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Pathum Nissanka recalled to Sri Lanka squad to face Pakistan

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Sri Lanka has recalled opening batter Pathum Nissanka to their Test squad which will face Pakistan in the two-match test series starting from Sunday (16).

Nissanka, who has played just three Tests for Sri Lanka, last featured in the format last year against Australia at home.

The 28-year-old has found a spot in the squad after having missed the country’s last two red-ball assignments.

Nissanka had a decent outing in the recently concluded World Cup qualifiers, where he smashed a couple of hundreds in Sri Lanka’s successful campaign.

Other notable inclusions are Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka and Lakshitha Manasinghe.

Surprisingly spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, who didn’t get a game against Ireland recently at home, has been handed the axe. The likes of Asitha Fernando, Dushan Hemantha and Milan Priyanath Rathnayake have also been dropped from the squad that hammered Ireland 2-0 in the series in April.

Meanwhile, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne is likely to miss the first Test against Pakistan (though he is named in the squad) due to a hamstring injury. He will undergo fitness tests in Colombo over the next 48 hours, and if found unfit, will not travel to Galle for the match, which begins on 16 July.

If Karunaratne is unavailable, the team is likely to be led by vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva.

Dimuth picked up the injury during the recently concluded World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

On the conclusion of the first Test, the two teams will travel to Colombo for the second Test at the SSC from 24 to 28 July.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe

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Sanath Jayasuriya Steps Down from Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance Role

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Former Sri Lankan cricket legend and former head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has officially resigned from his position as Consultant to Sri Lanka Cricket’s High Performance Centre, with his resignation set to take effect at the end of this month.

In a letter addressed to the recently appointed Cricket Transformation Committee, Jayasuriya stated that he had become aware of concerns raised by several committee members regarding his dual roles within Sri Lankan cricket administration.

The concerns reportedly centered on his appointment to the High Performance Centre while simultaneously serving as President of the Matara District Cricket Association, which some believed could create a potential conflict of interest.

Jayasuriya noted that his decision to step down was made in the best interests of transparency and the future development of Sri Lankan cricket. He emphasized his continued commitment to supporting the sport and nurturing young talent despite leaving the consultancy role.

Widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers, Jayasuriya has remained actively involved in cricket administration and player development since retiring from international cricket. His resignation comes at a time when Sri Lanka Cricket is undergoing significant structural reforms aimed at improving governance and performance standards.

Officials from Sri Lanka Cricket have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the resignation.

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Sri Lanka Cricket Denies Financial Crisis Claims Amid Transformation Committee Appointment

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Sri Lanka Cricket has firmly rejected recent media reports claiming that the organization is facing a financial crisis following the appointment of the Cricket Transformation Committee, stating that such allegations are “entirely false and misleading.”

In an official clarification, SLC emphasized that the Cricket Transformation Committee was appointed by the Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs under the powers granted by Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, as amended.

According to SLC, once an order is issued under Section 32 of the Sports Law, the powers, administration, management, and control of the affairs and assets of the relevant sports body are legally transferred to the committee appointed by the Minister.

The organization further noted that the duly appointed Transformation Committee is fully authorized to oversee and manage all affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket, including its financial operations and obligations, until a new Executive Committee is elected.

SLC also pointed out that the appointment of the committee has already been officially published in the Government Gazette, thereby granting it full legal authority to act on behalf of the organization in all administrative and financial matters.

Rejecting claims of financial instability, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterated that its operations continue without disruption. The organization stated that all day-to-day activities, including financial and administrative functions, are proceeding smoothly under the supervision of the Transformation Committee.

SLC further assured stakeholders that all payments to suppliers, service providers, employees, players, and other parties continue to be settled on time, with no interruption to the organization’s commitments.

The statement was issued in response to growing speculation in sections of the media regarding the financial status of Sri Lanka Cricket after the recent administrative changes.

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Sri Lanka, India to Clash in Two-Test Series in August

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Sri Lanka and India are set to play a two-match Test series between August 15 and 27 as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Although the official schedule is yet to be announced, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reserved a two-week window for the series following the conclusion of the Lanka Premier League on August 9. Discussions between SLC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are continuing to finalise the venues and match dates.

The proposed tour was initially expected to include three Twenty20 Internationals as well, but there has been no confirmation regarding those matches. The T20 games were originally planned as a fundraising initiative for victims affected by Cyclone Ditwah last year.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is currently in Sri Lanka as part of an International Cricket Council delegation reviewing recent developments in Sri Lanka Cricket administration. The Sri Lankan government recently dissolved the previous SLC body and appointed an interim Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee.

Cricket scheduling remains challenging for India due to a packed international calendar later this year. India are expected to tour Bangladesh in September for a white-ball series, although the tour is still uncertain after being postponed previously because of political tensions between the two nations.

India also have commitments against West Indies and Afghanistan later in the year, along with the Asian Games in Nagoya scheduled from September 9 to October 4.

India’s international season resumes in June with a Test series against Afghanistan before tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe.

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