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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

Malisha Tennakoon with Sri Lankan roots, now proudly donning England U-19 jersey

Published

5 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Editor

The ongoing Women’s Under-19 ODI and T20 Tri-Series in Australia, also featuring lasses from England and Sri Lanka has unearthed new talents who could rule Women’s Cricket at global stage in years to come. With hosts Australia and Sri Lanka taking major honours, with four wins and a loss after playing five games each, England may have a lot to ponder after six straight losses in the T20 series.

But two girls of Sri Lankan origin have made headlines back in the island nation on the Indian Ocean, making a significant stride. All-rounder Malisha Tennakoon is one such youngsters, besides her team-mate Venus Weerappuli, both with roots from Sri Lanka. Though Venus has been a regular member of the England U-19 Women’s team in both ODI and T20 formats, Malisha played her part as a right-hand middle-order batter and right-arm pace bowler in the three ODI games she played.

A student of Abbotsholm School in Rocester, Derbyshire, Malisha is. Warcickahire academy player who also represents Derbyshire Falcons and her county age group U18 representing her home county Staffordshire as an all-rounder. Coming in as a reserve in the England U-19 Women’s squad preparing for the Tri-Series in Australia, Malisha had made both her clubs and school equally proud. As young players when she was U13 she had the rare opportunity to play and won at Lords cricket ground for Lady Tavenors national cup final for her women’s club.

Her recognition within the England pathway at this stage has brought a tremendous honour to her efforts, and a true testament to her hard work and talent. At her school, Abbotsholm, Malisha is regarded an an inspiration to younger pupils, and a brilliant example, motivating more girls to pick up a bat and believe in where the game can take them. Her ultimate goal is to represent England at the highest level.

Cricket

Sri Lanka U19 Women Shine with Third Straight Win in Tri-Series

Published

16 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka Under-19 Women continued their impressive run in the Tri-Series in Australia, securing their third consecutive victory with a commanding 35-run win over England in Match 8.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a modest total of 104 for 8 in their 20 overs. Despite early pressure, valuable contributions from V. Balasuriya, who scored a steady 34 off 40 balls, and S. Kavindi with 26 off 33 deliveries helped stabilize the innings. England’s bowling attack was led by E. Bristowe, who delivered an excellent spell, claiming 3 wickets for just 15 runs.

In response, England struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling unit. The innings was wrapped up in 16.3 overs, falling well short of the target. A. Oliver top-scored with 16 runs, while S. Patil added 12, but the rest of the lineup failed to make significant contributions.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers were outstanding, with V. Weerappuli taking 2 for 6, supported by strong performances from L. Thilakarathne and P. Methsara, who picked up key wickets to dismantle the opposition.

Cricket

Sri Lanka Name Strong Squad for Bangladesh Tour 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a strong women’s squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, with Chamari Athapaththu appointed as captain for both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). The tour will feature three ODIs and three T20Is, providing valuable international exposure ahead of a busy season.

The ODI series is scheduled to be played in Rajshahi on April 20, 22, and 25, while the T20I matches will take place in Sylhet on April 28 and 30, and May 2.

The squad includes experienced players such as Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Nilakshika Silva, alongside promising talents like Kaveesha Dilhari and Sugandika Kumari. The selectors have also included emerging players such as Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, and Kaushini Nuthyangana to strengthen the lineup.

Notably, the ODI and T20I squads remain largely consistent, with a few changes including the inclusion of Rashmika Sewwandi, Mithali Ayodhya, and Nimesha Madushani for the shorter format.

ODI Squad:

Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Hasini Perera, Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Piumi Wathsala, Kaveesha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Kawya Kavindi, Chethana Vimukthi, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari

T20I Squad:
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Hasini Perera, Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Rashmika Sewwandi, Kaveesha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Nimesha Madushani