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Harshitha, Nilakshi’s fifties help Sri Lanka to bag the series 2-1.

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Bangladesh Women’s Tour of Sri Lanka 2023

Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva’s half-centuries steered Sri Lanka to a 44-run win over Bangladesh in the third and final T20I worked off at SSC grounds, Colombo on Friday (12).
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 158-3 in their allotted 20 overs on the back half centuries from Harshitha and Nilakshi, and in reply, Bangladesh was restricted to 114-7.

The Lionesses were off to a shaky start when they lost opener Vishmi Gunaratne (2) cheaply. After the early breakthrough, the vice-captain joined skipper Chamari Athapaththu in the middle and the duo looked to revive the innings by slowly building up a 27 runs partnership, but it was cut short when Nahida Akter delivered to send Chamari back to the pavilion for 32 runs.

At one stage it looked like Sri Lanka could settle for a score between 120-130, but Samarawickrama’s assured knock of 51 not out, coupled with de Silva’s unbeaten 63 at the other end took them to a competitive total.

Harshitha and Nilakshi smashed the Bangladesh bowlers all over the park and put on an unbeaten 102 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket.
In reply, Bangladesh were off to a similar start, losing their first three wickets inside the first 10 overs.

With the scoreboard reading at 50-3, the visitors looked to change gears and play some aggressive cricket, but their strategy was short-lived as they kept on losing wickets to Sri Lanka spinners.
The visitors were struggling to set up any form of meaningful partnership and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals throughout the innings.

Sobhana Mostary and skipper Nigar Sultana were the only batters to impress with 30 and 31 runs respectively, but their efforts were insufficient to take their team over the line.

Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera and Kawya Kavindi were the picks of the bowlers sharing two wickets apiece, while Sugandika Kumari captured one.

The win also saw Sri Lanka come from behind to bag the series 2-1.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka: 158-3 (20) (Nilakshi de Silva 63, Harshitha Samarawickrama 51, Rebeya Khan 1-20, Nahida Akter 1-37, Fahima Khatun 1-37)
Bangladesh: 114-7 (20) (Nigar Sultana 31, Sobhana Mostary 30, Udeshika Prabodhani 2-17, Kawya Kavindi 2-28, Inoka Ranaweera 2-17)

හර්ෂිත, නිලක්ෂිගේ අර්ධ ශතක ශ‍්‍රී ලංකාවට තරගාවලිය 2-1ක් ලෙස ජය ගැනීමට ඉවහල් විය.

බංග්ලාදේශ කාන්තා ශ්‍රී ලංකා සංචාරය 2023

හර්ෂිත සමරවික්‍රම සහ නිලක්ෂි ද සිල්වාගේ අර්ධ ශතක හේතුවෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සහ බංග්ලාදේශය අතර පැවැති තෙවැනි සහ අවසන් විස්සයි20 තරගය සිකුරාදා (12) කොළඹ SSC ක්‍රීඩාංගණයේ දී නිමාවට පත් වූ අතර එහිදී ශ්‍රී ලංකාව ලකුණු 44 ක ජයක් අත්කර ගත්තේය.
පළමුවෙන් පන්දුවට පහර දීමට තීරණය කළ ශ්‍රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායම නියමිත පන්දුවාර 20 අවසානයේ හර්ෂිත සහ නිලක්ෂිගේ අර්ධ ශතක මත ලකුණු 158-3ක් රැස් කළ අතර පිළිතුරු ලෙස බංග්ලාදේශය ලකුණු 114-7කට සීමා විය.

ආරම්භක පිතිකරු විශ්මි ගුණරත්න (2) අඩු වියදමකින් දැවී ගිය විට සිංහයන්ගේ ආරම්භය බිඳ වැටුණි. ආරම්භක පිතිහරඹයෙන් පසු උපනායිකාව නායිකා චමරි අතපත්තු මැදට එක් වූ අතර ඔවුන් දෙදෙනා සෙමෙන් ලකුණු 27ක සබඳතාවක් ගොඩනඟා ගනිමින් ඉනිම පණ ගැන්වීමට බලාපොරොත්තු වූ නමුත් චමරිව නැවත මණ්ඩපයට යැවීමට නහිද අක්ටර් විසින් පන්දුවට පහරදීමත් සමඟ එය බිඳ වැටුණි. ලකුණු 32 යි.

එක් අවස්ථාවකදී ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට ලකුණු 120-130 අතර සෑහීමට පත් විය හැකි බවක් පෙනෙන්නට තිබුණද, සමරවික්‍රම නොදැවී ලකුණු 51ක් ලබා ගැනීමත්, අනෙක් අන්තයේ දී ද සිල්වා නොදැවී ලකුණු 63ක් ලබා ගැනීමත් සමඟින් ඔවුන් තරගකාරී මුළු ලකුණු සංඛ්‍යාවක් කරා රැගෙන ගියේය.

හර්ෂිතා සහ නිලක්ෂි බංගලාදේශ පන්දු යවන්නන් උද්‍යානය පුරා බිඳ දමමින් 3 වැනි කඩුල්ලට නොදැවී ලකුණු 102ක සබඳතාවක් ගොඩනැගූහ.
පිළිතුරු ඉනිම ක්‍රීඩා කළ බංගලාදේශය පළමු ඕවර 10 තුළදී ඔවුන්ගේ පළමු කඩුලු ත්‍රිත්වය ද දැවී ගියේ එවැනිම ආරම්භයක් ලබාගනිමිනි.

ලකුණු පුවරුව 50-3ක් ලෙස කියවීමත් සමඟ අමුත්තන් ගියර් වෙනස් කර ආක්‍රමණශීලී ක්‍රිකට් ක්‍රීඩා කිරීමට බලාපොරොත්තු වූ නමුත් ශ්‍රී ලංකා දඟපන්දු යවන්නන්ට දිගින් දිගටම කඩුලු අහිමි වීම නිසා ඔවුන්ගේ උපාය කෙටි කාලීන විය.
නරඹන්නන් ඕනෑම ආකාරයක අර්ථවත් සබඳතාවක් පිහිටුවීමට දැඩි වෙහෙසක් දරමින් සිටි අතර ඉනිම පුරාවටම නියමිත කාල සීමාවන්හිදී කඩුලු බිඳ වැටෙන්නට විය.

සෝභනා මොස්ටාරි සහ නායක නිගාර් සුල්තානා පිළිවෙලින් ලකුණු 30ක් සහ 31ක් ලබා ගත් එකම පිතිකරුවන් වූ නමුත් ඔවුන්ගේ උත්සාහය තම කණ්ඩායම සීමාව ඉක්මවා යාමට ප්‍රමාණවත් නොවීය.

පන්දු යැවීමේදී උදේශිකා ප්‍රබෝධනී, ඉනෝකා රණවීර සහ කාව්‍යා කාවින්දි කඩුලු 2 බැගින් බෙදී ගිය අතර, සුගන්දිකා කුමාරි එක් කඩුල්ලක් දවා ගත්තාය.

මෙම ජයග්‍රහණයත් සමඟින් ශ්‍රී ලංකා පිල තරග 2-1ක් ලෙසින් තරගාවලිය ජය ගැනීමට ද සමත් විය.
කෙටි ලකුණු:
ශ්‍රී ලංකාව: 158-3 (20) (නිලක්ෂි ද සිල්වා 63, හර්ෂිතා සමරවික්‍රම 51, රෙබෙයා ඛාන් 1-20, නහිදා අක්ටර් 1-37, ෆාහිමා ඛාතුන් 1-37)
බංග්ලාදේශය: 114-7 (20) (නිගර් සුල්තානා 31, සෝභනා මොස්තාරි 30, උදේශිකා ප්‍රබෝධනී 2-17, කාව්‍යා කාවින්දි 2-28, ඉනෝකා රණවීර 2-17)

ஹர்ஷிதா, நிலக்ஷியின் அரைசதங்கள் இலங்கை 2-1 என தொடரை கைப்பற்ற உதவியது.

பங்களாதேஷ் பெண்கள் இலங்கை சுற்றுப்பயணம் 2023

ஹர்ஷித சமரவிக்ரம மற்றும் நிலக்ஷி டி சில்வாவின் அரைசதங்களால் இலங்கை அணி பங்களாதேஷ் அணிக்கு எதிரான மூன்றாவதும் இறுதியுமான டி20 போட்டியில் இலங்கை அணி 44 ஓட்டங்களால் வெற்றியீட்டியது.
முதலில் துடுப்பெடுத்தாடத் தீர்மானித்த இலங்கை, ஹர்ஷிதா மற்றும் நிலக்ஷி ஆகியோரின் அரைச் சதங்களின் அடிப்படையில் தமக்கு நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட 20 ஓவர்களில் 158-3 ஓட்டங்களைப் பெற்றது, பதிலுக்கு, பங்களாதேஷ் 114-7 என மட்டுப்படுத்தப்பட்டது.

தொடக்க ஆட்டக்காரர் விஷ்மி குணரத்னேவை (2) மலிவாக இழந்தபோது சிங்கங்கள் அதிர்ச்சியான தொடக்கத்தில் இருந்தன. ஆரம்ப முன்னேற்றத்திற்குப் பிறகு, துணைத் தலைவர் கேப்டன் சாமரி அதபத்துவை நடுவில் இணைத்தார், இருவரும் மெதுவாக 27 ரன்களின் பார்ட்னர்ஷிப்பை உருவாக்கி இன்னிங்ஸை மீட்டெடுக்க முயன்றனர், ஆனால் சாமரியை மீண்டும் பெவிலியனுக்கு அனுப்ப நஹிடா அக்டர் கொடுத்தபோது அது துண்டிக்கப்பட்டது. 32 ரன்கள்.

ஒரு கட்டத்தில், இலங்கை 120-130 என்ற புள்ளிகளுக்கு இடையில் ஒரு ஸ்கோரைத் தீர்த்துவிடலாம் என்று தோன்றியது, ஆனால் சமரவிக்ரமவின் உறுதியான ஆட்டமிழக்காமல் 51 ரன்களும், மறுமுனையில் டி சில்வாவின் ஆட்டமிழக்காமல் 63 ரன்களும் சேர்ந்து அவர்களை ஒரு போட்டித் தொகைக்கு அழைத்துச் சென்றது.

ஹர்ஷிதாவும், நிலக்ஷியும் வங்கதேச பந்துவீச்சாளர்களை பார்க் முழுவதும் அடித்து நொறுக்கி, 3வது விக்கெட்டுக்கு 102 ரன்களை ஆட்டமிழக்காமல் சேர்த்தனர்.
பதிலுக்குத் துடுப்பெடுத்தாடிய பங்களாதேஷ் அணி, முதல் 10 ஓவர்களுக்குள் தனது முதல் மூன்று விக்கெட்டுகளை இழந்தது.

ஸ்கோர்போர்டு 50-3 ஆக இருந்த நிலையில், பார்வையாளர்கள் கியர்களை மாற்றிக்கொண்டு சில ஆக்ரோஷமான கிரிக்கெட்டை விளையாடினர், ஆனால் அவர்கள் இலங்கை சுழற்பந்து வீச்சாளர்களிடம் விக்கெட்டுகளை இழந்து கொண்டே இருந்ததால் அவர்களின் உத்தி சிறிது காலம் நீடித்தது.
பார்வையாளர்கள் எந்தவொரு அர்த்தமுள்ள பார்ட்னர்ஷிப்பையும் அமைக்க சிரமப்பட்டனர் மற்றும் இன்னிங்ஸ் முழுவதும் சீரான இடைவெளியில் விக்கெட்டுகள் தொடர்ந்து விழுந்தன.

சோபனா மோஸ்டரி மற்றும் அணித்தலைவர் நிகர் சுல்தானா ஆகியோர் முறையே 30 மற்றும் 31 ரன்களுடன் மட்டுமே சிறப்பாக ஆடினர், ஆனால் அவர்களது முயற்சிகள் தங்கள் அணியை எல்லைக்கு மேல் கொண்டு செல்ல போதுமானதாக இல்லை.

பந்துவீச்சாளர்களில் உதேஷிகா பிரபோதனி, இனோகா ரணவீர மற்றும் காவ்யா காவிந்தி ஆகியோர் தலா 2 விக்கெட்டுக்களைப் பகிர்ந்ததோடு, சுகந்திகா குமாரி ஒரு விக்கெட்டையும் கைப்பற்றினர்.

இந்த வெற்றியின் மூலம் இலங்கை அணி 2-1 என தொடரை கைப்பற்றியது.
சுருக்கமான மதிப்பெண்கள்:
இலங்கை: 158-3 (20) (நிலக்ஷி டி சில்வா 63, ஹர்ஷிதா சமரவிக்ரம 51, ரெபேயா கான் 1-20, நஹிடா அக்டர் 1-37, ஃபஹிமா காதுன் 1-37)
பங்களாதேஷ்: 114-7 (20) (நிகர் சுல்தானா 31, சோபனா மோஸ்டரி 30, உதேஷிகா பிரபோதனி 2-17, காவ்யா கவிந்தி 2-28, இனோகா ரணவீர 2-17)

News

BALL BLASTER 2026: SRI LANKA’S BIGGEST SCHOOL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS BIGGER THAN EVER

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24 Schools, 15 Venues and Three National Trophies as Ball Blaster Enters Its Third Year

COLOMBO — Ball Blaster, Sri Lanka’s premier school football tournament, is set to return in 2026 with its biggest edition yet, organized by Aasgard Sports (Private) Limited in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association and the Ministry of Education.

Now entering its third year, Ball Blaster has grown from 2023 with 20 schools into one of the country’s largest youth football events. The 2025 edition featured 16 schools competing across four groups, drawing national broadcast attention through Sri Lankan Sports TV and PEO TV. For 2026, the tournament expands significantly, with 24 schools set to compete across 15 venues nationwide, in a season spanning six weeks and 84 matches.

A NEW FORMAT: THREE TROPHIES, THREE CHAMPIONS

The standout feature of Ball Blaster 2026 is a new three-tier trophy format. Schools will be drawn into four groups of six, playing a round-robin group stage before advancing into one of three parallel championships based on their group finish: the Cup Trophy for group winners, the Bowl Trophy for runners-up, and the Plate Trophy for second runners-up. The format ensures every participating school remains in contention for a national title deep into the tournament.

All three championships will reach their conclusion on the same finals weekend, with third-place playoffs and grand finals for the Cup, Bowl and Plate trophies all being played at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

“Ball Blaster has always been about giving young footballers a stage,” said a spokesperson for Aasgard Sports. “This year, we’re expanding that stage to every corner of the island, and making sure every school that takes part has something real to play for, right to the final whistle.”

BUILDING ON A STRONG 2025

Ball Blaster’s growth has been underpinned by strong sponsor support. The 2025 edition was backed by Lifebuoy as Title Sponsor, alongside Lemonade as Refreshing Partner and Sky Market Travels as Travelling Partner. Organizers say conversations are already underway with returning and new sponsors ahead of the 2026 season, as the tournament’s expanded scale — nationwide venues, a longer season and three separate finals — offers significantly greater visibility for partners.

BROADCAST AND COVERAGE

As in previous years, Ball Blaster 2026 will be broadcast live via Sri Lankan Sports TV and PEO Sports, with matches also available on YouTube and across Sri Lankan Sports TV’s digital platforms.

For sponsorship and partnership enquiries, contact: Pasindu Mihiranga Sri Lankan Sports TV | Aasgard Sports (Private) Limited 0726 85 18 18 marketing@srilankansportstv.com

www.srilankansportstv.com

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Football

Jaswar Umar Hails FIFA Series as Turning Point for Sri Lankan Football

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Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar has described the inaugural FIFA Series in Colombo as a major milestone for the country’s football development, saying the tournament has given Sri Lanka renewed confidence and a stronger connection with the international game.

Umar, who has been involved in efforts to strengthen Sri Lankan football administration and development, said hosting the tournament demonstrated that developing football nations could compete on the global stage when given meaningful opportunities.

The FIFA Series, held in Colombo in March 2024, brought Sri Lanka together with Bhutan, Papua New Guinea and the Central African Republic. The four participating nations represented three different confederations, giving Sri Lanka an unusual opportunity to face teams with different playing styles.

Sri Lanka completed its campaign unbeaten, drawing 0-0 against Papua New Guinea and defeating Bhutan 2-0. Umar said the matches provided valuable experience for the national team and helped players adapt to different forms of international competition.

DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 17: FIFA President Gianni Infantino with Football Federation of Sri Lanka President Jaswar Umar during a meeting on December 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Serhat Akin/FIFA)

He stressed that the benefits extended beyond the football field. Sri Lankan officials involved in administration, technical operations, media, medical services and event management gained practical experience in organising matches to international standards.

The Racecourse Ground also received an important upgrade through assistance from FIFA’s Forward Programme. The renovation enabled the historic Colombo venue to host international football and created improved facilities for future events.

Umar said one of the most important achievements was bringing international football closer to Sri Lankan supporters. Young fans were able to watch national players compete against foreign opposition in their own city, helping to inspire a new generation.

He thanked FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino for supporting developing football nations.

According to Umar, the FIFA Series has left Sri Lanka with more than match results. It has provided international experience, stronger administrative capabilities, improved infrastructure and, most importantly, renewed belief in the future of Sri Lankan football.

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Cricket

Dulani’s sparkling century powers Sri Lanka to thrilling victory

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Imesha Dulani stole the spotlight with a sensational unbeaten century as Sri Lanka Women chased down a formidable target of 177 to register a convincing six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the first T20I worked off at Dambulla international Stadium.

Pakistan looked set for victory after posting a competitive 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. Captain Muneeba Ali gave the innings early momentum with a fluent 42 off 24 balls, while Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings superbly with a brilliant 63 from 41 deliveries, striking 10 fours and a six. Eman Naseer added a valuable 21, while Ayesha Zafar and Saira Jabeen played aggressive cameos in the closing overs to push Pakistan to an above-par total.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Kavisha Dilhari leading the way with two dismissals. Chamudi Praboda, Sugandika Kumari and Kawya Kavindi chipped in with one wicket apiece, while disciplined fielding produced two crucial run-outs.

The chase belonged entirely to Dulani, who delivered the innings of the match. Displaying confidence, composure and a wide range of attacking strokes, she remained unbeaten on 101 from just 64 balls, smashing 17 boundaries and a six. Her innings combined elegance with controlled aggression, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu provided the ideal platform with a sparkling 39 off 22 balls, adding 78 for the opening wicket before Nashra Sandhu broke the partnership. Although Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs, Dulani remained firmly in control, rotating the strike effectively before accelerating when it mattered most.

Kavisha Dilhari contributed 11 valuable runs, while Nilakshika Silva remained unbeaten on nine as Sri Lanka reached 177 for 4 in 19 overs, sealing victory with six balls to spare.

Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu finished with two wickets, but she could do little to halt Dulani’s memorable knock.

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