News
After five consecutive losses, Sri Lanka is back to winning ways at Netball World Cup
The Asian Champions, Sri Lanka finally earned their first win at the ongoing Netball World Cup when they edge a strong Barbados outfit on Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa.
Coming into the match Sri Lanka was desperately looking for a win after 5 consecutive defeats while their opponents who have already secured their spot in the 13th/14th playoff looked to continue their domination in the tournament.
However coming into the match, Barbodas lasses were seen not playing with the same intensity they showed in their last outings but managed to put up a good fight to end the first break on 15-15.
Into the second quarter, Sri Lanka changed gears and played switched to aggressive mode as they started the second quarter with scoring 5 back-to-back goals to put pressure on the opponents.
Sri Lanka’s dominance in the second quarter forced Barbados’s coach to introduce their experience Sasha Corbin at wing attack and the move of her sister, Kadeen, who previously won Commonwealth Games gold with England, from goal, shooter to goal attack for Barbados.
But their tactics didn’t favour them as they remained four goals behind at halftime.
Into the second half, Barbados finally found their rhythm and scored a few back-to-back goals to narrow the deficit and surged ahead to win the third quarter by 22 goals to 12.
Heading into the all-important fourth and final quarter, Sri Lanka showed they never give up attitude and out on an improved performance in the dying moments to stage a comeback and claim a memorable 60-56 win.
The win also re-wrote history as Sri Lanka’s first time in 20 years that the Sri Lankans have beaten anyone other than Singapore at the Netball World Cup.
Despite the only victory, overall Sri Lanka had a poor outing in this year’s championship which they lost all their previous (5) matches including the game against their Asian counterparts Singapore.
Interestingly this year’s Netball world cup will mark the tallest netballer in the world and Sri Lanka’s netball backbone, Tharjini Sivalingam’s last appearance on an international stage where she is set to retire from the game following the world cup which is yet to announce officially.
*Sri Lanka’s performance so far in the tournament *
JAMAICA 105-25 SRI LANKA
Jamaica got their tournament off to a storming start, notching up a formidable 105-point total in their opening Group C match against Sri Lanka.
SOUTH AFRICA 87-32 SRI LANKA
Ruthless host South Africa romp to a commanding win over Sri Lanka to make it two-in-two at the Netball World in their second game of Pool C encounter.
WALES 68-52 SRI LANKA
Into the third game though Asian Champions Sri Lanka put on an improved performance but ended in the losing side against Wales.
SINGAPORE 55-52 SRI LANKA
A disciplined Singapore side defeated their Asian rivals Sri Lanka 52-55 to make matters worse for the Lankans.
ZIMBABWE 71-36 SRI LANKA
Zimbabwe had no problem in sweeping past Sri Lanka in a Group E match.
Cricket
Navin Dissanayake Concedes Error Over 2015 Sri Lanka Cricket Election
Former Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake has admitted that his decision in 2015 to cancel the Sri Lanka Cricket elections and appoint an Interim Committee was a serious mistake. The move, which blocked Nishantha Ranatunga from becoming president, has long been debated in cricketing circles, and Dissanayake’s recent reflection has reignited discussion about missed opportunities in the sport’s governance.
In a candid post on X, Dissanayake acknowledged that he should have supported Ranatunga, who served as SLC Secretary from 2009 to 2015. That period is widely regarded as one of the most successful eras in Sri Lankan cricket, with the national team reaching multiple finals and securing major titles. “In hindsight I should have backed Nishantha and ensured he won the election without problems with the ICC,” Dissanayake wrote, admitting regret over his decision. He revealed that despite warnings from advisors that the International Cricket Council would not approve an Interim Committee, he went ahead with the appointment, leading to two years of negotiations over reforms. He also pointed to political interference at the time, saying the environment did not allow him to support Ranatunga’s election.
Ranatunga’s tenure as Secretary coincided with a golden run for Sri Lanka. Between 2009 and 2015, the team reached the finals of the 2009 T20 World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2012 T20 World Cup, before finally clinching the 2014 T20 World Cup and the 2014 Asia Cup. Serving under presidents DS de Silva, Upali Dharmadasa, and Jayantha Dharmadasa, Ranatunga was credited with a steady and effective administrative role that helped guide the team through this remarkable period.
Dissanayake’s admission comes at a time when Sri Lankan cricket is once again under scrutiny, following a disastrous campaign at the ongoing T20 World Cup. His remarks have reopened old wounds and revived questions about what might have been had Ranatunga been elected in 2015. With the sport facing another crossroads, the former minister’s reflection underscores the long-standing challenges of governance and political interference in cricket administration, and the lingering sense of opportunities lost.
Cricket
Hasini’s Half-Century Powers Sri Lanka Women to Historic Series Win in the Caribbean
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
Cricket
Rising Middle East Tensions Cast Doubt on Sri Lanka–Afghanistan Series in UAE
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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