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Ramesh Mendis Fifer script Sri Lanka’s thumping win Vs Ireland
Ireland tour of Sri Lanka second test match
Ramesh Mendis shone with the ball with a fifer as Sri Lanka thumped Ireland by an inning and 10 runs in the second Test to bag the series 2-0.
Sri Lanka, which made its first Test appearance in 1982 against England, won the first Test by an innings and 280 runs. Friday’s victory was the country’s 100th Test win.
Harry Tector fought a lone last-day rearguard action to try to bat out a draw, scoring 85 and mounting a 41-run stand for the ninth wicket, but Mendis took 5-64 as Ireland was bowled out for 202 in their second innings.
When Ireland slowly dragged the match to a draw pacer Asitha Fernando came to the rescue to bowl Tector with a yorker to end the resistance and accounted for last man Ben White with the very next ball to wrap up another emphatic win in style.
Earlier the visitors posted 492 in their first innings after Sri Lanka declared on 704-3.
Ireland resumed the fifth and last day on 54-2, hoping to hold on for a draw.
But Sri Lanka bowlers led by Ramesh Mendis were too hot to handle for the Irish as they never gave a breathing space for the visitors to play freely as Sri Lanka wrapped up things quite comfortably.
Highlights of the day were, the hero of the first test Parabath Jayasuriya became the quickest-ever spinner to take 50 wickets, in just seven Tests.
Fellow left-armer Alf Valentine of West Indies had taken eight games to the milestone more than seven decades earlier.
Brief Scores: Ireland 492 & 202 (Harry Tector 85, Andrew Balbirnie 46; Ramesh Mendis 5-64, Asitha Fernando 3-30) lost to Sri Lanka 704/3 decl. (Kusal Mendis 245, Nishan Madushka 205, Dimuth Karunaratne 115; Graham Hume 1-87) by an inning and 10 runs
Sri Lanka is on the brink of a victory
Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis smashed maiden double centuries to help Sri Lanka take control of the second test match against Ireland as they ended their first innings on 704-3.
Earlier Madushka converted his maiden Test century into a double hundred, becoming the second-youngest Sri Lankan to score a Test 200 after Mahela Jayawardene before he was dismissed for 205 in the third over after lunch when he was struck lbw off Andy McBrine’s bowling.
On the other hand, Kusal Mendis, showing his class with the bat reached his first Test 200 and went on to score 245 runs before he was caught at long-off.
Scoreboard reading at 3-629,
Angelo Mathews was dismissed for a duck in the first Test and bounced back to score a quick unbeaten century to lay the final touches for the Sri Lankan innings. It also registered as the quickest century the former skipper had scored.
Scoreboard reading at 704-3 skipper Dimuth Karunaratne declared their innings with a lead of 212 runs.
Earlier Captain Dimuth Karunaratne also contributed with a watchful 115 from the top of the order.
At stumps on day four, Ireland for their second innings was 54 for the loss of two wickets that of openers James McCollum (10) and Peter Moor (19) and still 159 runs from making Sri Lanka bat again.
McCollum was brilliantly bowled by offspinner Ramesh Mendis and Moor was dismissed when Angelo Mathews held a superb low catch at short extra cover.
Other highlights of the day were Dinesh Chandimal who lasted only 14 balls before having to retire hurt. The wicketkeeper-batter appeared to have hurt his shoulder while diving into the crease to avoid a runout, and couldn’t continue.
According to sources at SLC the wicket keeper batter has been sent to the hospital to obtain an x-ray.
Brief Scores: Ireland 492 & 54/2 (Ramesh Mendis 1-17, Prabath Jayasuriya 1-28) trail Sri Lanka 704/3 decl. (Kusal Mendis 245, Nishan Madushka 205, Dimuth Karunaratne 115; Graham Hume 1-87) by 158 runs
රමේෂ් මෙන්ඩිස්ගේ විශිෂ්ට ක්රිකට් ක්රීඩාවෙන් අයර්ලන්තයට එරෙහිව ශ්රී ලංකාව ලැබූ ජයග්රහණය.
අයර්ලන්ත ශ්රී ලංකා සංචාරය (දෙවන ටෙස්ට්)
රමේෂ් මෙන්ඩිස් පන්දුවෙන් දස්කම් දැක්වූ අතර ශ්රී ලංකාව අයර්ලන්තය සමඟ පැවැති දෙවැනි ටෙස්ට් තරගය ඉනිමකින් සහ ලකුණු 10කින් පරාජය කරමින් තරගාවලිය 2-0ක් ලෙස ජය ගත්තේය.
1982 වසරේ එංගලන්තයට එරෙහිව පළමු ටෙස්ට් තරගයට එක් වූ ශ්රී ලංකාව පළමු ටෙස්ට් තරගය ඉනිමකින් සහ ලකුණු 280කින් ජය ගැනීමට සමත් විය. සිකුරාදා ජයග්රහණය එරට 100 වැනි ටෙස්ට් ජයග්රහණය විය.
හැරී ටෙක්ටර් අවසන් දිනයේ හුදකලා සටනක් කරමින් ලකුණු 85ක් ලබාගෙන ලකුණු 41ක සබඳතාවයක් නවවැනි කඩුල්ලට ගොඩනැගූ නමුත් මෙන්ඩිස් ලකුණු 5-64ක් ලබා ගත්තේ අයර්ලන්තය සිය දෙවැනි ඉනිමේදී ලකුණු 202කට දැවී ගිය බැවිනි.
අයර්ලන්තය සෙමෙන් තරගය ජය පරාජයෙන් තොරව ඇදගෙන යද්දී වේග පන්දු යවන ක්රීඩක අසිත ප්රනාන්දු ගලවා ගැනීමට පැමිණ ප්රතිරෝධය නිමා කිරීමට ටෙක්ටර් යෝකර් එකකින් දවා ගැනීමට සමත් වූ අතර ඊළඟ පන්දුවේදීම අවසන් ක්රීඩකයා වන බෙන් වයිට් වෙත තවත් විශිෂ්ට ජයග්රහණයක් ලබා ගැනීමට හැකි විය.
ශ්රී ලංකාව ලකුණු 704-3ක් ලබා සිටියදී පළමු ඉනිමේදී ලකුණු 492ක් රැස්කළේය.
අයර්ලන්තය ලකුණු 54-2ක් ලෙස පස්වැනි සහ අවසන් දිනය ආරම්භ කළේ තරගය ජය පරාජයෙන් තොරව පවත්වා ගැනීමේ අපේක්ෂාවෙනි.
නමුත් රමේෂ් මෙන්ඩිස්ගේ නායකත්වයෙන් යුත් ශ්රී ලංකා පන්දු යවන්නන් ඉර්සිට හැසිරවීමට නොහැකි තරම් උණුසුම් වූ අතර ඔවුන් කිසි විටෙකත් අමුත්තන්ට නිදහසේ ක්රීඩා කිරීමට හුස්ම ගැනීමේ ඉඩක් ලබා නොදුන් අතර ශ්රී ලංකාව ඉතා සුවපහසු ලෙස දේවල් ඔතා ගත්හ.
දිනයේ විශේෂත්වය වූයේ පළමු ටෙස්ට් තරගයේ වීරයා වූ පරබත් ජයසූරිය ටෙස්ට් තරග 7කදී පමණක් කඩුලු 50ක් දවාගත් වේගවත්ම දඟ පන්දු යවන්නා බවට පත්වීමයි.
බටහිර ඉන්දීය කොදෙව් කණ්ඩායමේ සෙසු වමත් ක්රීඩක ඇල්ෆ් වැලන්ටයින් දශක හතකට පෙර මෙම සන්ධිස්ථානයට තරඟ 8ක් ගෙන තිබුණි.
සංක්ෂිප්ත ලකුණු: අයර්ලන්තය 492 සහ 202 (හැරී ටෙක්ටර් 85, ඇන්ඩෲ බල්බිර්නි 46; රමේෂ් මෙන්ඩිස් 5-64, අසිත ප්රනාන්දු 3-30) ශ්රී ලංකාව හමුවේ 704/3 ඩී. (කුසල් මෙන්ඩිස් 245, නිශාන් මධුෂ්ක 205, දිමුත් කරුණාරත්න 115; ග්රැහැම් හියුම් 1-87) ඉනිමකින් සහ ලකුණු 10කින්
ரமேஷ் மெண்டிஸின் அபார கிரிக்கெட் மூலம் அயர்லாந்துக்கு எதிராக இலங்கையின் வெற்றி.
அயர்லாந்து இலங்கை சுற்றுப்பயணம் (2வது டெஸ்ட்)
இரண்டாவது டெஸ்டில் அயர்லாந்தை இன்னிங்ஸ் மற்றும் 10 ரன்கள் வித்தியாசத்தில் இலங்கை தோற்கடித்து தொடரை 2-0 என கைப்பற்ற, ரமேஷ் மெண்டிஸ் பந்து வீச்சில் பிரகாசித்தார்.
1982ஆம் ஆண்டு இங்கிலாந்துக்கு எதிராக முதல் டெஸ்ட் போட்டியில் களமிறங்கிய இலங்கை அணி, முதல் டெஸ்டில் இன்னிங்ஸ் மற்றும் 280 ரன்கள் வித்தியாசத்தில் வெற்றி பெற்றது. வெள்ளியன்று கிடைத்த வெற்றி அந்நாட்டின் 100வது டெஸ்ட் வெற்றியாகும்.
ஹாரி டெக்டர் கடைசி நாள் ரீர்கார்ட் ஆக்ஷனைப் போராடி டிரா அவுட் செய்ய முயன்றார், 85 ரன்கள் எடுத்தார் மற்றும் ஒன்பதாவது விக்கெட்டுக்கு 41 ரன்கள் எடுத்தார், ஆனால் மெண்டிஸ் 5-64 எடுத்தார், அயர்லாந்து தனது இரண்டாவது இன்னிங்ஸில் 202 ரன்களுக்கு ஆட்டமிழந்தது.
அயர்லாந்து மெதுவாக ஆட்டத்தை இழுத்துச் சென்றபோது, வேகப்பந்து வீச்சாளர் அசித்த பெர்னாண்டோ, டெக்டரை யார்க்கரால் பந்துவீச, எதிர்ப்பை முடிவுக்குக் கொண்டு வந்து, அடுத்த பந்திலேயே பென் வைட்டைக் கைப்பற்றி, ஸ்டைலில் மற்றொரு உறுதியான வெற்றியைப் பெற்றார்.
முன்னதாக, இலங்கை அணி 704-3 ரன்களுக்கு டிக்ளேர் செய்த பிறகு, பார்வையாளர்கள் தங்கள் முதல் இன்னிங்ஸில் 492 ரன்கள் எடுத்தனர்.
ஐந்தாவது மற்றும் கடைசி நாள் ஆட்டத்தை 54-2 என்ற கணக்கில் அயர்லாந்து மீண்டும் தொடங்கியது.
ஆனால் ரமேஷ் மெண்டிஸின் இலங்கை பந்துவீச்சாளர்கள் இர்சிக்கு கையாள முடியாத அளவுக்கு சூடாக இருந்தனர், ஏனெனில் அவர்கள் பார்வையாளர்களுக்கு சுதந்திரமாக விளையாடுவதற்கு மூச்சு விடவில்லை, ஏனெனில் இலங்கை மிகவும் வசதியாக விஷயங்களை முடித்தது.
அன்றைய சிறப்பம்சங்கள் என்னவென்றால், முதல் டெஸ்ட் போட்டியின் நாயகனான பரபத் ஜெயசூர்யா, ஏழு டெஸ்டில் விளையாடி மிக வேகமாக 50 விக்கெட்டுகளை வீழ்த்திய சுழற்பந்து வீச்சாளர் ஆனார்.
மேற்கிந்திய தீவுகளின் சக இடது கை வீரர் ஆல்ஃப் வாலண்டைன் ஏழு தசாப்தங்களுக்கு முன்னர் எட்டு ஆட்டங்களை மைல்கல்லுக்கு எடுத்திருந்தார்.
சுருக்கமான ஸ்கோர்: அயர்லாந்து 492 & 202 (ஹாரி டெக்டர் 85, ஆன்ட்ரூ பால்பிர்னி 46; ரமேஷ் மெண்டிஸ் 5-64, அசிதா பெர்னாண்டோ 3-30) இலங்கையிடம் 704/3 டிக்ளில் தோல்வியடைந்தார். (குசல் மெண்டிஸ் 245, நிஷான் மதுஷ்கா 205, திமுத் கருணாரத்ன 115; கிரஹாம் ஹியூம் 1-87) இன்னிங்ஸ் மற்றும் 10 ரன்கள் வித்தியாசத்தில்
Cricket
Sri Lanka Stunned by Zimbabwe Despite 178 as Bowling Falters in Colombo
Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as they went down to Zimbabwe by six wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium — a result few predicted before the first ball was bowled.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka posted what appeared to be a competitive 178/7. But defensive bowling and a lack of control in key moments allowed Zimbabwe to chase down 179 with three balls to spare, finishing on 182/4 in 19.3 overs.
Where Sri Lanka Lost the Game
Strong Start, Poor Finish with the Bat
Sri Lanka flew out of the blocks, scoring 61 runs in the Powerplay.
- Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a fluent 62 off 41 balls.
- The opening stand raced to 54 inside five overs.
However, momentum dipped sharply in the middle overs:
- Kusal Mendis struggled (14 off 20).
- The run rate slowed between overs 7–14.
- Despite a late push from Pavan Rathnayake (44 off 25), Sri Lanka managed only 28 runs in the final three overs.
From a position of dominance at 108/2, they could not push beyond the 185–190 mark — a total that, in hindsight, proved costly.
Failure to Strike Early with the Ball
Zimbabwe’s chase was built on a solid foundation:
- 55 runs in the Powerplay without losing a wicket.
- 69-run opening stand removed early pressure.
Sri Lanka never truly regained control.
The Raza–Bennett Counterattack
The turning point came when captain Sikandar Raza launched a brutal counterattack:
- 45 off 26 balls
- 4 sixes
- 50-run partnership in just 27 balls
Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly with an unbeaten 63 off 48.
Raza’s assault in overs 15–18 shifted the momentum completely, taking the game away from Sri Lanka just when it seemed evenly poised.
Bowling Concerns Under Lights
Sri Lanka’s bowling lacked penetration:
- Maheesh Theekshana conceded 47 in 3.3 overs (13.42 economy).
- No early breakthroughs from the seamers.
- Only one Powerplay wicket across both innings combined.
On a Colombo surface that slowed slightly, Zimbabwe adapted better, rotating strike efficiently before accelerating at the death.
Key Numbers That Hurt Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe Powerplay: 55/0
- Sri Lanka Powerplay wickets: 0
- Zimbabwe scored 150 in just 16.1 overs
- Sri Lanka conceded 9.33 runs per over in the chase
What This Means
Sri Lanka entered as favourites, especially batting first at home. But tactical lapses, middle-over stagnation, and expensive spells under pressure proved decisive.
Zimbabwe, disciplined with the ball and fearless in the chase, fully deserved their two points.
For Sri Lanka, questions now emerge:
- Is the bowling attack lacking bite?
- Are middle overs becoming a recurring concern?
- Was 178 ever going to be enough on this surface?
With tougher fixtures ahead in the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka must regroup quickly — because performances like this could derail their campaign early.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Sweats on Pathirana Injury; Hasaranga Comeback on the Cards
Sri Lanka’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has suffered a major setback, with fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana likely to miss the remainder of the tournament due to injury.
The 23-year-old sustained a calf injury during Sri Lanka’s Group B encounter against Australia on Monday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The incident occurred in his opening over when, after delivering the fourth ball, Pathirana suddenly pulled up clutching his left calf before collapsing to the ground in visible discomfort.
Team physiotherapists rushed onto the field as concerned teammates gathered around. The pacer was unable to leave the field without assistance, immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury. Captain Dasun Shanaka completed the over in his absence.
Shortly after, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that Pathirana would take no further part in the match. In a brief statement, SLC said the bowler had experienced discomfort in his left calf and would undergo medical scans for a full assessment.
Major Blow to Pace Attack
Initial indications suggest the injury could rule Pathirana out for the rest of the World Cup — a significant loss for Sri Lanka’s bowling unit. Known for his slingy action and deadly yorkers, especially at the death, Pathirana has been one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable T20 strike bowlers.
If ruled out, team management is expected to consider Dilshan Madushanka or Nuwan Thushara as potential replacements. While both offer pace and variety, replacing Pathirana’s unique skillset will be a challenge.
Hasaranga Return Under Discussion
In a parallel development, Sri Lanka are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Wanindu Hasaranga back into the squad as he continues recovery from a hamstring injury.
Although Hasaranga has not yet regained full match fitness, officials are said to be evaluating whether he could feature later in the tournament — particularly if Sri Lanka qualify for the Super Eight stage.
With their final group match effectively a dead rubber, Sri Lanka have a short window to reassess their injury situation and make strategic decisions. The team management is likely to wait for clearer medical reports before confirming any squad changes.
As the tournament enters a decisive phase, Sri Lanka’s hopes may depend as much on fitness updates as on performances on the field.
Cricket
Colombo Set for High-Voltage India–Pakistan Night Battle
ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup
Colombo is preparing for one of cricket’s biggest nights as India and Pakistan meet in a marquee clash of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.
Beyond tactics and statistics, this is a contest built on history and pride. With both teams in form and World Cup ambitions on the line, Sunday night promises a high-quality contest under the Colombo lights.
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