Cricket
SLC Drops Social Media Follower Rule From LPL Season 6 Player Criteria
Sri Lanka Cricket has revised the player eligibility criteria for the upcoming Lanka Premier League Season 6, removing a controversial requirement linked to social media popularity after widespread criticism from fans and members of the cricket community.
The latest edition of the LPL Season 6 Player Registration and Draft Guide, released as Version 1.5 on May 9, no longer contains any minimum follower count requirements for players registering under the Icon, Star, or Gold categories.
The change comes just a day after Version 1.4 of the guide drew backlash for introducing social media-based benchmarks alongside cricketing qualifications. Under the earlier rules, players in the Icon and Star categories were expected to maintain more than 250,000 social media followers, while Gold category players were required to have at least 150,000 followers.
The previous guidelines described top-tier players as individuals with strong commercial value and a significant online audience, prompting criticism that the league was prioritizing digital influence over cricketing merit.
Following the backlash, Sri Lanka Cricket removed all references to follower counts in the revised document while keeping the existing cricket-related qualifications intact. Players will still be assessed based on factors such as international T20 experience, franchise league participation, and recent competitive appearances.
The original social media clause triggered debate across online platforms, with many questioning the contradiction between the new LPL criteria and Sri Lanka Cricket’s past messaging encouraging national players to limit distractions from social media and focus on performance.
Critics also argued that a player’s standing in the tournament should be determined by achievements on the field rather than online popularity.
Although the revised regulations eliminate follower-based eligibility requirements, the LPL framework continues to place considerable importance on marketing and fan engagement. Players are still expected to participate in promotional campaigns, fan interaction events, media activities, and scheduled social media promotions throughout the tournament.
Cricket
Online Abuse Targets Sri Lanka A Cricketer After Match Incident
Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage has reportedly become the latest victim of online harassment after a match-related confrontation with India A batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi sparked widespread discussion on social media.
The incident occurred during Sri Lanka A’s dramatic Super Over triumph over India A in the Tri-Nation Series on Monday. Footage showing a tense exchange between the two young cricketers quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing significant attention from cricket fans.
Following the match, Halambage’s Instagram account was flooded with critical and abusive messages, with many comments reportedly originating from social media users reacting to the on-field altercation. Unverified reports also suggested that individuals connected to the player were subjected to online harassment.
By Tuesday, Halambage’s Instagram profile appeared to be inaccessible. While some reports indicated that the account may have been blocked or restricted after receiving numerous complaints, the exact reason remains unclear. Neither the player nor Instagram has publicly commented on the matter.
The episode has once again brought attention to the growing issue of online abuse in sport, where athletes particularly younger players can face intense backlash following high-profile incidents. Sports analysts and observers have repeatedly called for greater efforts to curb harassment on digital platforms and promote responsible fan engagement.
The match itself ended in a memorable victory for Sri Lanka A, but the events that followed have shifted attention toward the challenges athletes face beyond the boundary ropes.
Cricket
Sri Lanka A prevail in Super Over thriller as tempers flare after dramatic finish
Sri Lanka A held their nerve to defeat India A in a thrilling Super Over contest in the One-Day Tri-Series in Dambulla, but the dramatic finish was overshadowed by a heated post-match confrontation involving Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vishen Halambage.
After both teams finished level on 265, Sri Lanka A posted 16 runs in the Super Over through aggressive contributions from Avishka Fernando and captain Sahan Arachchige. India A, chasing 17, were restricted to just nine runs as young pacer Kugathas Mathulan delivered under pressure to seal a memorable victory.
The match had already produced plenty of late drama. India A’s Arshad Khan conceded only four runs in the final over of Sri Lanka’s chase when five were required for victory, forcing the contest into a Super Over as fading light added to the tension. Despite concerns over visibility and a scheduled cut-off time, officials allowed play to continue.
Emotions spilled over moments after the Super Over ended. Visuals showed Sri Lanka’s Vishen Halambage and Wanuja Sahan exchanging words with the departing Indian batters. Suryansh Shedge appeared to point his bat towards Halambage before Sooryavanshi turned back and confronted the Sri Lankan player. The exchange quickly escalated, with the two players shoving each other before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to separate them and calm tempers.
Earlier, India A recovered from 125 for 6 thanks to Suryansh Shedge’s 72 and Vipraj Nigam’s 51 to post 265. Sri Lanka A’s chase was anchored by Sadeera Samarawickrama’s superb 93, which kept them in contention before a dramatic final-over finish and eventual Super Over triumph completed a remarkable contest.
Cricket
West Indies edge Sri Lanka to clinch series
West Indies held their nerve in a tense chase to defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final T20I and seal the series at home on Sunday.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 169 all out in their allotted 20 overs after several batsmen made useful contributions. Opener Pathum Nissanka provided an early spark with 26 off 17 balls, while Kamil Mishara added 28 and Kamindu Mendis struck 20.
The innings was anchored by all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, whose aggressive 43 from 28 deliveries, featuring six boundaries and a six, lifted Sri Lanka during the closing stages. Wanindu Hasaranga also chipped in with a brisk 21 off 13 balls.
However, Sri Lanka lost wickets at crucial intervals and were unable to fully capitalize on a promising platform. Fast bowler Shamar Joseph starred for the hosts, claiming 5 for 33 in a match-winning spell. He received solid support from Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase, who shared the remaining wickets.
Chasing 170, West Indies suffered an early setback when captain Shai Hope fell for a duck. Sri Lanka tightened their grip further by reducing the hosts to 53 for 4, with Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana applying pressure through the middle overs.
Shimron Hetmyer counterattacked with 32 off 19 balls before Rovman Powell contributed a valuable 33. The decisive partnership came through Sherfane Rutherford and Holder.
Rutherford remained unbeaten on 54 from 40 deliveries, striking three fours and four sixes, while Holder blasted an unbeaten 21 from just five balls, including three towering sixes.
West Indies reached 170 for 5 with two balls to spare, completing a memorable victory and securing the series after a hard-fought contest between the two sides.
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