Kingswood College, Kandy, ended a 68-year wait with a historic triumph at the 119th Battle of the Maroons, defeating Dharmaraja College by 148 runs.

It was their first victory in the annual ‘Big Match’ since 1958, a moment that will be remembered as one of the school’s greatest cricketing achievements.

Kingswood set the tone with a first-innings total of 226 before dismissing Dharmaraja for 160 to secure a 66-run lead. In the second innings, a bold declaration at 248/4 left the Rajans chasing a steep target. The pressure proved too much, and Dharmaraja collapsed for 166, sealing Kingswood’s emphatic win.

The dominant performance brought the T.B. Tennakoon Trophy back to Randles Hill, ending nearly seven decades of anticipation and marking a new chapter in Kingswood’s cricketing legacy.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has vowed to enforce disciplinary measures against players who abandon the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the last minute to join the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the two tournaments overlapping for a second consecutive year, tensions are rising over player commitments.

Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka is the latest to withdraw, leaving Lahore Qalandars to join Rajasthan Royals as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran. Qalandars have named Australia’s Daniel Sams as Shanaka’s replacement. Earlier, Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani pulled out of the PSL after signing with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Naqvi made his stance clear:

“We will take action against those players according to the rules. There was a case last year too [Corbin Bosch, banned for one year], and the same thing will happen this time.”

Bosch, a diamond pick for Peshawar Zalmi, had switched late to Mumbai Indians in the IPL last season.

Despite the clash with the IPL, Naqvi insisted the PSL would not be rescheduled:

“Clashing with the IPL is not an issue because if players are going there, we’re getting excellent players coming here as well. We could not afford to postpone the PSL because we have no other window all year.”

Withdrawals and Scheduling Challenges

Several other players have also withdrawn from PSL 2026, including Gudakesh Motie, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ottneil Baartman, and Spencer Johnson, though most cited personal reasons.
The PSL is scheduled to begin on March 26, just two days before the IPL kicks off. Due to an ongoing oil crisis linked to the West Asia conflict, Naqvi confirmed the tournament will be played behind closed doors. Venues have also been reduced from six to two: Lahore and Karachi.

Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is expected to miss the opening matches of the IPL 2026 season, with his return likely only around mid-April. The update was confirmed by Abhishek Nayar, head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.

Pathirana has been sidelined due to a calf strain that also forced him out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year. The young pacer managed to feature in just three matches during the global tournament before suffering the injury. He was visibly in discomfort and had to be assisted off the field during Sri Lanka’s clash against Australia.

Currently undergoing rehabilitation, Pathirana’s recovery is being closely monitored, with team management keen to ensure he regains full fitness before returning to competitive cricket. His absence will be a setback for Kolkata Knight Riders, given his reputation as a specialist death-over bowler with a unique sling action.

The franchise is expected to manage his workload carefully once he rejoins the squad, especially with a long tournament ahead. Pathirana’s return in the latter half of the competition could prove crucial as teams push for playoff positions.

For now, both Sri Lanka and KKR will be focused on his complete recovery, with hopes that the talented speedster will soon be back delivering his trademark yorkers on the big stage.