News
Shanto, Mushfiqur shine as Bangladesh go up 1-0 in ODI series against Sri Lanka

Bangladesh clinched a convincing six-wicket win, courtesy of an unbeaten century by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the first one-day international (ODI) of a three-game series against Sri Lanka in Chittagong on Wednesday (14).
Najmul’s remarkable innings of 122 not out from 129 deliveries, along with Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten 73, drove Bangladesh to a total of 257-4 in 44.4 overs after dismissing Sri Lanka for 255 runs.
Despite facing early batting difficulties, Bangladesh was in a tough spot at 23-3 following early dismissals by Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan.
Nevertheless, Najmul’s partnership with Mahmudullah Riyad (37) stabilized the innings before Mushfiqur joined him for a crucial fifth-wicket partnership of 165 runs.
Earlier Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to bat first. The team got off to a strong start as Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka built a solid foundation with a 71-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Pathum Nissanka, who returned from a hamstring injury, continued his impressive performance by scoring a quick 36 runs off 28 balls, which included 5 boundaries and a six. Avishka Fernando also contributed with 33 runs off 33 balls to stabilize the Sri Lankan innings.
Nevertheless, Tanzim Shakib’s comeback to the attack was crucial for Bangladesh as he took out both openers in consecutive overs, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 2-72.
Sri Lanka faced further setbacks when Sadeera Samarawickrama (3) fell to Tanzim Shakib’s bowling, reducing them to 84-3.
With Bangaldesh bolwers clearly on top, Skipper Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka then built a steady partnership of 44 runs before Charith was bowled by Mahedi Hassan Miraz in the 25th over.
At 128-4, Kusal Mendis found a reliable partner in Janith Liyanage, and together they cautiously built a crucial partnership of 69 runs for the fifth wicket.
During this partnership, Kusal Mendis reached his 29th ODI half-century, scoring 59 runs off 75 balls, including 5 boundaries and a six. However, Taskin Ahmed put an end to the partnership by dismissing Kusal Mendis.
From there onwards Sri Lanka never recovered as their middle order fell like a pack of cards with the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga (13), Maheesh Theekshana (1), Pramod Madushan (08) all departing cheaply to leave Sri Lanka in a spot of bother.
However, When the chips were down, Janith Liyanage who is playing his 5th ODI game show maturity in the middle and played a crucial role for Sri Lanka as he batted sensibly and scored a fighting 67 runs off 69 deliveries, including 3 boundaries and 2 sixes.
His contribution helped Sri Lanka surpass the 250 runs mark.
At one stage it looked like Sri Lanka could reach a total above 300 but a brilliant death bowling display denied Sri Lanka’s counter attack.
Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Shakib, were the standout bowlers snaring three wickets apiece, while Mehidy Hassan Miraz picked up a wicket.
The win saw Bangladesh go up 1-0 in the three match series with two games to spare.
The two sides will next meet in the second ODI game on Friday at the same venue.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 257 for 4 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 122, Mushfiqur Rahim 73, Dilshan Madushanka 2-44)
Sri Lanka 255 all out (Janith Liyanage 67, Kusal Mendis 59, Tanzim Shakib 3-44, Shoriful Islam 3-51, Taskin Ahmed 3-60)
Cricket
Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry
Cricket enthusiasts in Mirigama and Giriulla are in for an exciting showdown as D.S. Senanayake College, Mirigama, and Wickramshila National School, Giriulla, prepare to launch their first-ever “Battle of Green” big match.
This historic encounter will take place at the Mirigama Public Grounds, marking the beginning of a thrilling annual rivalry between the two schools. Fans from both towns are expected to gather in large numbers, adding to the electric atmosphere of this inaugural clash.
The introduction of the Battle of Green is a significant milestone for school cricket in the region, providing a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent while fostering sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
Stay tuned for match updates, player insights, and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Football
Sri Lankan Football in Crisis: Corruption, Mismanagement, and a Forgotten Future
Sri Lankan football is facing an unprecedented crisis, with corruption, financial mismanagement, and neglect threatening to erase any hope for the sport’s future. Despite repeated warnings, investigations, and calls for reform, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) under its current leadership has continued to operate with impunity, ignoring the development of local players while prioritizing foreign-born recruits.
Audit Findings Ignored – Where is the Accountability?
The Ministry of Sports’ audit report uncovered multiple financial discrepancies within FFSL, yet no action has been taken to rectify them. The Finance Committee raised critical concerns, including:
- Unpaid Media Rights Payment of USD 10,000
- A missing payment for SAFF Sri Lanka match media rights, with public service media confirming they never received the funds.
- The Finance Committee instructed immediate resolution, yet no updates have been provided.
- Unresolved Zolo Football Purchase
- FFSL paid LKR 12,775,000 for Zolo footballs from Ceylon Professional Sports Management (CPSM) without a financial guarantee, violating tender procedures.
- The Finance Committee recommended either securing the footballs or recovering the funds, with escalation to the CID if unresolved. No progress has been reported.
- Unpaid Sponsorship Payment of USD 30,000
- Sponsorship funds from Public Service Media (PSM) for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy remain unaccounted for.
- Despite instructions to resolve the matter, FFSL has failed to provide any updates.
FFSL’s Downward Spiral – A Lost Generation of Footballers
While Sri Lanka’s football governance remains plagued by corruption, the country’s domestic football structure has completely collapsed. There have been no domestic tournaments since 2022, depriving young players of a pathway to professional football. Despite over 42,000 active school-level players across 600 schools, FFSL has failed to support grassroots development, instead using school tournaments for branding while parents bear the costs.
Rather than investing in homegrown talent, the FFSL has prioritized recruiting foreign-based players to represent Sri Lanka’s national team. The current squad is unrecognizable, with only captain Sujan Perera representing local talent. Critics argue that these foreign recruits, most of whom play in third or fourth-tier leagues abroad, are using Sri Lankan representation to boost their own careers while the nation’s domestic football stagnates.
Sri Lanka’s Footballing Reputation in Tatters
The state of Sri Lankan football reached an embarrassing low during the AFC Cup qualifiers when head coach Abdullah Almutairi received a red card—a rare and humiliating moment in international football. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s FIFA ranking has plummeted from 124th to 200th out of 207, driven by alleged embezzlement of FIFA and AFC funds under successive FFSL presidents.
Unlike successful footballing nations, which integrate foreign-origin players into domestic leagues before calling them up to the national team, Sri Lanka’s approach has been reckless and damaging. The lack of Pro License coaches for the past 30 years has further exacerbated the decline, leaving Sri Lanka lagging behind regional peers like India and the Maldives.
FFSL’s Financial Mismanagement & Political Interference
- FFSL has failed to present audited accounts since 2022, with officials suppressing the ministry’s audit report to avoid scrutiny.
- Stolen equipment, including Adidas footballs, bags, and boots, has been traced to top FFSL officials, including former national captains and the finance manager. CCTV footage reportedly supports these claims.
- Despite widespread allegations, successive sports ministers have turned a blind eye, allowing FFSL officials to manipulate narratives and maintain their grip on power.
- The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2023-2024 has been postponed until March 2025—deliberately delaying accountability measures.
Will the Government Finally Take Action?
The newly elected government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. Yet, despite the Ministry of Sports uncovering serious financial mismanagement, no action has been taken to hold FFSL accountable.
The time for promises has long passed. If Sri Lanka is to salvage its footballing future, immediate intervention is needed from the government, FIFA, and relevant stakeholders. Failure to act now will not only doom the sport but also betray the thousands of young Sri Lankan footballers who still dream of wearing the national jersey.
The question remains: Will the government finally clean up the mess in Sri Lankan football, or will corruption continue to suffocate the game?
Football
Sri Lanka Faces Thailand in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers – Live
Sri Lanka is set to take on Thailand in a crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier today. With history favoring Thailand in past encounters, the Sri Lankan squad will look to turn the tide and secure a positive result.
Sri Lanka has struggled in previous meetings, losing all five of their last encounters against Thailand, including a 2-0 defeat in their most recent clash in 2022. However, with a revamped squad and fresh motivation, they aim to challenge their higher-ranked opponents.
Thailand, known for its structured play and attacking prowess, will be looking to continue its dominance. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, still in the rebuilding phase, will need a strong defensive display and tactical discipline to stand a chance.
Can Sri Lanka pull off an upset and make a statement on the continental stage? Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis.
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