News
Chamari led Sri Lanka creates history in South Africa
Sri Lanka Women’s tour of South Africa 2024 (Third T20I)
Sri Lanka Women’s team made history by defeating South Africa Women’s by four wickets and winning the three-match T20I series 2-1 at Buffalo Park in East London on Wednesday (3).
The win also marked as the the first time that Sri Lanka have beaten South Africa in a limited over series.
The home team batted first and scored 155 for six, but the visitors successfully chased down the target by finishing on 156 for six, marking the highest successful run chase in a T20I at Buffalo Park.
Chamari Athapathtu, the captain of Sri Lanka, was the top-scorer with 73 runs. Her partnership of 97 runs for the second wicket with Harshita Samarawickrama set the stage for the victory.
Earlier Sri Lanka were off to a shaky, following Nonkululeko Mlaba’s early breakthrough in the second over, as Wolvaardt executed a running catch to dismiss inform Vishmi Gunaratne for one (3b).
Following a early set back Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama then stabilized the innings, scoring briskly in an effort to achieve the highest successful run chase in a T20I at Buffalo Park.
Their 50-run partnership (35 balls) was reached in the seventh over. In the process Athapaththu reached her ninth T20I half-century, her third against South Africa, with a massive six in the tenth over.
The second wicket partnership (97 runs) was eventually broken at 102 when Marizanne Kapp bowled Athapathtu for 73 off just 46 deliveries (7×4, 5×6). Sri Lanka suffered their third wicket loss ten runs later as Kavisha Dilhari was dismissed for one, caught by De Klerk off the bowling of Eliz-Mari Marx. With five overs remaining, Sri Lanka needed 35 runs to secure victory.
Hasini Perera (10) was dismissed by Tumi Sekhukhune, claiming the fourth Sri Lankan wicket to reduce the visitors for 136-4.
With 19 runs required in the last two overs, Sri Lanka were struck with another wicket when Nilakshika Silva (12) was bowled by De Klerk. To make things worse for the Lankans De Klerk uprooted the wickets of Anuskhka Sanjeewani in the very next ball to keep the game wide open.
However despite a late drama experienced campaigner Harahitha Samarawickrama stood firm and make sure no further hiccups as she took her team over the line with 5 balls to spare.
Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 54 runs off 43 balls, including 4 boundaries and 1 six.
Earlier batting first, South Africa had a decent start with a partnership of 37 runs for the first wicket between Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits.
Brits was dismissed by Sugandika Kumari after scoring 7 runs off 9 balls with 1 boundary. The Proteas lost their second wicket at a score of 51 when Kapp was caught and bowled by Udeshika Prabodhani, scoring 8 runs off 5 balls with 2 boundaries.
Following the breakthrough South Africa witnessed a middle order collapse as they lost wickets in crucial juncture of the game.
However, a quick fire of 25 ball 44 runs from the bat of Nadine de Klerk steadied South Africa innings as they reached fighting 155-6 in their allotted 20 Overs.
Laura Wolvaardt smashed a blistering 50 runs off 53 deliveries from top of the order to strengthen South Africa Chances to a series win.
Following the conclusion of the T20I series the two sides will move to the ODI’s scheduled to begin on Tuesday 9 April at Buffalo Park.
Football
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
The Super Eight Round of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 (Under 20 Division 1 Boys Football Tournament) has ended on a high note, producing four standout teams that will battle for a place in the final. Below is a comprehensive look at the match results, final points tables, and key highlights from the tournament so far.
Match Results Overview
- St. Joseph’s College 4-0 Darussalam College
- Kalutara Muslim Central 2-3 Alighar National School
- Hameed Al Husseine College 1-0 Al Falah College
- Zahira College 4-0 St. Patrick’s College
- St. Joseph’s College 1-1 Alighar National School
- Darussalam College 7-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
- Al Falah College 0-3 Zahira College
- St. Patrick’s College 0-4 Hameed Al Husseine College
- Alighar National School 5-1 Darussalam College
- St. Joseph’s College 1-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
- Zahira College 2-0 Hameed Al Husseine College
- Al Falah College 3-2 St. Patrick’s College
Group A Standings
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alighar National School | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 7 |
| 2 | St. Joseph’s College | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |
| 3 | Darussalam College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Kalutara Muslim Central College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):
- Alighar National School
- St. Joseph’s College
Group B Standings
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zahira College | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 9 |
| 2 | Hameed Al Husseine College | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | Al Falah College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | St. Patrick’s College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):
- Zahira College
- Hameed Al Husseine College
Summary & Semi-Final Preview
- Alighar National School and St. Joseph’s College finished level on points at the top of Group A. Their draw against each other kept the race tight, but both teams delivered strong performances in the remaining matches to secure 7 points each.
- Zahira College dominated Group B with three consecutive wins, scoring 9 goals and conceding none. Hameed Al Husseine College followed suit, showcasing solid defense and earning 6 points to claim the second semi-final berth.
- Darussalam College, Kalutara Muslim Central, Al Falah College, and St. Patrick’s College showed fighting spirit but fell short in the quest for the knockout stage.
Semi Finals
- Alighar National School will face Hameed Al Husseine College in the Semi Finals
- Zahira College will face St. Joseph’s College in the Semi Finals
The semi-finals promise high-octane clashes as the top contenders face off. Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for exclusive match previews, live coverage, and post-match analysis as we approach the grand finale of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025.
World Rugby has extended Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) deadline until June 15, 2025, to address its governance issues, warning that failure to comply will result in immediate sanctions, including a possible ban from international competitions.
Acknowledging the persistent efforts of Sri Lanka’s Competent Authority and Director General of Sports, Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando, World Rugby remains firm on its conditions. SLR must implement a revised constitution and conduct elections within the next four months to meet international standards.
To oversee these reforms, a Working Taskforce has been formed, featuring representatives from World Rugby, Asia Rugby, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lankan government. Led by Asia Rugby, this task force is responsible for guiding SLR through the required changes.
The reform process consists of two key phases. The initial phase focuses on reviewing voting eligibility, finalizing constitutional amendments, and organizing a Special General Meeting (SGM). The next phase involves adopting the new constitution at the SGM, followed by elections monitored by World Rugby, Asia Rugby, and local sports authorities.
SLR has faced repeated scrutiny over governance failures, prompting multiple interventions from international rugby bodies. With this deadline set, Sri Lanka Rugby has one final opportunity to align with global governance standards and secure its future in international rugby.
Sky Market Travels, a leading travel agency, has partnered with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football to contribute to the development of school football in the country.
As a first step, Sky Market Travels (Pvt) Ltd has joined as a sponsor for the Sri Lanka Schools’ National Championship 2024 Under-20 Division One tournament, organized by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Association.
This prestigious tournament, featuring 20 of Sri Lanka’s top school teams, has long been a vital platform for young players to showcase their talent at the national level. By stepping in as a sponsor, Sky Market Travels is playing a key role in supporting the future of Sri Lankan school football.
The event was attended by the President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, Jaswar Umar, the Head of the Coach Education Department and former National Team Captain, Sampath Perera, Elite Youth Manager Dudley Steinwal, Members of Schools’ Football Association, and the Managing Director of Sky Market Travels (Pvt) ltd Mohamed Faroos, the President of the Negombo Poruthota Soccer Fans Rizwan, and its Manager Nufri.
With this partnership, Sky Market Travels has taken a significant step in uplifting school football and providing aspiring young footballers with better opportunities to excel at the national level.
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
World Rugby Sets Final Deadline for Sri Lanka Rugby Governance Reforms
Sky Market Travels Joins Hands with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football
-
Football1 week agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Live3 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Cricket2 weeks agoSri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test: Spin to Dominate as Galle Pitch Set to Turn
-
Football1 month agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football1 month agoSri Lanka Football: Upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualification Matches & Fixtures
-
Football1 month agoErling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City
-
Cricket4 weeks agoUsman Khawaja Backs Sam Konstas as His Opening Partner Ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
-
Cricket1 month agoKumar Sangakkara to Lead Sri Lanka in International Masters League (IML) 2025
