Cricket
Consolation win for Sri Lanka as Ireland seal series 2-1
Sri Lanka tour of Ireland (Third ODI)
Sri Lanka secured an eight-wicket consolation win in the third and final ODI against Ireland in Belfast yesterday, though Ireland sealed the series 2-1.
Having opted to field first, Sri Lanka started brilliantly with the ball as the opening fast bowler Achini Kulasuriya ripped through the Ireland top order, claiming 3 wickets inside first 5 overs.
Inoshi Fernando and Ama Kanchana also struck once each as the hosts were staring down the barrel at 28 for 5 after first 15 overs.
Ireland’s lower order showed some resistance in the second half of the innings to take their side to 122 runs. The Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu and Achini Kulasuriya starred with the ball for the visitors, scalping 3 wickets each.
During the chase, it was a walk in the park for the Asian Champions as they reached the target in 23.1 overs.
Sri Lanka experienced a tumultuous beginning, losing Vishmi Gunaratne (9) early in the innings. However, Chamari Athapatthu and Harshitha Samarawickrama formed a crucial partnership, accumulating 62 runs for the second wicket, which brought them closer to victory.
The captain played a pivotal role in the run chase, scoring 48 runs off 49 balls before being dismissed just two runs shy of a well-deserved half-century.
Following Chamari’s exit, Harshitha assumed responsibility and remained at the crease throughout the innings, guiding Sri Lanka to a comfortable victory.
Harshitha finished the match unbeaten on 48 runs, while Kavisha Dilhari contributed a valuable 10*.
The Ireland Women’s team has undergone an exceptional nine-day period, commencing with their inaugural triumph against Sri Lanka Women in the second T20I at Pembroke.
This was succeeded by their historic acquisition of ICC Women’s Championship points in the initial matches, culminating in a series victory.
For Sri Lanka, this success will enhance their confidence as they approach the World Cup, and notably, it has allowed them to secure 10 points in the Super League.
Cricket
Kusal Mendis Falls Short in High-Stakes IPL Eliminator Clash
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis failed to rise to the occasion during a crucial IPL 2025 Eliminator as Gujarat Titans fell short in their chase against Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Chasing a steep target of 229, Gujarat Titans needed early momentum. While opener Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a composed 80 off 49 deliveries, Kusal Mendis—expected to play a key supporting role—could not live up to expectations on this competitive stage.
Mendis, who had the platform to make an impact, started aggressively with two sixes in his 10-ball 20 but threw away his wicket in an uncharacteristic manner—getting out hit wicket to Mitchell Santner. In a high-pressure match where composure was vital, Mendis’s dismissal was a major setback for GT, stalling their momentum during a promising phase of the innings.
This was an opportunity for Mendis to demonstrate consistency and reliability at the highest level of franchise cricket, especially with the eyes of selectors and fans fixed on performances under pressure. However, the lack of game awareness and a reckless approach led to a soft exit at a crucial moment.
GT eventually managed 208/6, falling short by 20 runs. With Mendis’s early exit, the middle order was left exposed to the mounting run rate, and despite brief resistance from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, the chase fizzled out.
While Mendis has shown flashes of brilliance in previous matches, this performance serves as a reminder of the demands of knockout-stage cricket. With playoffs being the toughest test of mental and technical strength, Sri Lanka’s white-ball star must tighten his game to deliver when it matters most.
Cricket
Nuwan Thushara Shines as RCB Storms into IPL 2025 Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) booked their place in the grand finale of IPL 2025 with an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2, chasing down 102 runs in just 10 overs. The match, held in Ahmedabad, saw RCB continue their dominant form in the playoffs, with Sri Lanka’s very own Nuwan Thushara making his presence felt on the biggest T20 franchise stage.
Thushara, who has been a consistent figure in RCB’s bowling attack, picked up a crucial wicket in the Qualifier 1 against Lucknow Super Giants and has steadily built a reputation as a reliable powerplay bowler. His unique slingy action and accuracy have made him a fan favourite in Bengaluru and among Sri Lankan cricket fans. Although he took just 1 wicket in the latest game, his economical spells have contributed significantly to RCB’s campaign.
RCB’s victory against PBKS came on the back of a brilliant bowling effort, bundling Punjab out for a mere 101. RCB’s top order made light work of the target, finishing the chase with 60 balls to spare – the most dominant playoff win in IPL history in terms of balls remaining.
Sri Lanka’s IPL participation this year has been headlined by Nuwan Thushara, whose breakthrough season is setting the tone for more Lankan stars to shine in the league. His performance is also a testament to the growing impact of Sri Lankan pace bowlers in franchise cricket worldwide.
RCB will now face either Gujarat Titans or Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Final on June 3rd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Thushara is expected to play a key role as RCB aims to secure their maiden IPL title.
As the cricketing world gears up for a blockbuster final, Sri Lankan fans will be cheering on Thushara, hoping he brings IPL glory back to Bengaluru – and pride to Sri Lanka.
Cricket
Galle Marvels Owner Sentenced in Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Sports Offences Law
In a landmark ruling under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act, Indian businessman Prem Thakkar, the franchise owner of Lanka T10 League side Galle Marvels, has been handed a suspended prison sentence for attempting to fix a match during the 2024 tournament.
Thakkar pleaded guilty to a match-fixing charge and was sentenced by the Kandy High Court to two years of rigorous imprisonment, suspended for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay a Rs. 6 million fine and Rs. 1 million in compensation.
The charges stem from an incident in December 2024, when Thakkar allegedly approached West Indies cricketer Andre Fletcher with an offer to influence the outcome of a Lanka T10 League match involving the Galle Marvels. The case was investigated by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Special Investigation Unit for Sports-Related Offences.
The court further permitted the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to access and analyze data from Thakkar’s mobile device to support ongoing investigations into wider corruption networks.
This conviction marks one of the first high-profile applications of Sri Lanka’s sports-related anti-corruption laws and sends a strong signal about the country’s commitment to upholding integrity in sports. The Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act, enacted in 2019, criminalizes corruption in sport and provides legal mechanisms to penalize offenders—including jail time and financial penalties.
From a sports governance standpoint, this case underscores the growing necessity for franchise owners and stakeholders to be held accountable under national laws, especially as the popularity of short-format leagues like the Lanka T10 continues to rise.
Thakkar, who has now been granted permission to leave Sri Lanka after settling the financial penalties, becomes the first franchise owner in Lanka T10 history to be convicted under the country’s sports integrity laws.
As Sri Lanka continues to grow as a regional hub for franchise-based cricket, this incident also raises pressing questions for tournament organizers, including Sri Lanka Cricket, on the due diligence applied when awarding team ownerships and the oversight mechanisms in places.
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