News
Revisiting the 2019 World Cup and the league format
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will follow the same format as the previous edition four years ago, meaning that all 10 teams will face one another.
With a new format set to be introduced in 2027, this will be the final go-around for the 10-team Group Stage which provides 45 entertaining encounters to decide on four semi-finalists.
In 2019, that began with a thrilling clash between England and South Africa at The Oval – the home side getting off to a winning start on their way to a maiden ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup victory.
With every team playing nine matches, the Group Stage lasted six weeks, with ebbs and flows as new contenders emerged.
The beauty of the format meant that a slow start was not necessarily fatal to a team’s chances of progressing.
In 2019, for example, Pakistan started very slowly, winning just one of their opening five matches – earning a 14-run success over eventual champions England at Trent Bridge.
Despite that, Pakistan finished with four successive victories to get to within a whisker of qualification, missing out on the semi-finals on net run-rate.
They finished level on points with runners-up New Zealand and just one point behind England as momentum almost carried them into the semi-finals as the form side.
At the other end of the spectrum, Australia were the first team to clinch a place in the last four, winning six of their first seven matches, the only exception a defeat to India.
India were the next team to book their semi-final spot, beating Bangladesh on their way to leading the Group Stage with seven wins from nine matches.
However, the World Cup is as much about timing your run as being fast starters, and it was the hosts and the Kiwis who found their best form come semi-final time.
With every team having had their chance to take on the world’s best, the knock-out stages were all about peaking on the day.
First up were India and New Zealand, who faced off over two days at Old Trafford as the weather played its part in proceedings.
It went down to the wire, but some stunning fielding from Martin Guptill to remove MS Dhoni in the penultimate over helped the Black Caps to an 18-run victory.
The following day, England were rather more emphatic in avenging their Group Stage loss to Australia, powering to an eight-wicket win to earn a place in the final for the first time since 1992.
Those results meant that the final would crown a new champion for the first time in more than two decades since Sri Lanka had claimed victory as one of the hosts in 1996.
England went onto emulate the Sri Lankans, famously doing so in the most dramatic circumstances at Lord’s.
New Zealand made 241 for eight batting first, before England matched that total, bowled out for 241 in reply to set up a Super Over.
Again, the teams matched each other blow for blow in the Super Over, each scoring 15 runs, as England were crowned champions on boundaries scored.
Victors in the first game, champions in the last, England showed just how to manage this Cricket World Cup format on their way to lifting the trophy.
The question now is, will they be able to repeat the feat or will someone else prove to be the masters of the 10-team Group Stage set-up?
The Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 has reached its most exciting phase as the semi-finalists are now confirmed. The competition has been intense, with top teams battling it out in the Super Eight stage to secure their spot in the final four.
Semi-Final Fixtures
Defending Champions Alighar National College vs. Hameed Al Husseine College
Last Year’s Runners-Up Zahira College vs. St. Joseph’s College (Last Year’s 4th Place Team)
Tournament Recap & Key Highlights
Alighar National College, the defending champions, have once again proven their dominance, finishing at the top of their group. They now face Hameed Al Husseine College, a team that has shown excellent tactical discipline and resilience throughout the tournament.
Zahira College, who finished as runners-up last year, continue to impress with strong performances and now face a determined St. Joseph’s College, a team that has significantly improved since last season and will be looking to cause an upset.
Al Falah College, a newly promoted team to Division 1, has been one of the standout performers this year, proving that they can compete at the highest level despite not making the semi-finals.
Last year third place Darrusalam College unable to proceed to Semi Finals
What to Expect in the Semi-Finals
With four powerhouse teams ready to fight for a spot in the final, fans can expect high-intensity clashes, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments. The road to glory is not easy, and only the two best teams will advance to the grand finale.
Will Alighar National College successfully defend their title, or will we see a new champion emerge? Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates, match previews, and expert analysis.
In the second week of the ongoing “Mastercard Plate Championship” Inter-Club Rugby Football Tournament, organized by the Sri Lanka Rugby, C.H. & F.C. Club and Army Sports Club clinched impressive victories, strengthening their standings in the tournament.
C.H. & F.C. Dominate Sri Lions Club 47-20
C.H. & F.C. showcased their prowess by defeating Sri Lions Club with a decisive 47-20 victory in the 41st match at the Ratmalana Air Force Camp Ground. Despite trailing 14-17 at halftime, C.H. & F.C. surged ahead, scoring six goals and one try, while Sri Lions managed two goals, one try, and one penalty.
This win propelled C.H. & F.C. to the top of the “Palanga” championship standings among five competing clubs. The London-based club has played 10 matches since the preliminary round, securing five wins and accumulating 33 points, including eight bonus points.
Army Overpowers Navy 49-22
In the 42nd match at the Ratmalana Air Force Base, Army Sports Club secured a commanding 49-22 win over Navy Club. The Army team demonstrated their strength by scoring three goals, five tries, and one penalty. The Navy team responded with two goals, one try, and one penalty. The score was tied 10-10 at halftime, but Army’s aggressive play in the second half sealed the victory.
Current Standings in the Palanga Championship
- C.H. & F.C.: 33 points (8 bonus points, 5 wins from 10 matches)
- Army Sports Club: 24 points (4 wins from 9 matches)
- Police Sports Club: 21 points
- Sri Lions Club: 13 points
- Navy Club: 5 points
With these recent victories, both C.H. & F.C. and Army Sports Club are poised to maintain their momentum as the “Mastercard Plate Championship” progresses. Fans can look forward to more thrilling action as the tournament continues to unfold.
Football
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
The Super Eight Round of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 (Under 20 Division 1 Boys Football Tournament) has ended on a high note, producing four standout teams that will battle for a place in the final. Below is a comprehensive look at the match results, final points tables, and key highlights from the tournament so far.
Match Results Overview
- St. Joseph’s College 4-0 Darussalam College
- Kalutara Muslim Central 2-3 Alighar National School
- Hameed Al Husseine College 1-0 Al Falah College
- Zahira College 4-0 St. Patrick’s College
- St. Joseph’s College 1-1 Alighar National School
- Darussalam College 7-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
- Al Falah College 0-3 Zahira College
- St. Patrick’s College 0-4 Hameed Al Husseine College
- Alighar National School 5-1 Darussalam College
- St. Joseph’s College 1-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
- Zahira College 2-0 Hameed Al Husseine College
- Al Falah College 3-2 St. Patrick’s College
Group A Standings
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alighar National School | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 7 |
| 2 | St. Joseph’s College | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |
| 3 | Darussalam College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | Kalutara Muslim Central College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):
- Alighar National School
- St. Joseph’s College
Group B Standings
| Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zahira College | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 9 |
| 2 | Hameed Al Husseine College | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | Al Falah College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | St. Patrick’s College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):
- Zahira College
- Hameed Al Husseine College
Summary & Semi-Final Preview
- Alighar National School and St. Joseph’s College finished level on points at the top of Group A. Their draw against each other kept the race tight, but both teams delivered strong performances in the remaining matches to secure 7 points each.
- Zahira College dominated Group B with three consecutive wins, scoring 9 goals and conceding none. Hameed Al Husseine College followed suit, showcasing solid defense and earning 6 points to claim the second semi-final berth.
- Darussalam College, Kalutara Muslim Central, Al Falah College, and St. Patrick’s College showed fighting spirit but fell short in the quest for the knockout stage.
Semi Finals
- Alighar National School will face Hameed Al Husseine College in the Semi Finals
- Zahira College will face St. Joseph’s College in the Semi Finals
The semi-finals promise high-octane clashes as the top contenders face off. Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for exclusive match previews, live coverage, and post-match analysis as we approach the grand finale of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025.
Semi-Final Clash Set as Defending Champions Face Tough Challenges
C.H. & F.C. and Army Sports Club Secure Victories in Mastercard Plate Championship
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
-
Football2 weeks agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Live3 years agoLive Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Cricket3 weeks agoSri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test: Spin to Dominate as Galle Pitch Set to Turn
-
Football1 month agoFFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football1 month agoSri Lanka Football: Upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualification Matches & Fixtures
-
Football1 month agoErling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City
-
Cricket4 weeks agoUsman Khawaja Backs Sam Konstas as His Opening Partner Ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
-
Football2 days agoSri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
