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Charith Asalanka ton in vain after first ODI washed out

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Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024

Charith Asalanka smashed a lone innings to rescue Sri Lanka from what meant to be another horrible batting performance before rain interrupted and later called off in the first ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Saturday.

A new year-new hopes but for Sri Lanka batters it was the same old story where there poor batting display were once again witnessed with half of the top order batters departing cheaply.

Earlier after winning the toss and opting to bat first Sri Lanka were off to a horrible start when there opener Avishka Fernando who marked his return to international cricket after almost 1 year departed for a duck to put some early pressure.

Despite the early breakthrough skipper Kusal and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 63 runs for the second wicket to keep Sri Lanka ahead in the game. But the settled duo were dismissed after scoring 40-plus each as Sri Lanka failed to find stability in the middle overs.

A steady partnership between Mendis and debutant Janith Liyanage also strengthened Sri Lanka’s batting card but from there onwards it was the old ugly story for Sri Lanka batters as they were reduced from 4-125 to 6-208.

The likes of former skipper Dasun Shanaka (8), Sahan Arachige (10) struggled to make an impact which cost Sri Lanka to go big in the death overs.

However when the chips were down, the lone warrior Charith Asalanka’s performance, featuring nine boundaries, served as the backbone of the team’s innings. His third ODI hundred played a pivotal role in enabling Sri Lanka to post a formidable total by the end of their allotted overs.

Asalanka top-scored with 101 runs off 95 balls while Medis was the second-highest run-getter with 46 runs. 

In reply, Sri Lanka were off to a flyer when Dilshan Madushanka ripped through Zimbabwe top order reduceing them to 2-12 in first 3 overs.

However unfortunately the match was halted after the fourth over of the Zimbabwe innings due to rain and subsequently called off with the vistors at 12 for 2.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 273/9 in 50 overs (Charith Asalanka 101, Kusal Mendis 46; Richard Ngarava 2-39) vs Zimbabwe 12/2 in 4 overs (Dilshan Madushanka 2-0) – Match abandoned.

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Pathum, Rizvi Shine as Delhi Capitals Outshine Mumbai Indians

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Delhi Capitals secured their second win of the IPL 2026 with a commanding 6-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium today. The highlight of the chase was the brilliant partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Sameer Rizvi, who tore through the Mumbai bowling attack with fearless stroke play.

Electing to bat first, Mumbai Indians managed a modest total of 162/6 in their 20 overs. Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with a fluent 51 off 36 balls, while Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 35. Early wickets fell to Delhi bowlers, with Mukesh Kumar claiming two key scalps and Lungi Ngidi, Axar Patel, and Vipraj Nigam chipping in with one each. Extras also played a role, adding five to the total.

In response, Delhi Capitals faced early setbacks as KL Rahul and Nitish Rana fell cheaply. However, Pathum Nissanka counter-attacked with 44 off 30 deliveries, forming a match-turning 78-run partnership with Sameer Rizvi, who finished unbeaten on 90 from 51 balls with seven towering sixes. David Miller provided late support, ensuring Delhi chased down the target in 18.1 overs.

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Trinity Roar to President’s Trophy Glory with 58-26 Rout of Royal

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Defending league champions Trinity delivered a masterclass in attack and game management as they crushed traditional rivals Royal 58-26 to lift the Dialog President’s Trophy Knock-out last evening, claiming the title for the first time in 15 years.

From the outset, Trinity set the tone. Centre Kevin Weerakoon opened the scoring in the 7th minute, slicing through Royal’s defense after a second-phase ball, although skipper Shan Althaf missed the conversion (5-0). Royal responded with a prop forward try in the 11th minute, converted by Zimark, taking a brief 5-7 lead.

Trinity, however, quickly seized control. Winger Dimeth Abeypetiya crossed twice off slick three-quarter moves, with Althaf adding a conversion to restore a 17-7 lead. Royal’s forwards briefly threatened using rolling mauls but could only narrow the gap to 17-12.

By halftime, Trinity’s precision in loose play and clinical finishing had them comfortably ahead. Ammar Manzil and fly half Abdul Malik both touched down, giving Trinity a commanding 27-12 advantage. Malik’s creativity and vision repeatedly carved open the Royal defense, setting the stage for a dominant second half.

Trinity’s momentum never waned. Althaf scored twice early in the second stanza, converting one, to extend the lead to 39-12. The Lions’ backline fluidity and Malik’s tactical kicks kept Royal on the back foot, allowing Hamza Habdeen and Manzil to further punctuate the rout and surpass the 50-point mark in a knock-out final a record-breaking 51-12.

Royal showed resilience with two late tries, but Trinity sealed their emphatic victory when Althaf completed a hat-trick after finishing off a cross-kick from Malik, closing out a spectacular 58-26 triumph.

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Shirantha Peries Enters Race for NOC Presidency with Reform Focus on Unity, Transparency and Delivery

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Shirantha Peries, a respected businessman, sports administrator, and current Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, has officially announced his candidacy for President of the National Olympic Commitee,, presenting a clear and practical mandate to strengthen governance, unify federations, and elevate Sri Lanka’s sporting performance on the international stage.

With over four decades of professional experience, Shirantha Peries is the owner of the Mega Pharma Group of Companies, a leading pharmaceutical enterprise with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 6 billion. His career reflects strong operational discipline, financial stewardship, and the ability to build and lead institutions at scale. He holds two MBAs from the United Kingdom and the United States, further reinforcing his strategic and leadership foundation.

“Leadership, to me, is about building systems that work, not just making promises. It is about creating structures that deliver consistently and fairly,” Peries said.

Beyond business, Shirantha has made a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s sporting ecosystem through both infrastructure development and sports administration. He has personally invested in developing and upgrading shooting ranges in Nuwara Eliya, Katukurunda, and Payagala at the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo, bringing facilities up to international standards and expanding access to the sport.

In 2015, he became the first civilian President of the National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka. Over the course of his tenure until 2025, the federation experienced significant growth, with participation increasing from approximately 200 athletes to over 7,500 young participants. Under his leadership, there was a clear focus on youth development, resulting in athletes under 16 achieving national success and securing medals at Asian level competitions.

“We proved that when you invest in structure, access, and youth, results will follow. That same approach can be applied across all sports in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Shirantha currently serves as Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and holds positions within international sporting bodies, including as an Executive Member of the Asian Shooting Confederation and as a Board Member supporting development initiatives within the International Shooting Sport Federation. He also serves as Chairman of the Lotus Tower in Colombo, reflecting his ability to operate within large scale national projects and work closely with Government stakeholders.

His journey in sport began at the age of 12, when he took up air rifle shooting under the guidance of his father. He later represented Sri Lanka at the SAF Shooting Games in 2000, winning a team silver and an individual bronze medal, giving him first hand insight into the demands of international competition.

Announcing his candidacy, Peries highlighted that Sri Lankan sport is at a defining moment, requiring stronger systems, greater unity, and transparent governance.

His mandate focuses on building a National Olympic Committee that is united in purpose, transparent in operation, and fair in opportunity. Key priorities include quarterly visibility of decisions, an open book system for funding and sponsorship opportunities, merit based eligibility frameworks, stronger athlete protection mechanisms, and structured capability development for athletes and coaches.

He also proposes the introduction of a formal feedback mechanism at Olympic House, improved accountability through defined roles and responsibilities, and closer collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the Government of Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lankan sport does not lack talent. It lacks a system that brings that talent together, supports it consistently, and gives it a fair path to succeed,” Peries stated. “This is about building an institution that unites, operates with integrity, and delivers results that the entire country can stand behind.”

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