Connect with us

News

Mathews shine in SL’s thumping win Vs Afghanistan

Published

on

Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka (Second T20I)

Sri Lanka emerged victorious over Afghanistan by a margin of 72 runs in the second T20I and secured a unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.

Angelo Mathews, who recently made his T20I comeback, played a pivotal role for the Sri Lankan team with his contributions both with the bat and ball.

Batting at No.7, Mathews displayed an aggressive approach and scored an unbeaten 42 runs off just 22 balls, including 2 fours and 4 sixes. His impressive knock helped Sri Lanka reach a total of 187 for 6 in 20 overs in Dambulla international cricket stadium.

Earlier Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis provided a solid start by adding 45 runs in 3.5 overs for the opening wicket.

However, despite getting good starts, Nissanka, Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva failed to capitalize on their innings. Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 51 runs off 42 balls with 5 fours, but couldn’t accelerate the scoring rate throughout the innings.

Among the Afghan bowlers, Mohammad Nabi stood out with figures of 4-0-25-2. Azmatullah Omarzai also took 2 wickets but conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.

Chasing the challenging target, Afghanistan faced early setbacks and found themselves struggling at 31 for 5 in 4.3 overs.

Mohammed Nabi and Karim Janat tried to stabilize the innings by adding 39 runs off 29 balls. Nabi, who had earlier impressed with the ball, contributed 27 runs off 17 balls. Janat also showed promise with his knock of 28 runs off 23 balls before being dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga.

Hasaranga finished with impressive figures of 4-0-19-2. However, it was Mathews who was awarded the Player of the Match for his all-round performance, which included picking up 2 wickets.

The two sides will next meet in the 3rd T20I scheduled to be played on Wednesday (21) at the same venue.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 187/6 in 20 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 51, Angelo Mathews 42*; Mohammed Nabi 2-25) beat Afghanistan 115 all out in 17 overs (Karim Janat 28, Mohammad Nabi 27; Angelo Mathews 2-9, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-19) by 72 runs

Football

SAFF Championship Postponement Exposes Deeper Issues Within FFSL

Published

on

By

The much-anticipated SAFF Championship, originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in July 2025, has now been officially postponed to 2026—a move that has raised serious concerns over the competence and credibility of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

According to the SAFF Executive Committee, the decision to delay the tournament stemmed largely from pressure exerted by its marketing partner, Sportfive, which advocated for a home-and-away format to increase commercial value. Furthermore, it is reported that Sportfive preferred the event be hosted in Bangladesh or India, citing better sponsor access and commercial feasibility in those countries if the tournament were to follow a centralized model.

However, beyond external pressure, this development highlights a troubling reality: the FFSL’s inability to effectively organize and defend Sri Lanka’s hosting rights on the international stage. This isn’t merely a scheduling issue—it reflects a deeper pattern of administrative shortcomings, lack of vision, and prioritization of media narratives over tangible development.

As previously reported by Sri Lankan Sports TV, the FFSL continues to focus more on optics and media stunts rather than on the foundational work required to uplift football in the country. The failure to safeguard Sri Lanka’s opportunity to host a major regional tournament not only affects the sport’s growth domestically but also damages the nation’s reputation within South Asian football.

For a federation that has long promised reform and transparency, this latest setback exposes how little progress has actually been made. When commercial partners have more sway than the national football body itself, it’s a clear indication that local football governance is being undermined by weak leadership and poor planning.

This should be a wake-up call—not just for the FFSL, but for every stakeholder invested in the future of Sri Lankan football. The time for slogans and staged announcements is over. Sri Lanka needs action, accountability, and genuine commitment to building a sustainable footballing culture. Until then, headlines like this will only continue to reflect a sport lost in mismanagement.

Continue Reading

Cricket

Sri Lanka Unveils Balanced Squad for Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, Chamari Athapaththu to Lead the Charge

Published

on

By

Sri Lanka Cricket has officially announced a strong and balanced 17-member squad for the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025, with star batter Chamari Athapaththu set to lead the team. The series, scheduled for next month, will serve as a key preparatory tournament ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

Athapaththu, a globally respected all-rounder known for her fearless batting and bold leadership, remains the cornerstone of Sri Lanka Women’s cricket. As captain, she brings not only experience but also explosive firepower at the top of the order.

The Sri Lanka Women’s ODI squad for the tri-nation series blends youth with experience, showcasing the selectors’ vision of developing depth across all departments. Emerging talent Vishmi Gunaratne retains her spot following a solid domestic season, while consistent performers like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi Silva will provide stability in the middle order.

All-round strength is a key feature of the squad, with the likes of Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani (who will also don the gloves as the primary wicketkeeper) offering both batting and bowling options. Batters Hasini Perera and Piumi Wathsala strengthen the order, while promising youngsters Manudi Nanayakkara and Dewmi Vihanga are expected to gain valuable international exposure.

On the bowling front, spin remains Sri Lanka’s biggest weapon, spearheaded by veteran Inoka Ranaweera, with support from Inoshi Fernando and Sugandika Kumari. Their ability to control the game in the middle overs will be vital on slower pitches.

The pace unit will be led by Achini Kulasuriya and Rashmika Sewwandi, both known for their early breakthroughs and death-over effectiveness. All-rounders Malki Madara and Hansima Karunaratne round out the squad, providing versatility and tactical flexibility.

This ODI series is more than just preparation—it’s a chance for Sri Lanka to test its combinations, refine strategies, and build momentum ahead of a major global tournament. With Chamari Athapaththu at the helm and a team full of potential, fans can expect a spirited and competitive campaign.

Sri Lanka Women’s Squad for Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025

Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hasini Perera, Piumi Wathsala, Manudi Nanayakkara, Dewmi Vihanga, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Fernando, Hansima Karunaratne, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya

Continue Reading

News

Sri Lanka Storm Into Asia Rugby Men’s Championship with Dominant Win Over Malaysia

Published

on

By

Sri Lanka has officially qualified for the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 after a commanding 59-19 victory over Malaysia, marking a major step forward in their journey toward the Rugby World Cup 2027.

The Tuskers came out charging in this crucial qualifying clash, showcasing a blend of power, pace, and precision as they dismantled the Malaysian defense to book their place among Asia’s top rugby nations. With this win, Sri Lanka joins the elite group set to compete for the continent’s sole direct qualification spot for the Rugby World Cup 2027, to be held in Australia.

What’s Next? The Road to Australia 2027

The Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 will be held between June and July 2025, featuring top sides including Hong Kong China, Korea, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. The winner of the tournament will directly qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2027, while the runner-up will get a second chance through the Asia/Africa Play-Off.

Sri Lanka will now look to prepare for this pivotal tournament, with the goal of becoming the first-ever Sri Lankan team to qualify for a Rugby World Cup.

Global Qualification Overview:

  • Europe (4 teams): Semi-finalists from Rugby Europe Men’s Championship 2025.
  • Africa (1 team): Winner of Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025.
  • South America (1 team): Winner of Sudamérica Rugby Championship 2025.
  • Pacific (3 teams): Top 3 from the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (excluding already-qualified Fiji and Japan).
  • Asia (1 team): Winner of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 (which now includes Sri Lanka).
  • Final Qualification Tournament (1 team): A round-robin between four remaining contenders from intercontinental play-offs.

As the race to Australia 2027 heats up, Sri Lanka’s emphatic entry into the Asian Championship is a huge statement of intent. The nation’s rugby faithful will be eagerly following the Elephants as they charge toward a historic World Cup debut.

Continue Reading

Trending