News

Nuwan Thushara’s hat-trick highlights Sri Lanka’s Thumping win over Bangladesh

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

Editor

Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh (Third T20I)

Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the third and deciding match of the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The star of the match was pace bowler Nuwan Thushara, who delivered a sensational hat-trick that left the Bangladesh top order in disarray.

Chasing a target of 175, Bangladesh found themselves in trouble early on, losing five wickets within the first four overs. Thushara’s fiery spell accounted for three of those wickets, including the seasoned Mahmudullah. It was a remarkable performance by Thushara, who was playing only his eighth T20 match.

Prior to Thushara’s heroics, Dhananjaya de Silva had taken the first wicket by dismissing opener Liton Das. Bangladesh’s batting lineup struggled to recover from the early setbacks and eventually succumbed to a heavy defeat.

Towards the end of the innings, Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan provided some consolation to the home crowd as they contributed 44 runs in the seventh wicket partnership.

However, the task of chasing the massive target had already become extremely difficult by then. Rishad displayed his power-hitting skills by hitting back-to-back sixes in the 11th over bowled by Hasaranga and again in the next over bowled by Maheesh Theekshana.

Mahedi Hasan fell victim to a tossed up delivery from Hasaranga, leaving Bangladesh at 76 for 7 in the fourteenth over. Despite Mahedi’s departure, Rishad continued to showcase his batting prowess by smashing three massive sixes over cow corner in the fifteenth over bowled by Theekshana, bringing up Bangladesh’s total to 100.

Rishad reached his fifty by launching another massive six over deep square leg in the sixteenth over bowled by Fernando. However, his sensational cameo of 53 runs off 30 balls came to an end in the seventeenth over, bowled by Theekshana, leaving Bangladesh at 117 for eight. Rishad’s innings included 7 sixes, the highest by any Bangladeshi batter in a T20 match.

In the eighth wicket partnership, Rishad and Taskin added 41 runs from 21 balls. Taskin also played a valuable cameo, scoring 31 runs off 21 balls before getting out in the last over. Despite the top order batters’ disappointing performance, Rishad and Taskin displayed determination and resilience, reducing the margin of defeat for Bangladesh.

Earlier after invited to bat first, Sri Lanka recorded a total of 174 for 7 in their innings, with opener Kusal Mendis playing an outstanding knock of 86 runs.

Taskin Ahmed provided Bangladesh with their first breakthrough in the fourth over, dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva for 8 runs. Sri Lanka managed to score 41 runs for the loss of 1 wicket during the powerplay. In the eighth over, Kamindu Mendis was caught by Shoriful off a delivery by Rishad Hossain, leaving Sri Lanka at 54 for 2. Wanindu Hasaranga joined Kusal Mendis in the middle and the two built a partnership of 59 runs off 31 balls. Mustafizur Rahman broke the partnership by dismissing Hasaranga. Shoriful took the wicket of Asalanka, but Kusal Mendis continued to score boundaries, posing a threat to the hosts. Taskin Ahmed once again played a crucial role in getting rid of Kusal Mendis, who was caught by Soumya Sarkar. Mendis scored 86 runs off 55 balls, including 6 boundaries and an equal number of sixes.

From their onwards Sri Lanka batters looked uncomfortable in the middle and finding it difficult to middle the ball.

However a quick fire of 8-ball 18 runs from Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka reach the 170 run mark at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka 174 for 7 (Kusal Mendis 86, Taskin Ahmed 2-25, Rishad 2-35)

Bangladesh 146 all out (Rishad 53, Taskin Ahmed 31, Nuwan Thushara 5-20, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-32)

Cricket

Chamudi Praboda to Lead Sri Lanka U19 Women on India Tour

Published

7 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Editor

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Panel has named a 15-member Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s squad for the upcoming tour of India, where the young cricketers will compete in both T20 and One Day formats.

Chamudi Praboda has been appointed captain of the side, while Sanjana Kavindi will serve as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. The tour is expected to provide valuable international exposure and competitive experience for the emerging players.

Sri Lanka will play three T20 matches in Chennai on June 22, 24 and 27, followed by three One Day matches in Pondicherry on June 30 and July 3 and 6.

The series will offer Sri Lanka’s young talents an important opportunity to test their skills against strong opposition and gain experience in challenging Indian conditions as they continue their development at international level.

The squad comprises Chamudi Praboda (Captain), Sanjana Kavindi (WK, Vice-Captain), Nethmi Upeksha, Manudi Nanayakkara, Limansa Thilakarathna, Umayangana Peiris, Danodya Sewmini, Nethagi Isuranjali, Pramudi Methsara, Yesali Jithara, Vimoksha Balasooriya, Sanuki Pathirage, Chamodi Herath, Aseni Thalagune and Daria Dissanayaka.

Athletics

Rumesh Tharanga Reaches Historic World No. 3 Ranking

Published

14 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Editor

Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga has achieved a remarkable milestone by climbing to World No. 3 in the latest global rankings, bringing pride and recognition to Sri Lankan athletics on the international stage.

Tharanga now holds 1,324 ranking points, placing him among the world’s elite javelin throwers. His rise to third place marks the highest-ever ranking achieved by a Sri Lankan male athlete in world athletics history, highlighting his dedication, hard work, and consistent performances over recent years.

The achievement is even more significant as Tharanga has become Asia’s highest-ranked javelin athlete, surpassing India’s celebrated thrower Neeraj Chopra. This accomplishment reflects the growing strength of Sri Lankan athletics and demonstrates the country’s ability to compete with the best athletes in the world.
Sports officials and fans across the island have welcomed the news with great enthusiasm.

Many view Tharanga’s success as an inspiration for young athletes who aspire to represent Sri Lanka on the global stage. His journey from a promising talent to one of the world’s top-ranked competitors showcases the rewards of perseverance and commitment to excellence.

His achievement stands as a proud moment for Sri Lanka and a significant chapter in the country’s sporting history.

News

Dinara and Aahil Reach Finals at SSC ITF J30 Week 2

Published

4 days ago

June 8, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka’s Dinara de Silva and Aahil Kaleel advanced to the girls’ and boys’ singles finals respectively at the ITF J30 Week 2 Junior Tennis Tournament being held at the SSC Courts from 2 to 8 June.

Dinara secured a dominant semifinal victory over the Maldives’ Karin Saizan, while Aahil battled through a tough three-set encounter against India’s Vivaan Mirdha to keep Sri Lankan hopes alive in the boys’ competition.

In the girls’ singles semifinals, Dinara produced an impressive display to defeat Karin Saizan 4-1, 4-0. Fellow Sri Lankan Yuhansa Peiris also booked her place in the final after overcoming India’s Aahida Singh 5-4, 4-0. Their victories set up an all-Sri Lankan championship clash.

The boys’ singles semifinals featured a thrilling contest between Aahil and Vivaan Mirdha. After winning the first set 4-2 and dropping the second 2-4, Aahil held his nerve to claim the match tie-break 10-7. In the other semifinal, India’s Shiok Chauhan defeated compatriot Punith Manchira 5-3, 4-2 to reach the final.

The girls’ final will see Dinara face Yuhansa, while Aahil will take on Chauhan in the boys’ title match.

Dinara enters the final in outstanding form, having won the Week 1 singles title. She also teamed up with Yuhansa to capture the Week 1 girls’ doubles championship. The tournament is particularly significant for Dinara as it marks her final ITF Junior tournament appearance on Sri Lankan soil before embarking on the next stage of her international tennis journey.