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KJP urges youngsters to play with the positive mindset
Kusal Perera’s aftermath of the first T20I, which Sri Lanka won via Super Over, the southpaw urged his teammates to play with greater energy during T20 internationals.
“It’s hard to play a T20 without momentum, and to win in T20 cricket you need a batter to provide that momentum,” Perera said during the post-match conference.
“There are a lot of young players in the squad, and what I’ve told them is you have to start learning now how to handle uncomfortable situations. Bowlers aren’t going to bowl how you like, they’re going to analyse you and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. We need to be smart in those situations.”
Perera revealed that the key to Sri Lanka’s success, on the day, was every single batter going out to bat with a positive mindset.
Earlier New Zealand had won the toss and put Sri Lanka to bat first where the islanders posted 196-5, thanks to Charith Asalanka’s top knock of 67 off 41 balls.
Kusal Perera (53), Kusal Mendis (25) and Wanindu Hasaranga (21) also played fine hands to help the tourists post a healthy 196 on the board.
In response, New Zealand lost both openers in the first two overs, but Tom Latham (27) and Daryll Mitchell (66) then shared a 63-run partnership.
Despite losing wickets, New Zealand found boundaries with regularity and stayed within touching distance of the target.
With 7 runs required to win off the last ball Ish Sodhi smashed a six-over deep mid-wicket to take the match into a super over.
In the super over New Zealand mustered just eight runs from their over, and it took the Sri Lankans just half their allotted six to get the job done as Charith Asalanka cleared the ropes from an Adam Milne slower ball and then ramped the next for four more.
“I went ahead with a positive mindset, I wasn’t thinking about how long I had been out. Likewise, all the other batters also went out with a positive mindset, and that’s how we managed to capitalise on the conditions,” Perera further added.
The knock on Sunday was Perera’s first T20I fifty in three years, and while he was satisfied with his showing, the veteran claimed that there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
“Of course being out there in the middle and playing, I’m very happy with my performance. More than that I’m happy that the team won. That said I know there’s room for improvement and that will only come as I improve my match rhythm.”
KJP තරුණයන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් ක්රීඩා කරන ලෙසයි
ශ්රී ලංකාව සුපිරි ඕවරය හරහා ජයග්රහණය කළ පළමු විස්සයි20 තරගයෙන් පසුව කුසල් පෙරේරාගේ ප්රතිඵලය, සවුත්පාව් තම සගයන්ගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටියේ විස්සයි20 ජාත්යන්තර තරගවලදී වැඩි ශක්තියකින් ක්රීඩා කරන ලෙසයි.
“වේගයක් නොමැතිව T20 ක්රීඩා කිරීම දුෂ්කර ය, T20 ක්රිකට් ජයග්රහණය කිරීමට ඔබට එම වේගය ලබා දීමට පිතිකරුවෙකු අවශ්ය වේ,” පෙරේරා තරගයෙන් පසු සමුළුව අතරතුර පැවසීය.
“සංචිතයේ තරුණ ක්රීඩකයින් විශාල ප්රමාණයක් සිටින අතර, මම ඔවුන්ට පැවසූ දෙය නම්, ඔබ දැන් ඉගෙනීමට පටන් ගත යුතු අපහසුතාවයන් සමඟ කටයුතු කරන්නේ කෙසේද යන්නයි. පන්දු යවන්නන් ඔබ කැමති ආකාරයට පන්දු යැවීමට යන්නේ නැත, ඔවුන් ඔබව විශ්ලේෂණය කර ඔබේ ශක්තීන් සහ දුර්වලතා පිළිබඳව දැනුවත් වනු ඇත. එවැනි අවස්ථාවලදී අපි බුද්ධිමත් විය යුතුයි.”
ශ්රී ලංකා කණ්ඩායමේ ජයග්රහණයේ ප්රධානතම හේතුව වූයේ සෑම පිතිකරුවෙක්ම ධනාත්මක චින්තනයකින් පිතිකරණයට යාම බව පෙරේරා අනාවරණය කළේය.
මීට පෙර කාසියේ වාසිය දිනූ නවසීලන්ත කණ්ඩායම ප්රථමයෙන් පන්දුවට පහර දීමට ශ්රී ලංකා පිලට ඇරයුම් කළ අතර එහිදී ලකුණු 196-5ක් ලබා ගත් චරිත් අසලංක පන්දු 41කදී ලකුණු 67ක් රැස් කළේය.
කුසල් පෙරේරා (53), කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස් (25) සහ වනිඳු හසරංග (21) ද හොඳින් ක්රීඩා කරමින් සංචාරක ක්රීඩකයින් හට සෞඛ්ය සම්පන්න ලකුණු 196 ක් ලබා ගැනීමට උපකාර කළහ.
පිළිතුරු ලෙස නවසීලන්ත පිලට පළමු ඕවර දෙකේදී ආරම්භක පිතිකරුවන් දෙදෙනාම අහිමි වූ නමුත් පසුව ටොම් ලේතම් (27) සහ ඩැරල් මිචෙල් (66) ලකුණු 63 ක සම්බන්ධතාවක් ගොඩනැගූහ.
කඩුලු දැවී ගියද නවසීලන්තය විධිමත් ලෙස සීමා මායිම් සොයා ගනිමින් ඉලක්කයට ළඟා විය හැකි දුරින් රැඳී සිටියේය.
අවසන් පන්දුවේදී ජයග්රහණය සඳහා ලකුණු 7ක් අවශ්යව තිබියදී ඉෂ් සෝදි ඕවර හයේ ඩීප් මිඩ් විකට් එකක් දවාලමින් තරගය සුපිරි ඕවරයකට රැගෙන ගියේය.
සුපිරි ඕවරයේදී නවසීලන්ත පිලට ඔවුන්ගේ ඕවරයෙන් රැස්කර ගත හැකි වූයේ ලකුණු 8ක් පමණක් වූ අතර, චරිත් අසලංක ඇඩම් මිල්න්ගේ මන්දගාමී පන්දුවකින් ලණු ඉවත් කර ඊළඟ පන්දුව තවත් හතරකට වේගවත් කළ බැවින් කාර්යය ඉටු කිරීමට ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රීඩකයන්ට ගත වූයේ ඔවුන්ගේ නියමිත හයේ භාගයක් පමණි. .
“මම ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් ඉදිරියට ගියා. මම කොච්චර වෙලාවක් එළියට ගියාද කියලා හිතුවේ නැහැ. ඒ වගේම අනෙක් සියලුම පිතිකරුවන් ධනාත්මක මානසිකත්වයකින් එළියට ගියා. අපි කොන්දේසි වලින් ප්රයෝජන ගත්තෙ එහෙමයි,” පෙරේරා වැඩිදුරටත් පැවසීය. එකතු කළා.
ඉරිදා එල්ල වූ පහර වසර තුනකට පසු පෙරේරාගේ පළමු විස්සයි20 අර්ධ ශතකය වූ අතර, ඔහුගේ දස්කම් ගැන ඔහු සෑහීමකට පත්වන අතර, ප්රවීණයා කියා සිටියේ වැඩිදියුණු කිරීමට තවමත් ඕනෑ තරම් ඉඩ ඇති බවයි.
“ඇත්තෙන්ම මැද්දේ එළියේ ඉඳලා ක්රීඩා කරනවා, මගේ දක්ෂතාවය ගැන මම ගොඩක් සතුටු වෙනවා. ඊට වඩා කණ්ඩායම දිනපු එක ගැන මම සතුටු වෙනවා. ඒ කිව්වේ මම දන්නවා දියුණු වෙන්න ඉඩක් තියෙනවා කියලා. මම මගේ දියුණුවට පස්සේ තමයි ඒක එන්නේ කියලා. රිද්මයට ගැලපේ.”
இளைஞர்கள் நேர்மறை எண்ணத்துடன் விளையாட வேண்டும் என்று KJP கேட்டுக்கொள்கிறது
சூப்பர் ஓவர் மூலம் இலங்கை வென்ற முதல் T20I இன் குசல் பெரேராவின் பின்விளைவு, தென்பாகம் T20 சர்வதேசப் போட்டிகளில் அதிக ஆற்றலுடன் விளையாடுமாறு தனது அணியினரை வலியுறுத்தினார்.
“வேகம் இல்லாமல் டி20 விளையாடுவது கடினம், டி20 கிரிக்கெட்டில் வெற்றி பெற அந்த வேகத்தை வழங்க உங்களுக்கு ஒரு பேட்டர் தேவை” என்று போட்டிக்கு பிந்தைய மாநாட்டின் போது பெரேரா கூறினார்.
“அணியில் நிறைய இளம் வீரர்கள் உள்ளனர், நான் அவர்களிடம் கூறியது என்னவென்றால், சங்கடமான சூழ்நிலைகளை எவ்வாறு கையாள்வது என்பதை நீங்கள் இப்போது கற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும். பந்து வீச்சாளர்கள் நீங்கள் விரும்பும் விதத்தில் பந்துவீசப் போவதில்லை, அவர்கள் உங்களைப் பகுப்பாய்வு செய்து உங்கள் பலம் மற்றும் பலவீனங்களை அறிந்து கொள்ளப் போகிறார்கள். இதுபோன்ற சூழ்நிலைகளில் நாம் புத்திசாலித்தனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும்.”
இலங்கையின் வெற்றிக்கான திறவுகோல், அன்றைய தினம், ஒவ்வொரு பேட்டரும் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் பேட்டிங் செய்யச் செல்வதே என்று பெரேரா வெளிப்படுத்தினார்.
முன்னதாக நியூசிலாந்து டாஸ் வென்று இலங்கையை முதலில் பேட் செய்ய வைத்தது, அங்கு தீவுவாசிகள் 196-5 ரன்களை எடுத்தனர், சரித் அசலங்காவின் அதிகபட்ச 41 பந்துகளில் 67 ரன்களுக்கு நன்றி.
குசல் பெரேரா (53), குசல் மெண்டிஸ் (25) மற்றும் வனிந்து ஹசரங்க (21) ஆகியோரும் சிறப்பாக விளையாடி சுற்றுலாப் பயணிகளுக்கு ஆரோக்கியமான 196 ரன்களை எடுக்க உதவினார்கள்.
பதிலுக்கு, நியூசிலாந்து முதல் இரண்டு ஓவர்களில் இரு தொடக்க ஆட்டக்காரர்களையும் இழந்தது, ஆனால் டாம் லாதம் (27) மற்றும் டேரில் மிட்செல் (66) பின்னர் 63 ரன்கள் பார்ட்னர்ஷிப்பைப் பகிர்ந்து கொண்டனர்.
விக்கெட்டுகளை இழந்த போதிலும், நியூசிலாந்து வழக்கமான எல்லைகளை கண்டது மற்றும் இலக்கை தொடும் தூரத்தில் இருந்தது.
கடைசி பந்தில் வெற்றிக்கு 7 ரன்கள் தேவை என்ற நிலையில், இஷ் சோதி சிக்ஸர் ஓவரில் டீப் மிட் விக்கெட்டை அடித்து ஆட்டத்தை சூப்பர் ஓவருக்கு கொண்டு சென்றார்.
சூப்பர் ஓவரில் நியூசிலாந்து தனது ஓவரில் வெறும் 8 ரன்களை மட்டுமே எடுத்தது, மேலும் சரித் அசலங்கா ஆடம் மில்னே ஸ்லோயர் பந்தில் இருந்து கயிற்றை துடைத்ததால், அடுத்ததை மேலும் நான்கு ரன்களுக்கு உயர்த்தியதால், அந்த வேலையைச் செய்ய இலங்கை வீரர்கள் அவர்களுக்கு ஒதுக்கப்பட்ட சிக்ஸரில் பாதி மட்டுமே தேவைப்பட்டது. .
“நான் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் முன்னேறினேன், எவ்வளவு நேரம் நான் அவுட்டாக இருந்தேன் என்பதைப் பற்றி நான் யோசிக்கவில்லை. அதேபோல், மற்ற அனைத்து பேட்டர்களும் நேர்மறையான மனநிலையுடன் வெளியேறினர், அதனால்தான் நாங்கள் நிலைமைகளைப் பயன்படுத்திக் கொள்ள முடிந்தது,” பெரேரா மேலும் கூறினார். சேர்க்கப்பட்டது.
ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை அடித்தது பெரேராவின் மூன்று ஆண்டுகளில் முதல் T20I அரைசதம் ஆகும், மேலும் அவர் தனது காட்சியில் திருப்தி அடைந்தபோது, முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு இன்னும் நிறைய இடங்கள் இருப்பதாக மூத்த வீரர் கூறினார்.
“நிச்சயமாக நடுவில் வெளியே இருந்து விளையாடி, எனது செயல்திறனில் நான் மிகவும் மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். அதைவிட அணி வெற்றி பெற்றதில் நான் மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். அதில் முன்னேற்றத்திற்கு இடம் இருக்கிறது என்று எனக்குத் தெரியும், நான் என்னை மேம்படுத்தினால் மட்டுமே அது வரும். மேட்ச் ரிதம்.”
News
IOC Orders Sri Lanka Olympic Body to Conduct Long-Pending Elections by April 2026
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally instructed the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) to conduct its overdue Annual General Meeting (AGM) and quadrennial elections no later than the end of April 2026, bringing clarity to a prolonged period of administrative uncertainty within the country’s Olympic movement.
In a letter dated 12 January 2026 addressed to NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam, the IOC acknowledged that a forensic audit into the committee’s financial and governance practices is still ongoing. However, the IOC clearly stated that the audit process cannot be used as justification to delay the AGM and elections indefinitely.
The global Olympic body emphasized that the electoral process must be carried out strictly in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the IOC-approved Constitution of the NOCSL. It further reiterated that individuals currently under investigation or subject to sanctions are not permitted to participate in NOCSL activities, attend the General Assembly, or contest elected positions until cleared.
Until the completion of the elections, the IOC, in consultation with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), will continue to recognize the current Executive Board led by Subramaniam for the purpose of handling day-to-day administrative and operational matters.
Subramaniam has previously stated that the present leadership remains in office only until formal guidance is received from the IOC, adding that he does not intend to extend his tenure beyond the prescribed term.
According to the NOCSL Executive Board, several procedural and governance-related requirements must be completed prior to convening the AGM. These include the approval of the 2026 budget and the submission of the Auditor General’s report for the 2024 financial year. The forensic audit, covering the period from 2015 to 2024, was initiated following disciplinary action taken against former Secretary General Maxwell De Silva, which included a five-year ban and financial penalties imposed on the NOC.
In its correspondence, the IOC requested that the contents of the letter be shared with all member federations to ensure transparency and open communication. The IOC also expressed hope that the audit process would be concluded in the near future, enabling the NOCSL to restore confidence and credibility within both the domestic and international sporting community.
With the IOC now setting a firm deadline, stakeholders across Sri Lanka’s sports sector are awaiting confirmation of an election schedule. The IOC has made it clear that the electoral process must be completed “as soon as possible, and by the end of April 2026 at the latest,” marking a critical step toward resolving governance issues within the country’s Olympic administration.
Cricket
Sandeepani’s Star Turn Propels Team Blues to Convincing Victory
Sathya Sandeepani produced an outstanding all-round performance as Team Blues registered a commanding 70-run victory over Team Red in the Women’s National Super League T20 tournament at the Thurstan College Ground yesterday.
Asked to bat first, Team Blues suffered an early setback, slipping to 20 for 3 within the first three overs. Sandeepani then steadied the innings with a composed and unbeaten knock of 50 from 44 deliveries, striking five boundaries and a six. Her calm presence at the crease proved crucial in rebuilding the innings.
Sandeepani received valuable support from Ama Kanchana, who scored 41, and Shayani Senarathna, who contributed 25, as Team Blues recovered to post a competitive total of 134 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Extras added a further seven runs, pushing the target beyond Team Red’s reach.
For Team Red, Chamodi Prabodha Munasinghe was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs. Pramudhi Methsara and Aseni Thalagune picked up one wicket each but were unable to prevent Team Blues from setting a challenging total.
In reply, Team Red’s chase never gained momentum. Dewmi Vihanga led the bowling attack with figures of 3 for 11, while Sandeepani continued her impressive outing by returning 2 for 8. Nethmi Sanjana’s four-wicket haul completed the rout as Team Red were bowled out for just 64 runs.
In the day’s other fixture, Team Greys secured a convincing 35-run victory over Team Green. Batting first, Team Greys posted 132 for 6, with Vishmi Gunarathne anchoring the innings with a fluent 56 and Imesha Dulani adding a valuable 40.
The bowling effort was shared effectively, with Sugandika Kumari and Nimasha Madushani claiming two wickets apiece to apply pressure during the chase.
Team Green struggled in response and were dismissed for 97 in 19.4 overs. Oshadi Ranasinghe top-scored with 21, but lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. Inoshi Fernando starred with the ball, taking 4 for 14, while Sanduni Nisansala provided excellent support with three wickets.
The results further highlighted the competitive nature of the Women’s National Super League T20, with several players delivering match-defining performances across both fixtures.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Announce Dasun Shanaka-Led Squad for Pakistan T20 Series
Sri Lanka have announced a strong and well-balanced squad led by Dasun Shanaka for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Pakistan, which is set to begin tomorrow in Dambulla.
The selection reflects a blend of experience and emerging talent, as the selectors look to combine stability with attacking intent in the shortest format. Shanaka will continue to lead the side, with his leadership, calm decision-making, and power-hitting expected to play a central role in Sri Lanka’s campaign.
The batting unit features depth and versatility. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provide options at the top of the order, while Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera bring proven international experience and match-winning ability to the middle order. Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka add further flexibility, offering the ability to adapt their roles according to match situations.
Sri Lanka’s all-round strength remains a key asset, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, and Shanaka himself providing balance to the side. Hasaranga, in particular, is expected to play a decisive role with both bat and ball, especially during the middle overs.
The bowling attack offers a strong mix of spin and pace. Maheesh Theekshana’s variations will be vital on home surfaces, supported by Dushan Hemantha and Wellalage. The pace department is bolstered by the presence of Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, and Traveen Mathew, giving Sri Lanka a range of options in terms of speed, movement, and death-over execution.
Janith Liyanage provides additional batting cover, while the overall squad depth allows the team flexibility to rotate players and manage workloads across the series.
With home advantage on their side, Sri Lanka will be aiming to make a strong start and build momentum against a competitive Pakistan side as preparations continue for future international assignments.
Sri Lanka T20 Squad vs Pakistan
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Maling
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