News
Maheesh Theekshana admits thier batting cost them a spot in Super 8

Maheesh Theekshana has asserted that Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has been a complete disaster, as they are on the verge of elimination without even reaching the Super 8 stages. Despite being former champions, they were placed in Group D alongside South Africa and Bangladesh, and unfortunately lost to both teams in crucial matches. To make things worse, on June 12, their game against Nepal was abandoned due to rain without a single ball being bowled.
During the press conference held on Wednesday, Theekshana honestly evaluated the team’s performance, acknowledging that their batting was subpar and they failed to properly assess the playing conditions. The spinner emphasized that their defeats against South Africa and Bangladesh clearly demonstrated that Sri Lanka did not deserve a spot in the Super 8.
“This year, everything went awry. Our batting was lackluster, and we failed to accurately gauge the conditions and execute our plans. As a team, we are currently facing a challenging situation for the upcoming match. Looking back at the last two games, it is evident that we did not showcase our best cricket. Therefore, I believe we did not earn the Super 8 spot based on our performance in the initial matches. However, we still have one game remaining, and we will strive to give our utmost,” expressed Theekshana.
Theekshana further expressed disappointment, stating that they had high expectations for the tournament and entered the World Cup in a favorable position. However, he admitted that the team made numerous mistakes.
“Not at all. We had great aspirations for this World Cup. I am dissatisfied with our team’s performance. We had a positive mindset, and both our bowlers and batsmen had prepared well in the previous tournament. We were in a promising position when we entered this competition. Unfortunately, as a team, we made several errors, which prevented us from progressing to the Super 8,” Theekshana remarked.
Sri Lanka’s final match will be against Netherlands on June 17.
Football
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Standings & Upcoming Matches Preview
The Super Eight Round of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 – Under 20 Division 1 Boys Football Tournament has been intense, with teams battling for a spot in the next stage.
Current Standings (After 8 Matches)
Group A
1. St. Joseph’s College – 4 points (1W, 1D, 0L) | Goals: 5-1
2. Alighar National School – 4 points (1W, 1D, 0L) | Goals: 4-1
3. Darussalam College – 3 points (1W, 0D, 1L) | Goals: 7-4
4. Kalutara Muslim Central College – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-10
Group B
1. Zahira College Colombo – 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L) | Goals: 7-0
2. Hameed Al Husseine College – 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L) | Goals: 5-0
3. Al Falah College Negombo – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-4
4. St. Patrick’s College Jaffna – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-8
Key Highlights So Far
• Zahira College Colombo and Hameed Al Husseine College remain unbeaten in Group B.
• St. Joseph’s College and Alighar National School are leading Group A but are closely followed by Darussalam College, making the race for the semifinals highly competitive.
• Kalutara Muslim Central College and St. Patrick’s College Jaffna are yet to score points and are struggling in their respective groups.
Upcoming Matches & Their Impact
• St. Joseph’s College vs. Alighar National School (MD-5): A potential group-decider as both teams are tied on points.
• Darussalam College vs. Kalutara Muslim Central College (MD-5): Darussalam has a chance to secure a semifinal spot with a win.
• Zahira College vs. Hameed Al Husseine College (MD-6): The top two teams in Group B will clash in a high-stakes match that could determine the group winner.
• Al Falah College vs. St. Patrick’s College (MD-6): A crucial battle for survival in Group B.
With four more matches remaining, every point counts, and teams will be looking to secure their places in the knockout stage. Stay tuned for more updates!
Follow us for match reports, results, and exclusive insights on the Sri Lanka Schools Football Championship 2025.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Masters Set for International Masters League T20 2025 Challenge
Sri Lanka Masters, led by legendary wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, are all set to compete in the much-anticipated International Masters League T20 2025. The tournament, featuring cricketing greats from six nations, will kick off on February 22 and conclude with the final on March 16 in Raipur, India.
Sri Lanka Masters’ Fixtures
The team will begin their campaign against India Masters on February 22 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. They will then take on South Africa Masters on February 26, followed by a high-voltage clash against Australia Masters on February 28. Their group stage will continue with matches against West Indies Masters on March 6 and England Masters on March 10 before the semi-finals on March 13 and 14.
Squad Overview
The Sri Lanka Masters squad boasts a mix of experience and all-round talent. With Sangakkara leading from the front, the team includes seasoned campaigners such as Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Tharanga, and Lahiru Thirimanne. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, and Isuru Udana, while all-rounders like Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, and Chaturanga de Silva provide balance to the squad.
Expectations & Key Players to Watch
With a strong batting unit led by Sangakkara and Tharanga, Sri Lanka Masters will look to dominate in the powerplay and set up big totals. The bowling attack, featuring Pradeep and Lakmal, will be crucial in restricting opposition teams. All-rounders like Prasanna and Mendis could play a pivotal role in tight situations.
As the tournament unfolds, Sri Lanka Masters will aim to make a strong statement and challenge for the coveted title. With cricketing legends returning to the field, fans can expect thrilling encounters and moments of brilliance from the island nation’s seasoned stars.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for exclusive updates and match analysis from the International Masters League T20 2025!
Football
Super 8 Round Begins with Exciting Matches Amid Media Coverage Concerns
The Super 8 round of the Sri Lanka Schools Football Championship 2025 kicked off at Kelaniya Football Grounds, featuring dominant performances and intense competition. However, despite Sri Lankan Sports TV officially requesting media coverage access, the organizers failed to respond, raising concerns regarding transparency and event management.
Matchday 1 (14th February 2025)
🔹 St. Joseph’s College 4-0 Darussalam College
St. Joseph’s College started strong with a commanding 4-0 victory over Darussalam College. R. Bright stole the show with an impressive hat-trick, leading his team to an emphatic win.
🔹 Alighar National School 3-0 Kalutara Muslim Central College (Walkover)
Kalutara Muslim Central College was unable to participate due to unforeseen circumstances, resulting in a 3-0 walkover victory for Alighar National School.
Matchday 2 (15th February 2025)
🔹 Hameed Al Husseinie College 1-0 Al Falah College
A closely contested match saw Hameed Al Husseinie College secure a 1-0 win against Al Falah College, demonstrating solid defense and tactical play.
🔹 Zahira College 4-0 St. Patrick’s College
Zahira College put on a dominant display, winning 4-0 against St. Patrick’s College. Their attacking force looked sharp, sending a strong statement for the upcoming matches.
Media Coverage Dispute
Despite Sri Lankan Sports TV’s formal request to live stream the matches, the organizers refused to provide access, citing the need for approval from FFSL. However, the legal rights for the tournament remain with Sri Lankan Sports TV, making this an unfortunate situation for fans and stakeholders eager for wider coverage.
Stay tuned for further updates on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
-
Football7 days ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Live3 years ago
Live Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Cricket2 weeks ago
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test: Spin to Dominate as Galle Pitch Set to Turn
-
Football1 month ago
FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football1 month ago
Sri Lanka Football: Upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualification Matches & Fixtures
-
Football1 month ago
Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City
-
Cricket3 weeks ago
Usman Khawaja Backs Sam Konstas as His Opening Partner Ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
-
Cricket1 month ago
Kumar Sangakkara to Lead Sri Lanka in International Masters League (IML) 2025