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Sri Lanka complete white wash thanks to Pathum’s century

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Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka completed a clean sweep of the series against Afghanistan in the third ODI, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s century and Avishka Fernando’s impressive 91 in the third and final ODI worked off at Pallekelle international stadium, Kandy on Wednesday (14).

Afghanistan chose to bat first and managed to post a respectable total of 266 runs before being bowled out in the penultimate over.

The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran got off to a fiery start, scoring 39 runs in just 4.3 overs. However, Zadran was dismissed by a direct hit from Avishka Fernando after contributing 13 runs off 10 deliveries. Gurbaz then formed a solid partnership with Rahmat Shah, adding 47 runs before Rahmat was bowled by Akila Dananjaya in the 18th over, falling just two runs short of his half-century.

Despite losing their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi early on, Rahmat continued to anchor the innings and built a crucial partnership of 58 runs with Azmatullah Omarzai for the fourth wicket. Rahmat was eventually dismissed in the 30th over, but he top-scored for Afghanistan with 65 runs off 77 balls, including seven boundaries and a six.

Omarzai then assumed control of Afghanistan’s batting charge and formed a crucial partnership with Ibrahim Alikhil. Their partnership for the fifth wicket resulted in 57 runs before both players were dismissed in quick succession. Omarzai scored 54 runs off 59 deliveries, including four boundaries, while Alikhil contributed 32 runs in 38 deliveries. The dismissal of both players back-to-back triggered a collapse in the lower order, causing Afghanistan to lose their remaining five wickets for just 29 runs, resulting in a final score of 266.

Pramod Madushan led the bowling attack with figures of 3/45, followed by Asitha Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, and Dhananjaya, who each picked up two wickets.

During the chase, Sri Lanka successfully reached the target in a mere 35.2 overs.

Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando laid a strong foundation for the home team, forming an impressive partnership of 173 runs for the opening wicket.

Avishka Fernando played exceptionally well, scoring 91 runs off 66 balls, including 10 boundaries and 5 sixes while Pathum Nissanka continued his outstanding performance by scoring his second century of the series, accumulating 118 runs with 16 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Kusal Mendis also made a valuable contribution, scoring a quick 40 runs.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan 266 in 48.2 overs (Rahmat Shah 65, Azmatullah Omarzai 54; Pramod Madushan 3-45, Dunith Wellalage 2-38) lost to Sri Lanka 267/2 in 35.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 118*, Avishka Fernando 91) by 8 wickets.

Football

Uzbekistan Dominate Sri Lanka 10-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

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Colombo, June 29 – The Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered a crushing 10-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, exposing not only the performance gap on the field but also the deep-rooted structural failures off it.

From kickoff, Uzbekistan showcased their superiority with relentless attacking football, scoring five goals in each half. The match statistics tell a story of complete dominance:

  • Shots on Target: 14 (Uzbekistan) vs 0 (Sri Lanka)
  • Possession: 70% (Uzbekistan) vs 30% (Sri Lanka)
  • Dangerous Attacks: 137 (Uzbekistan) vs 28 (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka managed only two shots in the entire match—none of which tested the opposition goalkeeper—while spending most of the game pinned back in defense.

However, beyond the scoreboard, this defeat highlights a more alarming truth: the lack of commitment to women’s football by local authorities. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has failed to organize a single women’s tournament domestically in recent years, and the squad selected for this major continental qualifier was chosen solely through a limited trial. There was no competitive platform or league for players to develop or prove themselves ahead of international duty.

This performance is not just a reflection of the players’ inexperience—it’s a direct consequence of administrative negligence. FFSL must take full responsibility for this embarrassing result, as it continues to send underprepared teams to international tournaments merely to safeguard its position, rather than genuinely investing in the development of Sri Lankan football.

Even more concerning is the silence from the Ministry of Sports. Despite the humiliating performances of the Under-20 team in the recent SAFF Championship and now the senior women’s team in the AFC qualifiers, no action has been taken, and no accountability has been demanded. The ministry’s indifference to these repeated failures raises serious questions about its role in ensuring sports governance and development in Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lankan football continues to struggle, it is clear that without structural change, genuine investment, and accountability, results like these will only continue.

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Dialog Schools Rugby League Week 4: Powerhouses Dominate as Rivalries Intensify

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The fourth week of the 2025 Dialog Schools Rugby League brought high-octane action across Colombo and Kandy, as traditional rugby giants asserted dominance while title ambitions sharpened. Here’s a round-up of the top matches that defined the week:

Trinity Outmuscles St. Joseph’s at CR & FC

Trinity College, Kandy, continued their unbeaten streak with a commanding 29-07 win over St. Joseph’s College, Maradana at the CR & FC grounds in Colombo. Trinity crossed the whitewash five times with 5 tries and 2 conversions, displaying explosive forward play and well-structured phases.

St. Joseph’s struggled to match Trinity’s physicality but managed a consolation try and conversion. At halftime, Trinity led 22-0, setting the tone early and maintaining control throughout.

Wesley Tames St. Peter’s in Tight Clash

At Havelock Park, Wesley College recorded a gritty 23-05 victory over St. Peter’s College. The Wesleyites scored 3 tries, 1 conversion, and added 2 penalties, proving their clinical edge under pressure.

St. Peter’s could only respond with a single try and failed to find rhythm. Wesley led 8-0 at the break and controlled territory effectively in the second half.

Isipathana Outguns Zahira in a High-Scoring Thriller

In one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend, Isipathana College edged out Zahira College 38-27 at Zahira Grounds. Isipathana scored 6 tries and 4 conversions, showcasing pace and creativity in attack.

Zahira fought back gallantly with 4 tries, 2 conversions, and a penalty, pushing the defending champions to the limit. At halftime, Isipathana led 26-8, and though Zahira launched a strong second-half rally, the Green Machine held on.

Royal Routs Vidyartha in Dominant Display

Royal College, Colombo, was at their clinical best as they overcame Vidyartha College, Kandy, 29-07 at the Royal Complex. The home side dotted down 5 tries and 2 conversions, demonstrating power rugby and slick handling.

Vidyartha managed a single converted try but struggled to contain Royal’s powerful forwards and rolling mauls. Royal led 12-7 at halftime before pulling away in the second half.

Looking Ahead

With teams like Trinity, Isipathana, and Royal continuing to impress, the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 is shaping up for a thrilling finish. Fans can expect tighter games and fierce battles as title dreams grow stronger.

Stay tuned with Sri Lankan Sports TV for full match reports, results, and exclusive school rugby coverage!

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Athletics

Sri Lanka Shines at Thailand Open 2025 with 11-Medal Haul

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The Sri Lankan athletics team wrapped up a remarkable campaign at the Thailand Open Athletics Championship 2025, securing an impressive 11 medals, including 6 golds, during the competition held from June 21 to 25 in Bangkok.

The Sri Lankan squad, made up of eight athletes—four men and four women—delivered standout performances across track and field events, making the nation proud on the international stage.

Leading the charge was Rusiru Chathuranga, who clinched double gold in the Men’s 800m and 1500m events. Vicknaraj Vakshan added to the tally with a gold in the 5000m and a silver in the 1500m, while W.K.L.A. Nimali matched that feat by claiming gold in the Women’s 800m and silver in the 1500m.

Madushani Herath showed her dominance in the field events, capturing gold in both the long jump and triple jump. Ayomal Akalanka earned silver in the Men’s 400m hurdles, and Wathsala Hapuarachchi took silver in the Women’s 100m hurdles. Safreen Ahmed contributed a bronze medal in the Men’s triple jump.

While seven out of eight athletes reached the podium, Amasha de Silva narrowly missed out, finishing fourth in the Women’s 100m final, showcasing a commendable performance.

The full team is expected to return to Sri Lanka today after a tour that highlights the depth of talent in local athletics and signals strong potential ahead of upcoming regional events

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