Connect with us

News

Pathum Nissanka double ton help SL thrash Afghanistan

Published

on

Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka 2024

On Friday, Sri Lanka’s opener Pathum Nissanka displayed an extraordinary performance by scoring a remarkable double hundred, leading his team to victory over Afghanistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Nissanka’s exceptional innings played a crucial role in securing a 42-run win for the hosts, enabling them to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series.

In an impressive display of skill, Nissanka achieved his first-ever double century in Pallekele, accomplishing this feat in just 136 balls.

This remarkable achievement places him among an elite group of players, as he becomes the 10th player in cricket history to achieve such a milestone.

Notably, Nissanka also holds the distinction of being the third-fastest double centurion in this format. By surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya’s previous record of 189 runs, Nissanka has etched his name in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi put Sri Lanka to bat first in the match, resulting in a total of 381 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.

The standout performer was Nissanka, who played a patient innings alongside Avishka Fernando. The opening pair managed to score 182 runs before Fernando was dismissed for a run-a-ball 88.

Nissanka then accelerated his scoring rate and punished the Afghan side, finishing unbeaten at 210 off just 139 balls.

In the second innings, Sri Lanka gained an early advantage thanks to the fast bowlers Pramod Madushan and Dushmantha Chameera. They quickly dismantled the Afghan top order, effectively securing the victory within the first 10 overs of the game.

However, a remarkable 6th wicket partnership between young Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi provided some hope for the Afghan team.

The pair, with one nearing the end of his professional journey and the other just beginning, combined forces to accumulate a remarkable total of 242 runs.

This outstanding achievement stands as the second highest partnership ever recorded for the 6th wicket in the history of One Day International cricket. Notably, both players achieved personal milestones by scoring centuries, instilling a sense of optimism and possibility for Afghanistan but Sri Lanka bowlers held their nerve to defend the target and emerged victorious by 42 runs.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 381/4 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 210, Avishka Fernando 88; Fareed Ahmad 2-79) beat Afghanistan 339/6 in 50 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 149, Mohammad Nabi 136; Pramod Madushan 4-75) by 42 runs

Football

CBL Samaposha Continues to Empower Sri Lanka’s Young Footballers for the 14th Consecutive Year

Published

on

By

In a remarkable display of commitment to grassroots sports development, CBL Samaposha continues its proud legacy of empowering the U14 Inter-School National Football Championship for the 14th consecutive year, reaffirming its role as one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent supporters of school-level football.

Organized by the Schools Football Association of Sri Lanka (SSFA), this year’s championship will take place across 32 regional grounds islandwide, drawing participation from over 12,000 young players representing 510 boys’ teams and 110 girls’ teams.

Provincial champions will advance to the final rounds in Galle, with matches scheduled at the Dadella Football Complex, B.T.S. School Grounds, and Galle Municipal Grounds. The grand final will be played at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds on December 13, where the nation’s most talented young players will compete for top honors.

CBL Foods’ Chief Executive Officer Mr. Manjula Dahanayake emphasized the company’s deep-rooted commitment to nurturing youth potential, saying:

“Our vision is to inspire young Sri Lankans to pursue their dreams through sport, discipline, and teamwork. Supporting this tournament helps build the next generation of leaders both on and off the field.”

SSFA CEO Mr. Iraj Wimalasuriya expressed appreciation for Samaposha’s continued partnership, stating:

“CBL Samaposha has been a true ally in our mission to strengthen school football. Their long-term commitment ensures that children from all parts of the island get an equal opportunity to play, compete, and grow.”

Adding further, Lt. Col. G.G. Anura Apevikrama, Director of Physical Education and Sports at the Ministry of Education, noted that this championship is often the first competitive experience for many budding footballers — a crucial step in building Sri Lanka’s sporting future.

As a proudly homegrown brand under CBL Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Samaposha continues to fuel the nation’s youth — both nutritionally and inspirationally — reinforcing the value of sportsmanship and unity through football.

🏆 About the Championship

  • Organizer: Schools Football Association of Sri Lanka (SSFA)
  • Sponsor: CBL Samaposha
  • Players: Over 12,000 (Boys & Girls)
  • Venues: 32 regional grounds, finals in Galle & Colombo
  • Finals Date: December 13, 2025
Continue Reading

News

Lifebouy Ball Blaster 2025 – Group B Wide Open as Royal, Aligar & Kalutara Battle for Top Spot

Published

on

By

The race for qualification in Group B of the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Tournament is heating up, with three top schools still in contention for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Royal College Leads the Pack

Royal College, Colombo currently sits on top of Group B after an impressive 5-0 victory, showcasing both dominance and attacking flair. With two crucial matches left, Royal remains the favorite to finish as group leaders — but the battle is far from over.

Aligar Central’s Mixed Fortunes

Aligar Central College, last year’s runners-up and inaugural Ball Blaster champions, have had a mixed campaign so far. After one win and one narrow loss — the latter coming from an unfortunate own goal — the team still remains firmly in the race for qualification.

Kalutara Muslim Still in the Hunt

Kalutara Muslim Central College, one of the most competitive sides in this year’s tournament, has only played one game so far — securing a 1-0 win. With two matches still to play, they remain a real threat to the current table leaders.

Maris Stella Struggling for Form

Maris Stella College, on the other hand, has had a tough run, losing both their opening fixtures and conceding nine goals in the process. They will now look to finish strong and disrupt the group standings in the remaining matches.

With the Group B stage still wide open, the coming matchdays promise thrilling encounters as Royal, Aligar, and Kalutara fight for the top two quarterfinal spots in the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025.

Continue Reading

Football

Zahira College Colombo Dominate Group A — Gampola Zahira and Darussalam Battle for Second Spot

Published

on

By

The Group A stage of the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025 Schools Football Championship is heating up, with Zahira College Colombo emerging as the clear frontrunner after an unbeaten run in their first two matches. With six points and an impressive 8–2 goal difference, Zahira are well on course to top the group and secure a direct berth to the quarterfinals.

Zahira’s attacking flair and tactical balance have made them one of the most complete teams in this year’s tournament. Their consistent performances have set the tone in Group A, making them strong contenders for the overall title.

Behind them, the battle for the second qualifying spot is intensifying between Darussalam College and Gampola Zahira College. Both teams currently sit on three points each, but Darussalam have played one match more, leaving Gampola Zahira with a crucial game in hand.

Kingswood College, despite showing moments of promise, have struggled to convert opportunities into results and remain winless after three outings.

With two group matches remaining, the race for quarterfinal qualification is expected to go down to the wire. Zahira Colombo, the current Group A leader, will likely face Vaddakkachchi Central College (D2) from Group D in the knockout stage, while the second-placed team will meet Hameed Al Husseinie College (D1) — setting up thrilling contests ahead.

SchoolMWLDGSGAGDPoints
Zahira College, Colombo220082+66
Gampola Zahira College110031+23
Darussalam College21105503
Kingswood College3030513-80

Continue Reading

Trending