Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka has played down criticism of the pitch used for the second One-Day International against England in Colombo, insisting that the surface was suitable for ODI cricket despite concerns raised by visiting players.

England levelled the three-match series with a comfortable victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium, chasing down a target of 220 with more than three overs to spare. Following the match, several England players expressed dissatisfaction with the playing surface, suggesting it was not ideal for one-day internationals.

Speaking after the match, Asalanka acknowledged that opinions on pitch conditions can differ but pointed to the overall scoring as evidence that the surface was not excessively poor.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Asalanka said. “But when you look at the match as a whole, the two teams scored around 440 runs. That doesn’t really suggest an unplayable wicket.”

The Sri Lanka skipper also drew comparisons with previous encounters between the two sides, noting that similar scrutiny had not been applied on other occasions when conditions were challenging.

“In the World Cup game in Bengaluru, England were bowled out for around 160, and there wasn’t much discussion about the pitch then,” he added. “So I don’t fully understand why the reaction is so strong this time.”

While defending the Colombo surface against heavy criticism, Asalanka conceded that it did not play as expected, particularly when compared to the first ODI of the series, which offered better conditions for batting.

“I didn’t expect the second pitch to behave that way,” he said. “In the first match, scores of around 270 or 280 were achievable. As a batting side, you always want to give your bowlers more runs to work with. The pitch definitely played differently, but even then, I don’t think it was a 220-run wicket. I was personally aiming for something closer to 250 or 260.”

With the series now level, attention turns to the decider, where pitch conditions and adaptability are once again likely to play a significant role. Both teams will be eager to adjust quickly as they seek to claim the series in Colombo.

Sri Lanka all-rounder Dunith Wellalage produced a match-winning performance in the opening One-Day International against England in Colombo, guiding his side to a 19-run victory and earning the Player of the Match award, which he emotionally dedicated to his late father.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Wellalage revealed that disciplined execution was the key to Sri Lanka’s success.

“The skipper’s advice was to bowl in good line and length and keep the overs tight. Our plan was to build pressure with disciplined bowling, and by sticking to that plan, we were able to finish on the winning side,” he said.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 271 for 6. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara laid a solid foundation with a 50-run stand before England struck back with early wickets. The innings was then stabilised by Kusal Mendis and Janith Liyanage, whose crucial 88-run partnership helped regain momentum.

Wellalage credited Kusal Mendis for anchoring the innings.

“Much of the credit should go to Kusal. Thanks to his knock we were able to post a competitive total. My role was to support him and stay till the end. The plan was to score between 260 and 270, and thankfully we achieved that,” he explained.

Wellalage added late impetus with an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls, pushing Sri Lanka to a challenging total. England spinner Adil Rashid was the standout bowler for the visitors, finishing with figures of 3 for 44.

In reply, England lost Zak Crawley early, but a strong 117-run partnership between Joe Root and Ben Duckett brought them firmly back into contention. As the pitch slowed in the latter stages, Sri Lanka’s bowlers adjusted smartly and tightened their grip on the game.

“The wicket became a little slow towards the end, so the plan was to reduce pace and bowl good line and lengths,” Wellalage noted.

The strategy paid off as Pramod Madushan led the attack with three wickets, while Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay claimed two each, bowling England out for 252.

Reflecting on the emotional significance of the performance, Wellalage paid tribute to his father.

“The last few months have been very hard for me after my father’s death. His wish was to see me represent my country, and I dedicate this Man of the Match award to him,” he said.

Sri Lanka now take early momentum into the remainder of the ODI series as they continue their preparations during England’s 2026 tour.

Sri Lanka national football head coach Abdullah Al Mutairi has officially concluded his tenure with the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), bringing an end to a period widely viewed as one of progress and renewed belief for the national team.

The Kuwaiti coach confirmed the development via a Facebook post, stating that his contract with FFSL ended by mutual agreement. Reflecting on his journey, Al Mutairi expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed to Sri Lankan football during his time in charge.

“I would like to share that my contract with Football Sri Lanka has come to an end by mutual agreement between all parties,” Al Mutairi wrote. “I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone I had the honor of working with during this journey.”

Al Mutairi thanked Sri Lankan football fans for their unwavering support and praised the players for their commitment, discipline, and fighting spirit. He also acknowledged the efforts of the coaching staff and support personnel who worked behind the scenes to drive the team forward.

Special appreciation was reserved for FFSL President Jaswar Umar, whose trust and full backing, according to Al Mutairi, played a crucial role in the national team’s achievements. The coach noted that strong leadership from the federation allowed the team to grow both technically and mentally on the international stage.

During his tenure, Sri Lanka showed clear improvement in performance and competitiveness, recording notable victories against higher-ranked opponents and earning increased respect within the region. Enhanced tactical discipline, improved fitness levels, and stronger team unity were widely regarded as key areas of progress under his leadership.

One of the standout moments of Al Mutairi’s time in charge was Sri Lanka’s historic qualification to the second round of the AFC World Cup qualifiers, a major milestone for the nation and a significant step forward in its footballing journey.

As he departs, Al Mutairi expressed gratitude for the experiences and memories gained and wished Sri Lankan football continued success. While his chapter as head coach has come to a close, the foundations laid during his tenure are expected to leave a lasting impact on the national team’s future development.