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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.

Cricket

KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout

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In a tragic turn of events following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 title win, a deadly stampede at the celebratory event held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured several others. The aftermath has sparked controversy and accountability issues, leading to major resignations and legal action.

Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned on Friday, citing “moral responsibility” for the incident. Their resignations were submitted to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, as questions mount over mismanagement and negligence at the overcrowded venue.

The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR listing RCB, DNA Entertainment (event partner), and KSCA as accused parties. Police confirmed that the event had not been granted official permission. In a swift move, Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s head of marketing and revenue, was arrested—raising further scrutiny over organizational lapses.

KSCA has filed a writ petition calling the FIR a “knee-jerk” reaction under political pressure. They argued that crowd control and gate management were the responsibilities of RCB and the event organizers, not KSCA.

RCB has announced INR 10 lakh compensation for each victim and committed to covering all medical expenses of the injured. However, the franchise has yet to make a comprehensive public statement.

This incident raises serious concerns about sports event management and safety standards, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a moment of celebration in Indian cricket

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Football

Asia Leads the Charge as 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Begin to Take Shape

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The road to the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup is gaining momentum, and Asia is already making its mark on football’s grandest stage. With an expanded format featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition promises to be the most inclusive and diverse yet — and Asia is stepping up early.

🇯🇵 Japan Sets the Benchmark for Asia

Japan was the first nation worldwide to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring their dominance in Asian football. Unbeaten in their qualifying campaign with six wins and one draw, the Samurai Blue continue to be the standard-bearers for the continent.

🇮🇷 Iran Continues Consistent Form

Iran soon followed Japan, securing their seventh overall World Cup appearance and fourth consecutive berth. The team remained undefeated in their group, showcasing the experience and tactical depth that has made them a fixture on the world stage.

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan Makes Historic Debut

In one of the most emotional stories of the qualifiers so far, Uzbekistan qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. A gritty 0-0 draw against the UAE was enough for the Central Asian side to clinch a spot, sparking nationwide celebrations. Their rise highlights the growing strength of second-tier Asian nations on the global stage.

Asia’s Presence Grows in 2026 Format

Asia is guaranteed eight slots in the 2026 World Cup — a significant jump from previous editions — allowing the region to showcase more talent, depth, and emerging football powerhouses. With teams like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Australia still in the hunt, the continent could make a serious impact come 2026.

Global Context

The tournament’s expanded format and host countries in North America mark a new era for international football. With 104 matches, 16 host cities, and an increased number of participants, it will be a celebration of global diversity — and Asian nations are ready to shine.

Countries Qualified So Far

  • Asia: 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
  • Oceania: 🇳🇿 New Zealand
  • South America: 🇦🇷 Argentina

(Additional qualifiers from other confederations are ongoing.)

As the countdown to 2026 begins, all eyes are on Asia’s rising stars — ready to challenge the world and redefine the future of football.

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Cricket

Sachithra Senanayake Indicted in Landmark Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Law

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Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been formally indicted before the Hambantota High Court, marking a historic first in Sri Lanka’s efforts to criminalize corruption in sports. The charges stem from an alleged match-fixing attempt during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL), making Senanayake the first player to face prosecution under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.

Senanayake, currently out on bail, is accused of attempting to influence Colombo Kings player Tharindu Ratnayake to underperform during the tournament. The incident reportedly occurred via a WhatsApp message, which was later flagged by a local anti-corruption officer, prompting an official investigation in 2020.

The case falls under the landmark legislation introduced in 2019 by then Sports Minister Harin Fernando, which criminalizes match-fixing and related offenses in the country. If convicted, Senanayake could face a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine reaching Rs. 100 million, or both.

The indictment signals a serious shift in Sri Lanka’s approach to tackling corruption in sports. Authorities hope this high-profile case will serve as a strong deterrent against similar offenses in the future.

Senanayake, once a celebrated off-spinner and a member of Sri Lanka’s victorious 2014 ICC T20 World Cup squad, now faces the grim prospect of being remembered not for his achievements on the field, but for his role in one of Sri Lanka’s most significant match-fixing scandals.

As the case unfolds, it casts a spotlight on the broader issue of corruption in sports and reinforces the urgent need for integrity, vigilance, and transparent governance across all levels of competition in Sri Lanka

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