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Sri Lanka Clinch ODI Series Against West Indies with a Game to Spare

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Sri Lanka secured a convincing 2-0 series victory against the West Indies in the second ODI at Pallekele, clinching the three-match series with one game left. Skipper Charith Asalanka led the charge with an unbeaten 62*, guiding Sri Lanka to a five-wicket win in a rain-shortened match, with 44 balls to spare.

Match Overview

  • Sri Lanka: 190/5 in 36.4 overs
  • West Indies: 189 all out in 36 overs
  • Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (DLS Method)

The match, initially set for 50 overs per side, was reduced to 44 overs due to rain. West Indies, sent in to bat, struggled early, losing wickets rapidly to be 58 for 8, before a resilient stand between Shefarne Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50*) revived their innings.

West Indies Innings

  • Shefarne Rutherford: 80 (98 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
  • Gudakesh Motie: 50* (67 balls, 4 fours)
  • Ninth-wicket partnership: 119 runs
  • Best Sri Lankan bowler: Dushmantha Chameera – 3/25 in 7 overs
  • Notable bowling performances: Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka dismantled the Windies’ top order. West Indies were bowled out for 189 in 36 overs.

Despite the ninth-wicket partnership, the total was below par, as Sri Lankan bowlers dominated the early stages, exploiting the seam-friendly conditions in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka’s Chase

Sri Lanka’s chase wasn’t smooth, as they lost opener Avishka Fernando early for 12, followed by Kusal Mendis (14) as Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd kept the pressure on.

  • Nishan Madushka: 38 (53 balls, 3 fours)
  • Sadeera Samarawickrama: 38 (47 balls, 4 fours)
  • Third-wicket partnership: 62 runs
  • Charith Asalanka: 62* (48 balls, 5 fours, 1 six)
  • Janith Liyanage: 24 (28 balls)

After a 62-run stand between Madushka and Samarawickrama, Asalanka steadied the innings and built another key partnership with Janith Liyanage (24) to ensure Sri Lanka crossed the target comfortably.

Asalanka’s form continues to impress as he followed up his 77 in the first ODI with a match-winning knock in the second.

Key Statistics:

  1. Charith Asalanka’s Series Performance: 139 runs in 2 ODIs, averaging 139.00 with a strike rate of 92.66.
  2. Sri Lanka Bowling Attack: Chameera has taken 5 wickets in 2 matches, averaging 12.80 with an economy rate of 4.71.
  3. Shefarne Rutherford’s Impact: The top scorer for the West Indies with 121 runs in 2 innings, averaging 60.50.
  4. Ninth-Wicket Partnership Record: The 119-run stand between Rutherford and Motie is one of the highest ninth-wicket partnerships for the West Indies in ODIs.

Conclusion

With this win, Sri Lanka sealed the ODI series 2-0, leaving the third and final game as a formality. The team’s dominance, particularly with both ball and bat in the middle overs, highlights their improving performance heading into future challenges. The West Indies, meanwhile, will look to salvage some pride in the final game after back-to-back losses.

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Football

Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Standings & Upcoming Matches Preview

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The Super Eight Round of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 – Under 20 Division 1 Boys Football Tournament has been intense, with teams battling for a spot in the next stage.

Current Standings (After 8 Matches)

Group A

1. St. Joseph’s College – 4 points (1W, 1D, 0L) | Goals: 5-1

2. Alighar National School – 4 points (1W, 1D, 0L) | Goals: 4-1

3. Darussalam College – 3 points (1W, 0D, 1L) | Goals: 7-4

4. Kalutara Muslim Central College – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-10

Group B

1. Zahira College Colombo – 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L) | Goals: 7-0

2. Hameed Al Husseine College – 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L) | Goals: 5-0

3. Al Falah College Negombo – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-4

4. St. Patrick’s College Jaffna – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-8

Key Highlights So Far

• Zahira College Colombo and Hameed Al Husseine College remain unbeaten in Group B.

• St. Joseph’s College and Alighar National School are leading Group A but are closely followed by Darussalam College, making the race for the semifinals highly competitive.

• Kalutara Muslim Central College and St. Patrick’s College Jaffna are yet to score points and are struggling in their respective groups.

Upcoming Matches & Their Impact

• St. Joseph’s College vs. Alighar National School (MD-5): A potential group-decider as both teams are tied on points.

• Darussalam College vs. Kalutara Muslim Central College (MD-5): Darussalam has a chance to secure a semifinal spot with a win.

• Zahira College vs. Hameed Al Husseine College (MD-6): The top two teams in Group B will clash in a high-stakes match that could determine the group winner.

• Al Falah College vs. St. Patrick’s College (MD-6): A crucial battle for survival in Group B.

With four more matches remaining, every point counts, and teams will be looking to secure their places in the knockout stage. Stay tuned for more updates!

Follow us for match reports, results, and exclusive insights on the Sri Lanka Schools Football Championship 2025. 

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Cricket

Sri Lanka Masters Set for International Masters League T20 2025 Challenge

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Sri Lanka Masters, led by legendary wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, are all set to compete in the much-anticipated International Masters League T20 2025. The tournament, featuring cricketing greats from six nations, will kick off on February 22 and conclude with the final on March 16 in Raipur, India.

Sri Lanka Masters’ Fixtures

The team will begin their campaign against India Masters on February 22 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. They will then take on South Africa Masters on February 26, followed by a high-voltage clash against Australia Masters on February 28. Their group stage will continue with matches against West Indies Masters on March 6 and England Masters on March 10 before the semi-finals on March 13 and 14.

Squad Overview

The Sri Lanka Masters squad boasts a mix of experience and all-round talent. With Sangakkara leading from the front, the team includes seasoned campaigners such as Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Tharanga, and Lahiru Thirimanne. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, and Isuru Udana, while all-rounders like Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, and Chaturanga de Silva provide balance to the squad.

Expectations & Key Players to Watch

With a strong batting unit led by Sangakkara and Tharanga, Sri Lanka Masters will look to dominate in the powerplay and set up big totals. The bowling attack, featuring Pradeep and Lakmal, will be crucial in restricting opposition teams. All-rounders like Prasanna and Mendis could play a pivotal role in tight situations.

As the tournament unfolds, Sri Lanka Masters will aim to make a strong statement and challenge for the coveted title. With cricketing legends returning to the field, fans can expect thrilling encounters and moments of brilliance from the island nation’s seasoned stars.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for exclusive updates and match analysis from the International Masters League T20 2025!

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Football

Super 8 Round Begins with Exciting Matches Amid Media Coverage Concerns

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The Super 8 round of the Sri Lanka Schools Football Championship 2025 kicked off at Kelaniya Football Grounds, featuring dominant performances and intense competition. However, despite Sri Lankan Sports TV officially requesting media coverage access, the organizers failed to respond, raising concerns regarding transparency and event management.

Matchday 1 (14th February 2025)

🔹 St. Joseph’s College 4-0 Darussalam College
St. Joseph’s College started strong with a commanding 4-0 victory over Darussalam College. R. Bright stole the show with an impressive hat-trick, leading his team to an emphatic win.

🔹 Alighar National School 3-0 Kalutara Muslim Central College (Walkover)
Kalutara Muslim Central College was unable to participate due to unforeseen circumstances, resulting in a 3-0 walkover victory for Alighar National School.

Matchday 2 (15th February 2025)

🔹 Hameed Al Husseinie College 1-0 Al Falah College
A closely contested match saw Hameed Al Husseinie College secure a 1-0 win against Al Falah College, demonstrating solid defense and tactical play.

🔹 Zahira College 4-0 St. Patrick’s College
Zahira College put on a dominant display, winning 4-0 against St. Patrick’s College. Their attacking force looked sharp, sending a strong statement for the upcoming matches.

Media Coverage Dispute

Despite Sri Lankan Sports TV’s formal request to live stream the matches, the organizers refused to provide access, citing the need for approval from FFSL. However, the legal rights for the tournament remain with Sri Lankan Sports TV, making this an unfortunate situation for fans and stakeholders eager for wider coverage.

Stay tuned for further updates on Sri Lankan Sports TV.

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