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Autokitz Cricket Club in a thrilling 15-run win against Royal Masters.

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The newly formed Autokitz Cricket Club registered a thrilling 15-run win over Royal Masters in a 25 overs Cricket encounter, played at the Royal College turf Cricket ground, Colombo- 07 recently.

Autokitz Cricket Club batting first, lost their opening batter with the score at zero on board and wickets falling at regular intervals, they were 7 wickets down for 74 runs at one stage with Janith Jayasinghe, Ishan Perera and Isurunath Dissanayake contributing with double figures. Danushka Gajanayake scored 16 runs including 2 fours and a six and Geeshan Ayeshana scoring 24 runs including 3 fours and a six got the board ticking with useful knocks. Milan Maduwantha played a solid innings stroking 34 runs not out in 28 balls including 3 sixes and a four and well supported by Shahen Rodrigo took them to a challenging total. Rasika Peiris and Senaka Senarathne claiming 3 wickets each and Sisila Indraratne, Nuwan Perera and Lasantha Perera claiming 1 wicket each were the pick of the bowlers.

Royal Masters in reply, lost their first wicket at 10 runs on board, Shezard Nizar stroking a gallant 42 runs in 47 balls including 5 fours together with Faizal Yousuf also playing a magnificent inning scoring 42 runs 47 balls including 2 fours and 2 sixes, the pair together added 92 runs for 2nd wicket and a useful knock of 21 runs in 22 balls including 3 fours by Lasantha Perera put them to a commanding position. With the dismissal of these 3 batters, Autokitz Cricket Club bowlers, Lakshman Rodrigo, Hasika Chameera, Ishan Perera and Geeshan Ayeshana bowling with a tidy line and length, captured 4 more vital wickets, Isurunath Dissanayake taking a well-judged catch, Dhanushka Gajanayake taking 2 extra ordinary catches and wicket keeper, Dhanushka Hannadige dismissing a Royal Masters batter with a fine run out, slowed the run rate and turned the match in favour of Autokitz Cricket Club to win by 15 runs. Geeshan Ayeshana with an excellent all-round performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

Scores

Autokitz Cricket Club 166/9 in 25 overs

Janith Jayasinghe 12, Ishan Perera 33, Isurunath Dissanayake 10, Geeshsn Ayeshana 24, Dhanushka Gajanayake 16, Milan Maduwantha 34 not out, Rasika Peiris 3/12, Senaka Senarathne 3/34

Royal Masters – 151/7 in 25 overs

Shezard Nizar 42, Faizal Yousuf 42, Lasantha Perera 21, Hasika Chameera 2/17, Geeshan Ayeshana 2/29

Caption

The winning Autokitz Cricket Club team

Cricket

KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout

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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

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Football

Asia Leads the Charge as 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Begin to Take Shape

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The road to the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup is gaining momentum, and Asia is already making its mark on football’s grandest stage. With an expanded format featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition promises to be the most inclusive and diverse yet — and Asia is stepping up early.

🇯🇵 Japan Sets the Benchmark for Asia

Japan was the first nation worldwide to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring their dominance in Asian football. Unbeaten in their qualifying campaign with six wins and one draw, the Samurai Blue continue to be the standard-bearers for the continent.

🇮🇷 Iran Continues Consistent Form

Iran soon followed Japan, securing their seventh overall World Cup appearance and fourth consecutive berth. The team remained undefeated in their group, showcasing the experience and tactical depth that has made them a fixture on the world stage.

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan Makes Historic Debut

In one of the most emotional stories of the qualifiers so far, Uzbekistan qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. A gritty 0-0 draw against the UAE was enough for the Central Asian side to clinch a spot, sparking nationwide celebrations. Their rise highlights the growing strength of second-tier Asian nations on the global stage.

Asia’s Presence Grows in 2026 Format

Asia is guaranteed eight slots in the 2026 World Cup — a significant jump from previous editions — allowing the region to showcase more talent, depth, and emerging football powerhouses. With teams like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Australia still in the hunt, the continent could make a serious impact come 2026.

Global Context

The tournament’s expanded format and host countries in North America mark a new era for international football. With 104 matches, 16 host cities, and an increased number of participants, it will be a celebration of global diversity — and Asian nations are ready to shine.

Countries Qualified So Far

  • Asia: 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
  • Oceania: 🇳🇿 New Zealand
  • South America: 🇦🇷 Argentina

(Additional qualifiers from other confederations are ongoing.)

As the countdown to 2026 begins, all eyes are on Asia’s rising stars — ready to challenge the world and redefine the future of football.

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Cricket

Sachithra Senanayake Indicted in Landmark Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Law

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Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been formally indicted before the Hambantota High Court, marking a historic first in Sri Lanka’s efforts to criminalize corruption in sports. The charges stem from an alleged match-fixing attempt during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL), making Senanayake the first player to face prosecution under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.

Senanayake, currently out on bail, is accused of attempting to influence Colombo Kings player Tharindu Ratnayake to underperform during the tournament. The incident reportedly occurred via a WhatsApp message, which was later flagged by a local anti-corruption officer, prompting an official investigation in 2020.

The case falls under the landmark legislation introduced in 2019 by then Sports Minister Harin Fernando, which criminalizes match-fixing and related offenses in the country. If convicted, Senanayake could face a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine reaching Rs. 100 million, or both.

The indictment signals a serious shift in Sri Lanka’s approach to tackling corruption in sports. Authorities hope this high-profile case will serve as a strong deterrent against similar offenses in the future.

Senanayake, once a celebrated off-spinner and a member of Sri Lanka’s victorious 2014 ICC T20 World Cup squad, now faces the grim prospect of being remembered not for his achievements on the field, but for his role in one of Sri Lanka’s most significant match-fixing scandals.

As the case unfolds, it casts a spotlight on the broader issue of corruption in sports and reinforces the urgent need for integrity, vigilance, and transparent governance across all levels of competition in Sri Lanka

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