News

Ibrahim Zadran’s 98 helped Afghanistan go up 1-0

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2023

Editor

Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023 (First ODI)

Ibrahim Zadran’s 98 runs helped Afghanistan stun Sri Lanka as the visitors recorded a dominant six-wicket win in the first ODI match at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota on Friday.

Thanks to Charith Asalanka top knock of 91 runs saw a new-look Sri Lanka team blend with experienced players who posted 268 runs in their allotted 50 overs.

In reply, the travelling Afghanistan team easily chased the target riding from a brilliant cameo by opener Ibrahim Zadran.

After inviting Sri Lanka to bat first
a new opening pair-veteran batter Dimuth Karunaratne who returned to ODI cricket after two years opened the innings along with Pathum Nissanka.

But the partnership was short-lived when the Dimuth was caught at second slip off Fazalhaq Farooqi’s delivery in the third over.

Sri Lanka also lost in-form wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis on just 11 runs to pin them further down.
Nissanka scored crucial 38 runs to keep the scoreboard moving.

Out of form Sri Lankan top order was once again visible when they were struggling at 60-4.

The host failed to form any meaningful partnerships apart from Charith Asalanka and Dhanajaya de Silva who produced a 99-run stand for the fifth wicket to help Sri Lanka post a fighting total.

Asalanka scored 91 off 95 while Dhananjaya added 51 runs as Sri Lanka’s innings collapsed to 268 runs in 50 overs.

Skipper Dasun Shanaka once again failed to live up to the expectation as he failed to impress with the bat again.

In reply, the visitors followed a similar script when they lost their wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the sixth over when Lahiru Kumara bowled out the opener with a peach of a delivery.

However, despite a decent start the hosts failed to capitalize on that where Zadran and Rahmat Shah pulled off a 146-run partnership for the second wicket to virtually seal the match for Afghanistan.

Towards the end of the innings, Matheesha Pathirana picked his maiden international wicket in the form of Rahmat Shah who scored 55 runs but endured a costly spell on his debut.

Zadran missed out on his fourth ODI ton by just two runs as he was dismissed by Kasun Rajitha in the 37th over. But his knock had put Afghanistan in a comfortable position to win the game.

Sri Lanka bowlers had a day to forget as they had a torrid time in the middle finding good lines and lengths. None of the bowlers stepped up to impress as all of them were smashed all over the park to end the quota of overs on an expensive note.

Zadran won the Player of the Match award as Afghanistan recorded an easy win.

Afghanistan played without their ace spinner Rashid Khan who was ruled out of the first two games with a back injury while the hosts handed international debuts to pacer Matheesha Pathiran and leg spinner Dushan Hemantha.

After the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka will travel to Zimbabwe for the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers starting on June 18. The two teams will next meet on June 4 for the second ODI at the same venue.

Athletics

Three Sri Lankan Athletes Qualify for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2025

Editor

Colombo: In a historic achievement for Sri Lankan athletics, three national athletes have officially qualified for the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025, set to take place from May 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China. This marks Sri Lanka’s largest representation at the prestigious event in over two decades.

Sri Lankan Athletes Heading to Nanjing 2025

The three Sri Lankan athletes who secured their spots based on performances and world rankings are:

Chamod Yodasinghe – 60m Sprint
Kalinga Kumarage – 400m
Kaveesha Bandara – 60m Hurdles

Their qualification comes after impressive performances at the inaugural National Short Course Championship, highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing potential in indoor athletics.

A Historic Moment for Sri Lanka

The last time Sri Lanka sent a team to the World Athletics Indoor Championships was in 2001 (Lisbon), where four athletes represented the nation. This latest qualification marks the largest contingent in over 20 years, showcasing significant progress despite limited indoor competition opportunities in Sri Lanka.

With preparations underway, these athletes will aim to make an impact on the global stage and elevate Sri Lanka’s presence in international athletics.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka’s journey to Nanjing 2025!

News

Chinese Government Pledges Support for Sri Lanka’s Sports and Youth Development

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

Colombo: In a significant move towards strengthening sports and youth development in Sri Lanka, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong met with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumar Gamage, and Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara today (26) at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

During the meeting, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong congratulated the newly appointed ministers and reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s sports and youth programs. Discussions centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring actionable initiatives to uplift sports development in the country.

A key highlight of the discussions was China’s willingness to promote sports such as Tai Chi and Dragon Boat Racing in Sri Lanka. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of fostering international sports collaboration and expanding the sporting culture within the country.

This renewed partnership marks an important step in Sri Lanka’s sports development, paving the way for future investments and technical support to enhance local sporting infrastructure and training programs.

Stay tuned for more updates on this collaboration and its impact on Sri Lankan sports!

Football

Sri Lanka to Host the Prestigious 2025 SAFF Championship After 17 Years

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

Colombo: Sri Lanka has officially been granted the hosting rights for the 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, set to take place in June 2025. The decision marks a historic moment for Sri Lankan football, as the nation last hosted the tournament in 2008 alongside the Maldives.

The SAFF Championship is widely regarded as the “World Cup of South Asia,” bringing together the best footballing nations from the region. The 2025 edition will feature seven teams:

India (Defending champions and most successful team)
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka (Host nation)

With the backing of home supporters, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on this opportunity and aim for a deep run in the competition.

SAFF Championship: A Look at Past Editions and Winners

The SAFF Championship, first held in 1993, has seen 14 editions so far. India has been the most dominant team in the tournament’s history, winning a record 9 titles. The Maldives and Bangladesh have each won the tournament twice, while Sri Lanka claimed their only title in 1995, when they hosted the event in Colombo.

Here is a look at the past winners:

India – 9 titles (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023)
Maldives – 2 titles (2008, 2018)
Bangladesh – 2 titles (2003, 2023)
Sri Lanka – 1 title (1995)

Sri Lanka’s return as the host nation in 2025 gives them a golden opportunity to reclaim the championship after 30 years.

If executed well, the 2025 SAFF Championship could mark the beginning of a new era for Sri Lankan football, helping the nation rise again in South Asian football.

Can Sri Lanka make the most of this historic opportunity? The countdown to SAFF 2025 begins!