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Sri Lanka too good for Bangladesh

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Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh 2024 (Second Test)

Sri Lanka secured a dominant win over Bangladesh in the second Test match, claiming a convincing 192-run victory to complete the series sweep 2-0 in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Lahiru Kumara, the fast bowler, was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, taking 4-50 and dismissing the final batsman, Khaled Ahmed, to secure the win for his team before lunch on the fifth day.

Bangladesh, facing a challenging target of 511 runs in their second innings, struggled and could only add 50 runs to their overnight score of 268-7.

Despite Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s brave effort with an unbeaten 81, Bangladesh fell to Sri Lanka’s strong bowling attack. Mehidy reached his fifty off 68 balls with some aggressive strokes, but the dismissal of Taijul Islam for 14 further diminished Bangladesh’s chances of a comeback.

Kamindu Mendis, who excelled with the bat in the first innings with an unbeaten 92, was named the Man of the Match for his all-round performance and also received the Player of the Series award for his centuries in both innings of the first Test.

The Sri Lankan fast bowlers were in complete control throughout the proceedings, taking a staggering 33 out of the 40 wickets that fell for Bangladesh. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering the traditionally spin-friendly pitches in Bangladesh.

Earlier In the second innings, Angelo Mathews (56) emerged as the highest scorer, while his partnership of 43 runs with Prabath Jayasuriya provided some respite to the team.

However, due to the substantial lead of 353 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka never faced any significant pressure. Eventually, they declared at 157-7, leaving Bangladesh with a colossal target of 511 runs.

Although the hosts displayed a stronger resistance in the fourth innings, several batsmen failed to capitalize on their starts, resulting in wasted opportunities.

Reflecting on the victory of Sri Lanka, captain Dhananjaya de Silva commended the collective effort of his team. He mentioned that the bowlers executed their basics effectively on this pitch, while the batters also fulfilled their responsibilities.

“The bowlers did their basics on this wicket and the batters did their job as well. The batters were a bit disappointed about not getting runs in the first Test, but we have experienced players. I was confident they would get runs. There wasn’t a lot of spin on offer. So I thought about reverse swing as a way to get wickets. The pacers were really on the spot.”

Meanwhile Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto conveyed his dissatisfaction with his team’s batting displays and stressed the importance of self-reflection.

“Our batting performances have been lacking in converting good starts into substantial scores. This is a matter that requires careful consideration. It is crucial that when a player gets settled, they capitalize on it by scoring big. Engaging in more first-class cricket is essential for our improvement,” he remarked.

This was Sri Lanka’s last international series ahead of the T20I world cup 2024 in June.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 531 and 157-7 decl. (Angelo Mathews 56; Hasan Mahmud 4-65) beat Bangladesh178 and 318 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 81, Mominul Haque 50; Lahiru Kumara 4-50) by 192 runs

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Hasini’s Half-Century Powers Sri Lanka Women to Historic Series Win in the Caribbean

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Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team scripted history on Tuesday night by clinching their first-ever T20 series win in the Caribbean, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with a commanding nine-wicket victory over West Indies women’s national cricket team at St. George’s.

After the opening match was washed out, Sri Lanka seized control by winning the second T20. Their emphatic performance in the decider capped off a memorable tour, having already secured the ODI series 2-1.

Disciplined Bowling Effort

Batting first, West Indies Women posted 119/5 in their 20 overs. A fluent 32 off 15 balls from Chinelle Henry provided early momentum, while Deandra Dottin (28) and Stafanie Taylor (24) attempted to stabilise the innings.

However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained tight control. Inoka Ranaweera was outstanding with figures of 2/16, while Sugandika Kumari supported with two wickets. Kavisha Dilhari also chipped in with a tidy spell.

Composed Chase Seals the Series

Chasing 120, Sri Lanka’s batting unit delivered with confidence and composure. Captain Chamari Athapaththu set the tone with a brisk 32 off 22 balls, striking five boundaries to put the visitors ahead of the required rate.

Following her dismissal, Hasini Perera anchored the innings superbly, crafting an unbeaten 52 from 59 deliveries. She was well supported by Imesha Dulani, who struck an aggressive 34 off 25 balls, guiding Sri Lanka to 121/1 in 17.4 overs.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka Women, underlining their growing confidence and consistency on the international stage.

Brief Scores

West Indies Women – 119/5 (20 overs)
Chinelle Henry 32* (15), Deandra Dottin 28 (39), Stafanie Taylor 24 (39)
Inoka Ranaweera 2/16, Sugandika Kumari 2/32, Kavisha Dilhari 1/13

Sri Lanka Women – 121/1 (17.4 overs)
Hasini Perera 52* (59), Imesha Dulani 34* (25), Chamari Athapaththu 32 (22)
Afy Fletcher 1/14

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Rising Middle East Tensions Cast Doubt on Sri Lanka–Afghanistan Series in UAE

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Sri Lanka’s upcoming white-ball series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates is facing uncertainty amid escalating tensions in parts of the Middle East.

The tour, scheduled from March 13 to 25, includes three T20 Internationals in Sharjah and three One Day Internationals in Dubai. However, growing regional instability has raised concerns over security, travel logistics, and overall feasibility.

Recent developments in the region have prompted several airlines to suspend or adjust services near key transport corridors, creating additional challenges for team travel and operational planning.

Sri Lanka Cricket is understood to be closely monitoring the evolving situation, with player and staff safety remaining the top priority. Should conditions fail to stabilize, the board may be compelled to reconsider or postpone the tour. Afghanistan could also encounter logistical difficulties under the current circumstances.

The series was viewed as important preparation for both teams ahead of a demanding international schedule. Sri Lanka were expected to assess emerging talent in white-ball formats, while Afghanistan aimed to consolidate momentum from recent performances.

With regional tensions continuing to unfold, a final decision regarding the series is anticipated in the coming days. Until then, the tour remains uncertain, highlighting how external factors can impact the international cricket calendar.

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Jonathan Trott to replace Sanath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka Head Coach?

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Jonathan Trott, the former England batter who recently concluded his tenure as Afghanistan’s head coach, has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Sanath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka’s national head coach, it is learnt.

Jayasuriya had earlier indicated his intention to step down, prompting Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to initiate the process of identifying a successor. However, an official announcement regarding the transition has yet to be made.

Trott’s name has quickly moved to the forefront of discussions, with his recent international coaching experience viewed as a valuable asset during what is expected to be a rebuilding phase for Sri Lanka. In the interim, SLC is considering appointing a temporary coach to oversee the upcoming Afghanistan series while deliberations continue.

The push for change follows Sri Lanka’s disappointing campaign at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted with India, where the team failed to secure a win in the Super 8 stage. The result has intensified calls for structural and strategic adjustments within both the playing group and support staff.

Despite the anticipated changes in the coaching setup, selectors are expected to retain Dasun Shanaka as T20 captain, indicating continued confidence in his leadership moving forward.

While no formal decision has been confirmed, Trott’s emergence as the frontrunner signals that Sri Lanka Cricket may be preparing for a new direction as the national team looks to regroup and rebuild.

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