CR & FC continue to lead the Sri Lanka Rugby Maliban “A” Division Inter Club League 2025/26 after the completion of Week 11, holding a narrow advantage at the top of the standings as the title race intensifies.

The Red Shirts sit first on the table with 42 points from eight matches, having recorded seven wins and just one defeat. Their consistent performances, combined with a strong defensive record and positive points difference, have kept them just ahead of their closest challengers.

Kandy Sports Club remain firmly in contention, occupying second place with 41 points. The hill capital outfit have matched CR & FC in intensity, losing only once this season, and boast the highest points scored tally so far. With just a single point separating the top two, the championship race remains wide open.

CH & FC sit third with 39 points, maintaining pressure on the leading pair after an impressive run of form. The Maitland Crescent side have shown balance across attack and defence, keeping themselves well within reach of the title fight.

Havelock Sports Club hold fourth place with 34 points, staying in the hunt for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Air Force SC (25 points) and Police SC (17 points) occupy fifth and sixth positions respectively, both sides still battling to climb the standings as the season progresses.

At the lower end of the table, Army SC (14 points) and Navy SC (12 points) continue to search for consistency, while Sri Lions remain at the bottom with a solitary point after eight matches, enduring a difficult campaign.

With several crucial fixtures still to come, the Maliban “A” Division League promises an exciting run-in, particularly at the top where the margin for error is minimal. As teams push for silverware, playoff positions, and pride, the coming weeks are set to deliver high-intensity rugby across the island.

Sri Lanka’s promising young batter Pavan Rathnayake marked a major personal milestone with his maiden One Day International century, but his effort proved insufficient as England sealed a 2–1 series victory with a 53-run win in the third and final ODI at the R Premadasa International Stadium, Colombo, on Tuesday.

Chasing a daunting target of 358, Sri Lanka’s reply was anchored by the 23-year-old Rathnayake, who produced a composed and courageous 121 off 115 deliveries. Batting at his preferred No.4 position, Rathnayake showed maturity beyond his experience, mixing patience with controlled aggression to keep Sri Lanka in the contest. However, a lack of sustained partnerships at the other end saw the hosts bowled out for 304 in 46.4 overs, with Rathnayake the last man dismissed.

Speaking after the match, Rathnayake said he was pleased to finally convert an opportunity at international level, especially after being entrusted with a role he regularly occupies in domestic cricket.

“This is a position I am comfortable with, and I’ve been waiting for this opportunity,” he said, expressing hope that the innings would mark the beginning of a consistent run at the highest level.

Despite the defeat, Rathnayake remained optimistic about Sri Lanka’s batting depth, explaining that the plan during the chase was to take the game as deep as possible. He admitted, however, that the steady loss of wickets on a batting-friendly surface ultimately tilted the contest in England’s favour.

The innings carried deep personal significance, as Rathnayake dedicated his maiden international century to his late father, who played a key role in his cricketing journey. He reiterated that individual milestones mean little without team success, stressing that his ultimate goal remains contributing to Sri Lanka’s victories.

Earlier, England produced a commanding batting display after being asked to bat first. After early losses of Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell rebuilt the innings with a composed partnership, Bethell contributing a well-paced 65. Root then combined with skipper Harry Brook to take the game away from Sri Lanka.

Brook unleashed a blistering unbeaten 136 off just 66 balls, while Root played the anchor role to perfection, finishing unbeaten on 111. England closed on an imposing 357 for 3, capitalising on a flat surface and loose bowling at the death.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to extract assistance, with Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Wanindu Hasaranga managing a wicket apiece.

In response, Pathum Nissanka provided early impetus with a rapid half-century off just 25 balls, but regular breakthroughs prevented Sri Lanka from building momentum, allowing England to maintain control and close out the series.

With the ODI leg concluded, both teams now turn their attention to the three-match T20 International series, which gets underway on Friday in Kandy, as preparations continue for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Sri Lanka Women are set to tour the West Indies for a white-ball series comprising One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals during February and March 2026, as part of their international calendar leading into a crucial World Cup year.

The tour will feature three ODIs and three T20Is, all of which will be played at the Grenada National Stadium, with matches scheduled from February 20 to March 3.

The ODI leg of the series will get underway on February 20, followed by the second and third matches on February 22 and February 25 respectively. The focus will then shift to the shorter format, with the T20I series commencing on February 28, before concluding with matches on March 1 and March 3.

The T20I series holds particular importance for both teams as they continue preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held in the United Kingdom. Sri Lanka and West Indies have been placed in Group 2, alongside hosts England, New Zealand, and two teams yet to qualify.

Sri Lanka Women will be aiming to end a prolonged T20I series drought, having not won a bilateral T20I series since lifting the Women’s Asia Cup in 2024. The Caribbean tour presents a valuable opportunity for the side to rebuild confidence and momentum in the format ahead of the global tournament.

West Indies, meanwhile, will take confidence from recent home performances, having won their last two home T20I series against Bangladesh and South Africa. Playing all matches at a single venue is expected to test Sri Lanka’s adaptability to conditions over an extended period.

The two sides last faced each other in the Caribbean in 2024, where Sri Lanka enjoyed success in the ODI format with a 3–0 series sweep, while West Indies responded strongly to claim the T20I series 2–1.

With both teams eyeing World Cup readiness, the upcoming tour is expected to provide a competitive and revealing contest across formats.

Tour Schedule – Sri Lanka Women in West Indies 2026

• 20 February – 1st ODI, Grenada National Stadium

• 22 February – 2nd ODI, Grenada National Stadium

• 25 February – 3rd ODI, Grenada National Stadium

• 28 February – 1st T20I, Grenada National Stadium

• 1 March – 2nd T20I, Grenada National Stadium

• 3 March – 3rd T20I, Grenada National Stadium