News
Kusal Perera likely to miss Afghanistan series due to hamstring injury
Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023
Availability to be decided after scans
Wanindu Hasaranga picks up a knee injury during IPL
Dimuth Karunaratne added to the preliminary squad as an injury cover
Dashing batter Kusal Janith Perera is likely to miss the forthcoming Afghanistan ODI series after he picked up a hamstring injury during training.
His availability is on the line, as a decision on his availability for the series will be taken next week after he undergoes scans for his hamstring injury, sources at SLC revealed.
“KJP’s availability for the Afghanistan tour will be decided next week after undergoing scans for his hamstring injury. For now, he is likely to miss the series”, the source added.
Kusal Perera made his first appearance in international cricket following 16 months of recovery from a shoulder injury last month during the three-match T20 series against the Kiwis.
He made a strong comeback to competitive cricket with knocks of 53*, 35 and 35 against the Black Caps to prove his return in style. Frequent injuries have dealt a big blow to his career. However, this time around his injury seems to be a minor one from which hopefully he will recover within 1-2 weeks.
It is learnt, in order to manage his workload, he is likely to be rested for the Afghanistan Series and might consider him as a potential option for the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June and July.
The 32-year-old left-hander has already played 61 T-20 and 107 ODI’s and his vast experience has always been an added strength to the Sri Lanka white ball team. The hard-hitting stroke maker has the ability to accelerate the innings while occasionally keeping wickets.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has been dealt another major blow with Wanindu Hasaranga picking up an injury during the ongoing India Premier League (IPL) on his right knee.
Though Wanindu is still in India fulfilling his IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Sri Lanka Cricket board is yet to get a full update on his injury, which they hope to get within the next 2-3 days after which they will decide.
Earlier, certain media reported that Pathum Nissanka had injury concerns, but it is learnt that the 25-year-old has now fully recovered and is available for the upcoming series.
Dimuth Karunaratne added to the preliminary squad
In a major twist, red ball skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has been included in the preliminary squad for the World Cup qualification tournament and the Afghanistan team’s tour to Sri Lanka as injury cover.
The Sri Lankan selection committee recently named a preliminary squad for the one-day World Cup qualification tournament in Zimbabwe next month. Current Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne was not named in the thirty-man one-day squad.
However, reliable sources stated that due to injury concerns, Dimuth’s name had been included in the ODI squad again.
The last time Dimuth represented Sri Lanka in an ODI was in 2020 and was the captain of the national team.
උදරයේ ආබාධයක් හේතුවෙන් කුසල් පෙරේරාට ඇෆ්ගනිස්තාන තරගාවලිය අහිමි වීමට ඉඩ තිබේ
2023 ශ්රී ලංකාවේ ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථාන සංචාරය
තිබේද යන්න ස්කෑන් කිරීමෙන් පසුව තීරණය කළ යුතුය
IPL තරඟය අතරතුර වනිඳු හසරංග දණහිසේ ආබාධයකට ලක්වෙයි
දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න ආබාධ ආවරණයක් ලෙස මූලික සංචිතයට එක් කළේය
පුහුණුවීම් අතරතුර මස්පිඩුවල ආබාධයකට ලක්වීම හේතුවෙන් දක්ෂ පිතිකරු කුසල් ජනිත් පෙරේරාට එළඹෙන ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථාන එක්දින තරගාවලිය අහිමිවීමට බොහෝ දුරට ඉඩ තිබේ.
ඔහුගේ මස්පිඩු ආබාධය සඳහා ස්කෑන් පරීක්ෂණයකට භාජනය කිරීමෙන් පසු ඔහු තරඟාවලිය සඳහා ලබා ගත හැකිද යන්න පිළිබඳ තීරණයක් ලබන සතියේ ගනු ඇති බැවින් ඔහුගේ පැමිණීමේ හැකියාව පවතින බව ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රිකට් ආරංචි මාර්ග අනාවරණය කළේය.
“KJP ඇෆ්ගනිස්තාන සංචාරය සඳහා ලබා ගත හැකි ද යන්න තීරණය කරනු ලබන්නේ ඔහුගේ මස්පිඩු ආබාධය සඳහා ස්කෑන් පරීක්ෂණයකට භාජනය කිරීමෙන් පසුවය. මේ වන විට ඔහුට මාලාව මග හැරීමට බොහෝ දුරට ඉඩ තිබේ”, මූලාශ්රය වැඩිදුරටත් පැවසීය.
කුසල් පෙරේරා සිය පළමු ජාත්යන්තර ක්රිකට් පිටියට පිවිසියේ පසුගිය මාසයේ කිවීස් පිලට එරෙහිව පැවැති තරග තුනකින් සමන්විත විස්සයි20 තරගාවලියේදී උරහිසේ ආබාධයකට ලක්ව මාස 16කට පසුව සුවය ලැබීමෙන් පසුවය.
බ්ලැක් කැප්ස් කණ්ඩායමට එරෙහිව ලකුණු 53*, 35 සහ 35 දවා ගනිමින් ඔහු තරඟකාරී ක්රිකට් වෙත ප්රබල පුනරුත්ථාපනයක් සිදු කළේය. නිරන්තර ආබාධ ඔහුගේ වෘත්තීය ජීවිතයට විශාල පහරක් එල්ල කර ඇත. කෙසේ වෙතත්, මෙවර ඔහුගේ ආබාධය සුළු එකක් වන අතර, සති 1-2 කින් ඔහු සුව වනු ඇතැයි අපේක්ෂා කෙරේ.
ඔහුගේ කාර්ය භාරය කළමනාකරණය කිරීම සඳහා, ඔහු ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථාන තරඟාවලිය සඳහා විවේක ගැනීමට ඉඩ ඇති අතර, ජුනි සහ ජූලි මාසවලදී සිම්බාබ්වේ හි පැවැත්වෙන එක්දින ලෝක කුසලාන සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ තරඟ සඳහා විභව විකල්පයක් ලෙස ඔහු සලකා බැලිය හැකිය.
32 හැවිරිදි වමත් පිතිකරුවා මේ වන විටත් විස්සයි20 තරග 61කට සහ එක්දින තරග 107කට ක්රීඩා කර ඇති අතර ඔහුගේ අතිවිශාල අත්දැකීම් ශ්රී ලංකා වයිට්බෝල් කණ්ඩායමට සෑම විටම අමතර ශක්තියක් වී ඇත. දැඩි පහරක් එල්ල කරන පහර සාදන්නාට ඉඳහිට කඩුලු දවා ගනිමින් ඉනිම වේගවත් කිරීමේ හැකියාව ඇත.
මේ අතර, දැනට පැවැත්වෙන ඉන්දීය ප්රිමියර් ලීග් (IPL) තරගාවලිය අතරතුර වනිඳු හසරංගගේ දකුණු දණහිසේ ආබාධයකට ලක්වීමත් සමඟ ශ්රී ලංකාවට තවත් විශාල පහරක් එල්ල වී තිබේ.
වනිඳු රෝයල් චැලෙන්ජර්ස් බැංගලෝර් සමඟ IPL ගිවිසුම ඉටු කරමින් තවමත් ඉන්දියාවේ සිටියද, ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රිකට් පාලක මණ්ඩලය ඔහුගේ ආබාධය පිළිබඳව තවමත් සම්පූර්ණ යාවත්කාලීනයක් ලබාගෙන නොමැති අතර, ඔවුන් ඉදිරි දින 2-3 තුළ එය ලබා ගැනීමට බලාපොරොත්තු වන අතර පසුව ඔවුන් තීරණය කරනු ඇත.
පැතුම් නිශ්ශංක ආබාධයකට ලක්ව ඇති බවට මීට පෙර ඇතැම් මාධ්ය වාර්තා කළ නමුත් 25 හැවිරිදි ඔහු මේ වන විට සම්පූර්ණයෙන් සුවය ලබා ඉදිරි තරග මාලාවට සහභාගි වී සිටින බව දැනගන්නට ඇත.
දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න මූලික සංචිතයට එක් කළේය
ප්රධාන පෙරළියක් ලෙස රතු පන්දු නායක දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න ආබාධ ආවරණයක් ලෙස ලෝක කුසලාන සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ තරගාවලියේ සහ ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථාන කණ්ඩායමේ ශ්රී ලංකා සංචාරයේ මූලික සංචිතයට ඇතුළත් කර තිබේ.
ලබන මාසයේ සිම්බාබ්වේ හිදී පැවැත්වෙන එක්දින ලෝක කුසලාන සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ තරගාවලිය සඳහා ශ්රී ලංකා තේරීම් කමිටුව විසින් මූලික සංචිතයක් පසුගියදා නම් කරන ලදී. තිස් දෙනෙකුගෙන් යුත් එක්දින සංචිතයට වත්මන් ටෙස්ට් නායක දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න නම් කර නැහැ.
කෙසේ වෙතත්, විශ්වාස කටයුතු ආරංචි මාර්ග සඳහන් කළේ ආබාධ තත්ත්වය හේතුවෙන් දිමුත්ගේ නම නැවතත් එක්දින සංචිතයට ඇතුළත් කර ඇති බවයි.
දිමුත් අවසන් වරට ශ්රී ලංකාව එක්දින තරගයක් නියෝජනය කළේ 2020 දී වන අතර ජාතික කණ්ඩායමේ නායකයා විය.
தொடை காயம் காரணமாக குசல் பெரேரா ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் தொடரை இழக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது
இலங்கைக்கான ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் சுற்றுப்பயணம் 2023
ஸ்கேன் செய்த பிறகு கிடைக்கும் தன்மையை முடிவு செய்ய வேண்டும்
ஐபிஎல் போட்டியின் போது வனிந்து ஹசரங்க முழங்காலில் காயம் அடைந்தார்
திமுத் கருணாரத்ன காயம் மறைப்பாக ஆரம்ப அணியில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டார்
பயிற்சியின் போது தொடை தசையில் ஏற்பட்ட காயம் காரணமாக, டாஷிங் பேட்டர் குசல் ஜனித் பெரேரா, ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் ஒருநாள் தொடரை இழக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது.
அவரது தொடை எலும்பு காயத்திற்கு ஸ்கேன் செய்யப்பட்ட பிறகு அடுத்த வாரம் தொடரில் அவர் கிடைப்பது குறித்து முடிவு எடுக்கப்படும் என SLC இன் வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்தன.
“கேஜேபி ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் சுற்றுப்பயணத்தில் அவரது தொடை எலும்பு காயத்திற்கு ஸ்கேன் செய்த பிறகு அடுத்த வாரம் முடிவு செய்யப்படும். இப்போதைக்கு, அவர் தொடரை இழக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது” என்று அந்த வட்டாரம் மேலும் கூறியது.
குசல் பெரேரா கடந்த மாதம் கிவிஸுக்கு எதிரான மூன்று போட்டிகள் கொண்ட டி20 தொடரின் போது தோள்பட்டை காயத்திலிருந்து 16 மாதங்கள் குணமடைந்ததைத் தொடர்ந்து சர்வதேச கிரிக்கெட்டில் தனது முதல் தோற்றத்தை வெளிப்படுத்தினார்.
அவர் பிளாக் கேப்ஸுக்கு எதிராக 53*, 35 மற்றும் 35 ரன்களுடன் போட்டி கிரிக்கெட்டுக்கு வலுவான மறுபிரவேசம் செய்தார். அடிக்கடி ஏற்படும் காயங்கள் அவரது கேரியருக்கு பெரும் அடியாக அமைந்தது. இருப்பினும், இந்த நேரத்தில் அவரது காயம் சிறியதாகத் தெரிகிறது, அதில் இருந்து அவர் 1-2 வாரங்களுக்குள் குணமடைவார் என்று நம்புகிறேன்.
அவரது பணிச்சுமையை நிர்வகிப்பதற்காக, ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் தொடரில் அவருக்கு ஓய்வு அளிக்கப்படலாம் என்றும், ஜூன் மற்றும் ஜூலை மாதங்களில் ஜிம்பாப்வேயில் நடைபெறவுள்ள ஒருநாள் உலகக் கோப்பை தகுதிச் சுற்றுப் போட்டிகளுக்கு அவரை ஒரு சாத்தியமான தேர்வாகக் கருதலாம் என்றும் அறியப்படுகிறது.
32 வயதான இடது கை ஆட்டக்காரர் ஏற்கனவே 61 T-20 மற்றும் 107 ODI போட்டிகளில் விளையாடியுள்ளார் மற்றும் அவரது பரந்த அனுபவம் எப்போதும் இலங்கை வெள்ளை பந்து அணிக்கு கூடுதல் பலமாக உள்ளது. கடின அடிக்கும் ஸ்ட்ரோக் தயாரிப்பாளருக்கு எப்போதாவது விக்கெட் கீப்பிங் செய்யும் போது இன்னிங்ஸை விரைவுபடுத்தும் திறன் உள்ளது.
இதற்கிடையில், நடந்து வரும் இந்திய பிரீமியர் லீக் (ஐபிஎல்) போட்டியின் போது வனிந்து ஹசரங்காவின் வலது முழங்காலில் காயம் ஏற்பட்டதால் இலங்கைக்கு மற்றொரு பெரிய அடி ஏற்பட்டது.
வனிந்து ராயல் சேலஞ்சர்ஸ் பெங்களூரு உடனான தனது ஐபிஎல் ஒப்பந்தத்தை நிறைவேற்றி இன்னும் இந்தியாவில் இருக்கிறார் என்றாலும், இலங்கை கிரிக்கெட் வாரியம் அவரது காயம் குறித்து இன்னும் முழு புதுப்பிப்பைப் பெறவில்லை, அடுத்த 2-3 நாட்களுக்குள் அவர்கள் முடிவு செய்வார்கள் என்று அவர்கள் நம்புகிறார்கள்.
முன்னதாக, பாதம் நிஸ்ஸங்கவுக்கு காயம் இருப்பதாக சில ஊடகங்கள் செய்தி வெளியிட்டன, ஆனால் 25 வயதான அவர் தற்போது முழுமையாக குணமடைந்து வரவிருக்கும் தொடருக்கு தயாராக இருக்கிறார்.
திமுத் கருணாரத்ன முதற்கட்ட அணியில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டார்
ஒரு முக்கிய திருப்பமாக, சிவப்பு பந்து கேப்டன் திமுத் கருணாரத்ன உலகக் கோப்பை தகுதிப் போட்டிக்கான ஆரம்ப அணியிலும், காயம் மறைப்பாக ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் அணியின் இலங்கை சுற்றுப்பயணத்திலும் சேர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளார்.
அடுத்த மாதம் ஜிம்பாப்வேயில் நடைபெறவுள்ள ஒரு நாள் உலகக் கோப்பை தகுதிச் சுற்றுப் போட்டிக்கான பூர்வாங்க அணியை இலங்கை தேர்வுக் குழு சமீபத்தில் அறிவித்தது. முப்பது பேர் கொண்ட ஒருநாள் அணியில் தற்போதைய டெஸ்ட் கேப்டன் திமுத் கருணாரத்ன இடம் பெறவில்லை.
எனினும், காயம் காரணமாக திமுத்தின் பெயர் மீண்டும் ஒருநாள் அணியில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக நம்பகமான வட்டாரங்கள் தெரிவித்தன.
கடைசியாக 2020 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஒருநாள் போட்டியில் இலங்கையைப் பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்திய திமுத், தேசிய அணியின் தலைவராக இருந்தார்.
Cricket
England Begin Super Eights with Statement Win as Sri Lanka Falter in Chase
Sri Lanka’s Super Eight campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026 suffered a major blow in Kandy on Sunday, as co-hosts fell to a comprehensive 51-run defeat against England cricket team, leaving their semi-final prospects under pressure.
Electing to field first on a slow pitch at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka’s bowlers made early inroads and restricted England to 146/9, defending a modest total with a disciplined effort that saw several tight overs in the middle phase.
Phil Salt was the standout performer with the bat for England, anchoring their innings with a crucial 62 off 36 balls, while other batters struggled to accelerate.
However, it was England’s bowling and fielding — led by an impressive all-round showing from Will Jacks — that ultimately decided the contest. Jacks’ left-arm spin delivered a match-turning spell of 3/22 in four overs, and he also chipped in with vital lower-order runs that helped tilt the momentum fully in England’s favour.
“I thought we executed our plans really well with the ball,” Jacks said after being named Player of the Match. “We knew the conditions would be tough, and credit to our bowlers for sticking to their lengths and building pressure.”
Sri Lanka’s Chase Falls Apart
Chasing a target of 147, Sri Lanka never recovered from a top-order collapse. After losing early wickets in the Powerplay, the home side slumped to 34/5, leaving the middle and lower order with an uphill task.
Captain Dasun Shanaka was among the few who offered resistance, scoring a gritty 30, but there was little support around him as the innings deteriorated rapidly. Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for 95 in 16.4 overs, failing to adapt to England’s bowling pressure on a slow surface.
“It’s disappointing,” Shanaka said post-match. “We knew runs wouldn’t come easy, but we didn’t build partnerships. We let ourselves down in crucial moments.”
What It Means for Sri Lanka
England’s victory gives them a valuable boost in Super Eight Group 2, strengthening their bid for a semi-final spot. For Sri Lanka, the loss raises questions about their batting depth and ability to chase under pressure, especially after entering the Super Eights with solid momentum from the group stage.
With their next match looming, Sri Lanka must regroup quickly if they are to keep their World Cup ambitions alive on home soil.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Stunned by Zimbabwe Despite 178 as Bowling Falters in Colombo
Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as they went down to Zimbabwe by six wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium — a result few predicted before the first ball was bowled.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka posted what appeared to be a competitive 178/7. But defensive bowling and a lack of control in key moments allowed Zimbabwe to chase down 179 with three balls to spare, finishing on 182/4 in 19.3 overs.
Where Sri Lanka Lost the Game
Strong Start, Poor Finish with the Bat
Sri Lanka flew out of the blocks, scoring 61 runs in the Powerplay.
- Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a fluent 62 off 41 balls.
- The opening stand raced to 54 inside five overs.
However, momentum dipped sharply in the middle overs:
- Kusal Mendis struggled (14 off 20).
- The run rate slowed between overs 7–14.
- Despite a late push from Pavan Rathnayake (44 off 25), Sri Lanka managed only 28 runs in the final three overs.
From a position of dominance at 108/2, they could not push beyond the 185–190 mark — a total that, in hindsight, proved costly.
Failure to Strike Early with the Ball
Zimbabwe’s chase was built on a solid foundation:
- 55 runs in the Powerplay without losing a wicket.
- 69-run opening stand removed early pressure.
Sri Lanka never truly regained control.
The Raza–Bennett Counterattack
The turning point came when captain Sikandar Raza launched a brutal counterattack:
- 45 off 26 balls
- 4 sixes
- 50-run partnership in just 27 balls
Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly with an unbeaten 63 off 48.
Raza’s assault in overs 15–18 shifted the momentum completely, taking the game away from Sri Lanka just when it seemed evenly poised.
Bowling Concerns Under Lights
Sri Lanka’s bowling lacked penetration:
- Maheesh Theekshana conceded 47 in 3.3 overs (13.42 economy).
- No early breakthroughs from the seamers.
- Only one Powerplay wicket across both innings combined.
On a Colombo surface that slowed slightly, Zimbabwe adapted better, rotating strike efficiently before accelerating at the death.
Key Numbers That Hurt Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe Powerplay: 55/0
- Sri Lanka Powerplay wickets: 0
- Zimbabwe scored 150 in just 16.1 overs
- Sri Lanka conceded 9.33 runs per over in the chase
What This Means
Sri Lanka entered as favourites, especially batting first at home. But tactical lapses, middle-over stagnation, and expensive spells under pressure proved decisive.
Zimbabwe, disciplined with the ball and fearless in the chase, fully deserved their two points.
For Sri Lanka, questions now emerge:
- Is the bowling attack lacking bite?
- Are middle overs becoming a recurring concern?
- Was 178 ever going to be enough on this surface?
With tougher fixtures ahead in the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka must regroup quickly — because performances like this could derail their campaign early.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Sweats on Pathirana Injury; Hasaranga Comeback on the Cards
Sri Lanka’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has suffered a major setback, with fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana likely to miss the remainder of the tournament due to injury.
The 23-year-old sustained a calf injury during Sri Lanka’s Group B encounter against Australia on Monday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The incident occurred in his opening over when, after delivering the fourth ball, Pathirana suddenly pulled up clutching his left calf before collapsing to the ground in visible discomfort.
Team physiotherapists rushed onto the field as concerned teammates gathered around. The pacer was unable to leave the field without assistance, immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury. Captain Dasun Shanaka completed the over in his absence.
Shortly after, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that Pathirana would take no further part in the match. In a brief statement, SLC said the bowler had experienced discomfort in his left calf and would undergo medical scans for a full assessment.
Major Blow to Pace Attack
Initial indications suggest the injury could rule Pathirana out for the rest of the World Cup — a significant loss for Sri Lanka’s bowling unit. Known for his slingy action and deadly yorkers, especially at the death, Pathirana has been one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable T20 strike bowlers.
If ruled out, team management is expected to consider Dilshan Madushanka or Nuwan Thushara as potential replacements. While both offer pace and variety, replacing Pathirana’s unique skillset will be a challenge.
Hasaranga Return Under Discussion
In a parallel development, Sri Lanka are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Wanindu Hasaranga back into the squad as he continues recovery from a hamstring injury.
Although Hasaranga has not yet regained full match fitness, officials are said to be evaluating whether he could feature later in the tournament — particularly if Sri Lanka qualify for the Super Eight stage.
With their final group match effectively a dead rubber, Sri Lanka have a short window to reassess their injury situation and make strategic decisions. The team management is likely to wait for clearer medical reports before confirming any squad changes.
As the tournament enters a decisive phase, Sri Lanka’s hopes may depend as much on fitness updates as on performances on the field.
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Cricket1 year agoSri Lanka’s Greatest Cricketers: Top Batters and Bowlers of All Time
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Football1 year agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
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Football10 months agoSri Lanka Announces U19 Football Squad for SAFF Championship 2025

