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Kusal Mendis Heroics set up Dambulla Aura’s thrilling win at Lanka Premier League
Kusal Mendis’s 46-ball 87 set up Dambulla Aura’s thrilling 10 runs win over Colombo Strikers in the eighth match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 worked off at Pallekele international stadium on Saturday (5).
After being invited to bat first, Dambulla Aura was struck with an early blow when they lost the wicket of Avishka Fernando cheaply.
However, despite a shaky start, Dambulla revived their innings with a clinical 120-run partnership between captain Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama for the second wicket.
Skipper Kusal Mendis leading from the front scored 87 off 46 before falling to Naseem Shah, while Samarawickrama scored 59 runs from 35 balls as both fell in successive overs.
At one stage it looked like Dambulla could go past the 200-run mark but a tight bowling effort towards the death overs denied such an opportunity as they were restricted to 192/6.
During the chase, Colombo Strikers were off to a similar start when they lost the first wicket that of their skipper Niroshan Dickwella with just 17 runs on the board.
Following an early breakthrough Pakistan star Babar Azam joined Pathum Nissanka in the middle and revived their innings to a certain extent with a 62-run partnership for the second wicket but it was cut short when Babar Azam was trapped LBW off Noor Ahmed’s bowling.
His partner Nissanka too failed to hang on as he departed for 22 runs.
With both st batters back in the pavilion Colombo strikers desperately needed someone to step up and change gears to aggressive mode was what exactly Nuwanindu Fernando did as he hammered unbeaten 56-runs which featured four boundaries and as many sixes to almost taking his team over the line.
Fernando glimmered a ray of hope for the Strikers to pull off the run chase with belligerent hitting but his efforts came up as his side succumbed to a 10-run defeat.
In the bowling front, Noor Ahmad claimed 2/34 while Dhananjaya de Silva and Hayden Kerr shared a wicket among them.
*Wanindu Hasaranga shine in B-Love Kandy’s thumping win over Jaffna Kings *
Meanwhile, in the other match played under lights between B-Love Kandy and Jaffna Kings, the latter thrashed defending champions by 8 wickets.
An all-round show by skipper Wanidu Hasaranga highlighted B-Love Kandy thumping win against three times Champions Jaffna Kings at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Wanidu Hasaranga was named player of the match for his unbeaten 52 off 22 balls, 4-0-09-3 and two catches.
*Brief Scores: *
*Dambulla Aura vs Colombo Strikers *
Dambulla Aura 192/6 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 87, Sadeera Samarawickrema 59; Naseem Shah 2-29, Chamika Karunaratne 1-55, Matheesha Pathirana 3-31) beat Colombo Strikers 182/4 in 20 overs (Barbar Azam 41, Pathum Nissnaka 22, Nuwanidu Fernando 56, Chamika Karunaratne 20; Hayden Kerr 1-27, Dhananjaya de Silva 1-25, Noor Ahamad 2-34) by ten runs
B-Love Kandy Vs Jaffna Kings
Jaffna Kings 117/9 in 20 overs (David Miller 21, Priyamal Perera 22, Dunith Wellalage 38; Angelo Mathews 2-08, Wanidu Hasarana 3-09, Isuru Udana 1-17, Nuwan Pradeep 3-36) lost to B Love Kandy 118/2 in 13 overs (Fakhar Zaman 42, Dinesh Chandimal 22, Wanidu Hasaranga 52; Maheesh Theekshana 1-35, Nandre Burger 1-17) by eight wickets
ලංකා ප්රිමියර් ලීග් තරඟාවලියේ කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස්ගේ දස්කම් නිසා දඹුල්ල කණ්ඩායමට තියුණු ජයක්.
2023 ලංකා ප්රිමියර් ලීග් (LPL) තරඟාවලියේ 8 වන තරඟයෙන් සෙනසුරාදා (5) පල්ලෙකැලේ ජාත්යන්තර ක්රීඩාංගනයේ දී ක්රියාත්මක වූ කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස්ගේ පන්දු 46 කදී ලකුණු 87 කින් දඹුල්ල අවුරා පිල කලම්බු ස්ට්රයිකර්ස් පිලට එරෙහිව ලකුණු 10 ක තියුණු ජයක් ලැබීය.
පළමුවෙන් පන්දුවට පහරදීමට ආරාධනා කිරීමෙන් අනතුරුව අවිශ්ක ප්රනාන්දුගේ කඩුල්ල දැවී යාමත් සමග දඹුල්ල අවුරා පිලට තරඟය ආරම්භයේදීම අපහසු විය.
කෙසේ වෙතත් ආරම්භය දෙදරා ගියද දඹුල්ල කණ්ඩායම සිය ඉනිමට පණ දුන්නේ නායක කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස් සහ සධීර සමරවික්රම එක්ව දෙවැනි කඩුල්ල සඳහා ලකුණු 120ක සබඳතාවක් ගොඩනැගූ බැවිනි.
එක් අවස්ථාවකදී දඹුල්ල පිලට ලකුණු 200 සීමාව පසුකර යා හැකි බව පෙනුනද, අවසන් ඕවරය දක්වා දැඩි පන්දු යැවීමක නිරත වීම නිසා ඔවුන් ලකුණු 192/6කට සීමා වීම නිසා එම අවස්ථාව අහිමි විය.
හඹා යාමේදී කලම්බු ස්ට්රයිකර්ස් පිලේ නායක නිරෝෂන් දික්වැල්ලගේ පළමු කඩුල්ල ලකුණු 17ක් පමණක් ලබා සිටියදී දැවී යන විටත් එවැනිම ආරම්භයක් ලබාගෙන සිටියේය.
ආරම්භක පිතිහරඹයකින් පසුව, පැතුම් නිශ්ශංක සමඟින් එක්ව දෙවැනි කඩුල්ලට ලකුණු 62ක සබඳතාවක් ගොඩනැගූ පාකිස්තානු ක්රීඩක බබාර් අසාම්, නූර් අහමඩ්ගේ පන්දුවකට කඩුල්ල මුවා කිරීමකට හසුවූ බබාර් අසාම් දැවී යාමත් සමඟින් ඔවුන්ගේ ඉනිම තරමක් දුරට අඩාල තත්වයකට පත් විය.
නුවනිඳු ප්රනාන්දු හතරේ පහර 4ක් සහ හයේ පහරවල් රැසක් සමඟින් නොදැවී ලකුණු 56ක් ලබා තම කණ්ඩායම උඩට ගෙන යාමටයි.
ප්රනාන්දු සටන්කාමී පහරවල් සමඟින් ලකුණු හඹා යාම සාර්ථක කර ගැනීමට ස්ට්රයිකර්ස් වෙත බලාපොරොත්තුවේ කිරණක් දැල්වූ නමුත් ඔහුගේ ප්රයත්නය ඉවත ගියේ ඔහුගේ කණ්ඩායම ලකුණු 10ක පරාජයකට පත්වීමත් සමඟය.
පන්දු යැවීමේ පෙරමුණේ නූර් අහමඩ් 2/34 ට හිමිකම් කියූ අතර ධනංජය ද සිල්වා සහ හේඩ්න් කර් ඔවුන් අතර කඩුල්ලක් බෙදා ගත්හ.
B-Love Kandy වෙතින් යාපනය කිංග්ස් පරදා වනිඳු හසරංග විශිෂ්ට ජයක්
මේ අතර, බී-ලව් මහනුවර සහ යාපනය කිංග්ස් අතර ආලෝකය යටතේ පැවැති අනෙක් තරගයෙන් කඩුලු 8 කින් වත්මන් ශූරයන් පරාජය කිරීමට අවසන් මහා ක්රීඩකයෝ සමත් වූහ.
නායක වනිදු හසරංග විසින් පල්ලෙකැලේ ජාත්යන්තර ක්රිකට් ක්රීඩාංගණයේදී තුන් වතාවක් ශූරයන් වූ යාපනය කිංග්ස් කණ්ඩායමට එරෙහිව B-Love Kandy හි පෙරළිකාර ජයග්රහණය ඉස්මතු කරන ලදී.
පන්දු 22කදී නොදැවී ලකුණු 52ක්, 4-0-09-3ක් සහ උඩපන්දු දෙකක් ලබාගත් වනිදු හසරංග තරගයේ වීරයා ලෙස නම් කෙරිණි.
සංක්ෂිප්ත ලකුණු:
දඹුල්ල අවුරා vs Colombo Strikers
දඹුල්ල අවුරා ඕවර 20 කදී 192/6 (කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස් 87, සධීර සමරවික්රම 59; නසීම් ෂා 2-29, චාමික කරුණාරත්න 1-55, මතීෂ පතිරණ 3-31) කලම්බු ස්ට්රයිකර්ස් 3-31, කලම්බු ස්ට්රයිකර්ස් 182/4 පැරදවීම ඕවර 20, පත්තම් නිස්නක 22, නුවනිදු ප්රනාන්දු 56, චාමික කරුණාරත්න 20, හේඩ්න් කර් 1-27, ධනංජය ද සිල්වා 1-25, නූර් අහමඩ් 2-34) ලකුණු දහයකින්
B-Love Kandy Vs Jaffna Kings
යාපනය කිංග්ස් ඕවර 20 කදී 117/9 (ඩේවිඩ් මිලර් 21, ප්රියමාල් පෙරේරා 22, දුනිත් වෙල්ලාලගේ 38; ඇන්ජලෝ මැතිව්ස් 2-08, වනිදු හසරණ 3-09, ඉසුරු උදාන 1-17, නුවන් ප්රදීප් 3-36) බී ලව් හමුවේ පරාජයට පත්විය. මහනුවර ඕවර 13 කදී 118/2 (ෆකාර් සමාන් 42, දිනේෂ් චන්දිමාල් 22, වනිදු හසරංග 52; මහේෂ් තීක්ෂණ 1-35, නන්ද්රේ බර්ගර් 1-17) කඩුලු 8 කින්
Football
Sri Lanka Women Finish Qualifiers with 0 Goals, 20 Conceded – Who Will Take Responsibility?
Colombo, July 3 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team wrapped up their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a third straight defeat — a 2-0 loss to Laos — confirming their position at the bottom of Group F, with 0 wins, 0 goals scored, and 18 conceded in just three games.
But beyond the scorelines lies a far more serious issue: a complete collapse of women’s football development in Sri Lanka. And this time, the blame does not lie on one individual — but on a system that has failed the sport, from top to bottom.

Match-by-Match Recap
Match 1: Sri Lanka 0 – 10 Uzbekistan
- Possession: 30%
- Shots on Target: 0
- xG: 0.0 vs Uzbekistan’s 3.60
- A game that exposed a lack of preparation, structure, and fitness from the very start.
Match 2: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal
- Possession: 50%
- Defensive errors gifted goals, including a hat-trick by Sabitra Bhandari.
- xG: Nepal 3.76 vs Sri Lanka 0.60
- Tactical breakdown: Midfield collapsed under pressure, backline failed to close space.
Match 3: Sri Lanka 0 – 2 Laos
- Possession: 50%
- Shots on Target: 5
- xG: 2.56 (Laos) vs 1.08 (Sri Lanka)
- A more balanced performance, but defensive lapses in the 73rd and 90+2 minutes led to defeat. Sri Lanka couldn’t convert chances despite their best game statistically.
Final Group Standings – Group F
Team | MP | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇳🇵 Nepal | 2 | 17 | 0 | +17 | 6 |
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 2 | 17 | 0 | +17 | 6 |
🇱🇦 Laos | 2 | 2 | 16 | -14 | 0 |
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | 3 | 0 | 20 | -20 | 0 |
Tactical Issues Across All Matches
- No clear formation or transition play.
- Lack of defensive coordination — players failed to track runners, especially on the flanks.
- No attacking identity — only 1.08 xG across three games.
- In-game management absent — few substitutions or tactical shifts despite being outplayed.
While public criticism often targets the President of the Football Federation, this decline in women’s football runs deeper:
Who Is Accountable? Not Just the President
Women’s Football Committee:
- Failed to organize any domestic tournament in recent years.
- Selected the squad via open trials, with no league performance data to back selections.
- No consistent training camps or fitness programs.
Executive Committee:
- Remains silent on the recurring failures.
- No inquiries, reviews, or structural reforms have followed Sri Lanka’s repeated humiliations — including the U20 Women’s SAFF defeat earlier this year.
Technical & Development Staff:
- No tactical framework or youth development.
- No modern coaching methods or international exposure for players.
The Bigger Problem: Silence and Stagnation
Sri Lanka is not just losing matches — it’s losing direction. The current state of women’s football is not the result of one bad campaign. It’s the product of years of neglect, political appointments, and a failure to treat women’s football with equal priority.
Even now, there is no explanation from the Executive Committee on how the women’s team was prepared or what plans exist for recovery.
Time for a Reset, Not Excuses
If Sri Lanka is serious about competing in international football, the following must be addressed:
- ✅ A national women’s league
- ✅ Provincial and school-level competitions
- ✅ Professional coaching staff and structured fitness programs
- ✅ Regular international friendlies and camps
- ✅ Transparent selection processes based on performance, not politics
🔚 Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s 2026 AFC campaign should not just be remembered for the scorelines — but as a call for change. It is time for every stakeholder — from the Women’s Committee to the Executive — to reflect, respond, and rebuild.
News
Sri Lanka Set to Face UAE in Crucial Rugby Clash Tomorrow in Colombo
The Sri Lanka national rugby team will lock horns with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a much-anticipated international rugby encounter set to take place today (July 4) at the iconic Racecourse Ground, Colombo.
As part of their final preparations, the Sri Lankan team held an intensive training session today under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. The team looked sharp, focused, and ready to bring their A-game to home soil.
This clash promises to be a key test for the Tuskers as they look to strengthen their footing in the regional rugby scene and gain momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions. UAE, a rising force in Asian rugby, will also be eyeing a big performance away from home.
Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, and the match is anticipated to draw significant interest from local fans eager to witness top-tier rugby action.
📍 Match Info
🗓️ Date: July 4, 2025
📍 Venue: Racecourse Rugby Grounds, Colombo
🕒 Kick-off: TBA
Stay tuned for live updates, photos, and post-match coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Football
Sri Lanka Women Crushed 8-0 by Nepal in AFC Qualifiers – Tactical Collapse Raises Alarm
Colombo, July 2 – Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered another brutal defeat in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, going down 8-0 to a confident and clinical Nepalese side. Coming just days after a 10-0 hammering by Uzbekistan, this latest loss highlights deeper tactical, technical, and structural issues within Sri Lanka’s women’s football system.
Full-Time Score: Sri Lanka 0 – 8 Nepal
Half-Time: 0 – 4
Venue: Group F – AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Key Match Statistics
Stat | Sri Lanka Women | Nepal Women |
---|---|---|
Possession | 50% | 50% |
Total Shots | 4 | 26 |
Shots on Target | 3 | 18 |
Shots off Target | 1 | 8 |
Expected Goals (xG) | 0.60 | 3.76 |
Corners | 0 | 14 |
Fouls | 4 | 6 |
Cards | 0 | 0 |
Offsides | 0 | 3 |
Tactical Breakdown – Why Sri Lanka Lost 8-0
Despite the possession being even at 50%, Sri Lanka was thoroughly outplayed. This is a classic case where possession stats mislead the reality on the pitch.
1. Poor Defensive Organization
- Sri Lanka conceded 14 corners and 18 shots on target, indicating that Nepal constantly penetrated both flanks and delivered into the box unchallenged.
- There was no compact defensive line, and Nepal exploited space behind Sri Lanka’s fullbacks repeatedly.
2. Ineffective Midfield Structure
- While Sri Lanka held possession equally, it was largely passive and in non-threatening zones.
- Nepal, on the other hand, converted their possession into 3.76 xG, showing how effective and vertical their transitions were.
3. Repeated Failures in Closing Down Key Players
- Sabitra Bhandari scored a hat-trick within 26 minutes (14’, 36’, 40’) and was left unmarked multiple times.
- Nepal’s attackers were given space and time to shoot – evident from the 18 shots on target.
4. No Offensive Threat
- Sri Lanka managed only 4 shots in the entire game, with an xG of just 0.60.
- With no corners and no real pressing, the team offered nothing going forward, allowing Nepal to push numbers up comfortably.
Back-to-Back Heavy Losses: Structural Failures Exposed
This defeat comes after a 10-0 loss to Uzbekistan, meaning Sri Lanka has now conceded 18 goals in two matches without scoring once.
This isn’t just a reflection of players’ on-field performance — it’s a glaring indictment of:
- FFSL’s failure to conduct any women’s football league in years
- A rushed team selection based on a short trial, without competitive match practice
- No structured coaching program or international exposure
- Lack of scouting, fitness programs, and tactical planning
Nepal, though not an Asian powerhouse, had better coaching structure, player chemistry, and clear tactics, which led to their dominance.
What’s Next for Sri Lanka?
If the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and the Ministry of Sports continue to ignore these warning signs, Sri Lanka risks becoming irrelevant in women’s football on the Asian stage.
What’s needed:
- ✅ A proper national women’s league
- ✅ Regular youth-level competitions and scouting
- ✅ Appointing qualified coaching staff with modern tactical knowledge
- ✅ Consistent international exposure for players
Conclusion
An 8-0 defeat to Nepal isn’t just a bad result — it’s a mirror held up to a broken system. Unless real change is implemented beyond symbolic participation, these results will become Sri Lanka’s norm in women’s football.
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