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Afghanistan edge Sri Lanka despite last over no-ball drama

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Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka (Third T20I)

Afghanistan edge Sri Lanka by 3 runs, securing a consolation win in the 3rd T20I held in Dambulla on Wednesday (21).

Unfortunately for the hosts, they were unable to achieve a clean sweep, which must have been disappointing for them.

Despite already losing the series, the Afghan team entered the match with a fearless attitude. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai provided a brilliant start for the visitors, forming a partnership of 88 runs for the opening wicket in just 7.2 overs.

Zazai departed after scoring a quickfire 45 off 22 deliveries, but Gurbaz continued his impressive performance, contributing 70 runs off 43 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six. Thanks to their strong opening stand, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 209 for 5 on the scoreboard.

Azmatullah Omarzai added 31 runs off 23 balls, while Mohammad Ishaq played a crucial unbeaten cameo of 16 runs. Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana and Akila Dananjaya managed to take 2 wickets each, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Afghanistan’s victory.

Sri Lanka had a strong start to their run-chase with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis forming a solid opening partnership of 64 runs. Nissanka was the main contributor, scoring 60 runs off 30 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

However, after Nissanka had to retire hurt, Sri Lanka faced some difficulties. Sadeera Samarawickrama and skipper Wanindu Hasaranga scored 23 and 13 runs respectively before being dismissed.

Despite Kamindu Mendis’ valiant effort to bring the target down to 10 off the last 2 balls, Sri Lanka fell short of victory. Mendis remained not out on 65 runs off 39 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.

The most disputed moment of the match unfolded on the fourth delivery of the last over. Wafadar Momand bowled a full toss, prompting Mendis to move out of the crease as the ball sailed past his shoulders. Despite Mendis’ plea for a no-ball, the umpire did not acknowledge it, leading to Sri Lanka not adding any runs. While the no-ball controversy influenced Sri Lanka’s loss, the subpar showings from the middle order were equally instrumental in their downfall.

Mohammad Nabi stood out among the Afghan bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-0-35-2. Gurbaz was awarded the Player of the Match for his impressive performance at the top of the order.

Brief Score: Afghanistan 209/5 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 70, Hazratullah Zazai 45; Hazratullah Zazai 2-37) vs Sri Lanka 206/6 (Pathum Nissanka retired hurt 60, Kamindu Mendis 65*; Mohammad Nabi 2-35).

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Shammi Silva Re-Elected as Sri Lanka Cricket President for Fourth Consecutive Term

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Shammi Silva has been re-elected as the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president for the 2025-27 term, marking his fourth consecutive tenure at the helm of the nation’s cricket governing body. Silva secured the position uncontested at the 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Colombo on Monday.

A Controversial Yet Dominant Tenure

Silva’s leadership has not been without controversy. His previous term saw a high-profile clash with former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in 2023, which led to an interim committee being appointed after Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the ICC ODI World Cup. This move resulted in ICC suspending SLC, which led to Sri Lanka losing the hosting rights for the U19 Men’s World Cup, which was later held in South Africa.

Despite these setbacks, Silva regained control after a court ruling reinstated his administration, and he was later appointed as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in December 2023, replacing Jay Shah.

Challenges & Future Outlook

Sri Lanka Cricket has long been seen as a powerful and influential body, with internal politics often shaping its leadership. With financial mismanagement concerns highlighted in the Auditor General’s report, Silva’s administration faces the challenge of restoring credibility and ensuring better governance.

With the ICC ban lifted, Sri Lanka looks to rebuild its cricketing structure and improve performance on the international stage. The focus now shifts to upcoming bilateral series, the Asia Cup, and preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka Cricket and the latest in the world of sports!

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Stephen Fleming Defends MS Dhoni’s Batting Position Amid Criticism

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has defended MS Dhoni’s late entry in the batting order, stating that the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman cannot play an extended innings at full intensity due to lingering knee concerns.

The 43-year-old Dhoni faced criticism after coming in at No. 9 during CSK’s 50-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. In the next match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, 2025, he batted at No. 7 when CSK required 54 off 25 balls but managed just 16 off 11 as his team fell short by six runs.

Fleming’s Explanation on Dhoni’s Role

Fleming emphasized that Dhoni carefully assesses the match situation before deciding when to bat.

“It’s all about timing. MS judges his body and situation. His knees aren’t what they used to be, so he can’t bat for 10 overs at full intensity. He will step in based on the game’s demands,” Fleming explained at the post-match press conference.

The CSK coach reiterated that Dhoni remains too valuable to the team for his leadership and wicketkeeping and that sending him in too early could be a strategic misstep.

“From around the 13th or 14th over, he assesses the situation and decides. He trusts other batters early on but steps up when needed.”

CSK’s Struggles in the Powerplay Cost Them the Match

Fleming also pinpointed CSK’s poor powerplay performance as a key reason for their loss against Rajasthan Royals. While RR blasted 79/1 in the powerplay, CSK only managed 42/1,

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Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry

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Cricket enthusiasts in Mirigama and Giriulla are in for an exciting showdown as D.S. Senanayake College, Mirigama, and Wickramshila National School, Giriulla, prepare to launch their first-ever “Battle of Green” big match.

This historic encounter will take place at the Mirigama Public Grounds, marking the beginning of a thrilling annual rivalry between the two schools. Fans from both towns are expected to gather in large numbers, adding to the electric atmosphere of this inaugural clash.

The introduction of the Battle of Green is a significant milestone for school cricket in the region, providing a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent while fostering sportsmanship and competitive spirit.

Stay tuned for match updates, player insights, and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.

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