News
Rashid Khan ruled out from the first and second ODI against Sri Lanka due to a lower back injury
Afghanistan faced a major blow ahead of the first one-dayer against Sri Lanka after their ace spinner Rashid has been ruled out from the first and second ODI due to a lower back injury.
Rashid Khan was recently seen in action at the recently concluded IPL playing for the Gujrat Titans which his team ended as runner-up.
Though the Afghanistan star was the tournament’s joint second-highest wicket-taker with 27 strikes he had a bad outing in the finale against Chennai Super Kings which he was thrashed all over the park to end his quota of overs reading 44-0.
However, Rashid Khan is expected to be fit for the third and Final ODI on 7 June.
Rashid’s absence means Afghanistan will rely more on his IPL teammate Noor Ahmad who also represented Gujarat Titans at the IPL 2023.
Noor had a successful IPL stint for the Titans, bagging 16 wickets from 13 games and also fared well in the grand finale picking up 2 important wickets from Ruturag Gaikwad and Devon Conway and giving away just 17 runs. Though Noor hasn’t much experience playing for Afghanistan the youngster is expected to play a major role in turning wickets in Hambanthota.
The Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka three-match series begins on June 2. Just seven days after the ODI series, Afghanistan is scheduled to play a one-off Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
News
Sri Lanka Rugby Appoints Thierry Janeczek as Head Coach
Sri Lanka Rugby has confirmed the appointment of former France international and seasoned rugby sevens coach Thierry Janeczek on a six-month contract to lead the national sevens team in preparation for the Asian Games in Aichi, Nagoya later this year.
Janeczek, who arrives in Colombo on March 20, will observe the two legs of the BogoLiv Union Pay International SLR Sevens Series before returning in April to formally begin his coaching programme. His initial contract runs for six months, with the possibility of extension based on the team’s performance at the Asian Games.
At 66, Janeczek brings decades of experience to the role. A former flanker with three caps for France, he made his mark in the sevens format, representing his country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993. He later coached the French national sevens team from 1996 to 2010, guiding them through more than 100 international tournaments and securing notable victories, including France’s first-ever international final win at the Paris Sevens in 2005.
His coaching résumé includes developing over 50 international players, training more than 100 certified coaches, and achieving Olympic success by leading France’s U18 team to gold at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.
Cricket
Inquiry Launched Over Bloomfield’s Controversial Declaration
Sri Lanka Cricket has moved swiftly to launch an inquiry into Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club’s declaration during their Major Super Eight encounter against Moors Sports Club at Colts Grounds. The decision, which has been branded “unsporty” by critics, saw Bloomfield declare at 239 for 6 despite trailing on first innings, leaving Moors a modest chase of 147 runs. Moors completed the task comfortably, winning by four wickets in just 33 overs and reclaiming their place at the top of the table.
The declaration has raised serious questions about the spirit of competition, prompting SLC to summon captains, coaches, managers, and players from both sides for an official hearing this evening. At the heart of the probe lies a crucial issue: was Bloomfield’s move a bold tactical gamble or a breach of cricketing integrity?
With domestic cricket’s credibility now under the spotlight, the outcome of this inquiry could have significant consequences for the game in Sri Lanka, setting a precedent for how declarations and match strategies are judged in the future.
Cricket
Royal–Thomian One-Day Clash Moved from Night to Day to Counter Fuel Crisis
The Organizing Committee of the 49th Mustangs Trophy, the prestigious Royal‑Thomian One‑Day Cricket Encounter, has announced a significant change to this year’s fixture. The match, scheduled for 28th March 2026, will now be played as a day event instead of the originally planned day‑night format.
This decision comes in response to the ongoing global fuel crisis, with organizers emphasizing the importance of reducing energy consumption and standing in solidarity with the wider public. By shifting to a daytime schedule, the committee aims to minimize the additional fuel demands typically associated with floodlit matches, reflecting a strong commitment to social responsibility and national interest.
Guidance for this move was provided by the Heads of Royal College and S. Thomas’ College, and the change has been formally endorsed by the 147th Royal‑Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee. Both schools’ Old Boy fraternities, along with sponsors, have expressed full support for the adjustment, underscoring the unity and shared responsibility that define this historic encounter.
The Joint Committee reaffirmed that while the format has changed, the essence of the Mustangs Trophy remains untouched.
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