.
Furthermore, one demerit point has been added to Rahmanullah’s disciplinary record, as it was his second offense within a 24-month period, bringing his cumulative demerit points to two.
Rahmanullah was sanctioned for repeatedly changing the grip of his bat during the game, despite being warned not to do so. Both players acknowledged their wrongdoing and accepted the sanctions proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Consequently, formal hearings were deemed unnecessary. The charges were brought forth by on-field umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Raveendra Wimalasiri, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, and fourth umpire Ranmore Martinez. For Level 2 breaches, players face a penalty ranging from 50 to 100 percent of their match fee, along with three or four demerit points. On the other hand, Level 1 breaches result in a minimum punishment of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of the player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
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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