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Sri Lanka complete white wash thanks to Pathum’s century
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.
Shammi Silva has been re-elected as the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president for the 2025-27 term, marking his fourth consecutive tenure at the helm of the nation’s cricket governing body. Silva secured the position uncontested at the 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Colombo on Monday.
A Controversial Yet Dominant Tenure
Silva’s leadership has not been without controversy. His previous term saw a high-profile clash with former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe in 2023, which led to an interim committee being appointed after Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the ICC ODI World Cup. This move resulted in ICC suspending SLC, which led to Sri Lanka losing the hosting rights for the U19 Men’s World Cup, which was later held in South Africa.
Despite these setbacks, Silva regained control after a court ruling reinstated his administration, and he was later appointed as the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in December 2023, replacing Jay Shah.
Challenges & Future Outlook
Sri Lanka Cricket has long been seen as a powerful and influential body, with internal politics often shaping its leadership. With financial mismanagement concerns highlighted in the Auditor General’s report, Silva’s administration faces the challenge of restoring credibility and ensuring better governance.
With the ICC ban lifted, Sri Lanka looks to rebuild its cricketing structure and improve performance on the international stage. The focus now shifts to upcoming bilateral series, the Asia Cup, and preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka Cricket and the latest in the world of sports!
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has defended MS Dhoni’s late entry in the batting order, stating that the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman cannot play an extended innings at full intensity due to lingering knee concerns.
The 43-year-old Dhoni faced criticism after coming in at No. 9 during CSK’s 50-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk. In the next match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, 2025, he batted at No. 7 when CSK required 54 off 25 balls but managed just 16 off 11 as his team fell short by six runs.
Fleming’s Explanation on Dhoni’s Role
Fleming emphasized that Dhoni carefully assesses the match situation before deciding when to bat.
“It’s all about timing. MS judges his body and situation. His knees aren’t what they used to be, so he can’t bat for 10 overs at full intensity. He will step in based on the game’s demands,” Fleming explained at the post-match press conference.
The CSK coach reiterated that Dhoni remains too valuable to the team for his leadership and wicketkeeping and that sending him in too early could be a strategic misstep.
“From around the 13th or 14th over, he assesses the situation and decides. He trusts other batters early on but steps up when needed.”
CSK’s Struggles in the Powerplay Cost Them the Match
Fleming also pinpointed CSK’s poor powerplay performance as a key reason for their loss against Rajasthan Royals. While RR blasted 79/1 in the powerplay, CSK only managed 42/1,
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.
Shammi Silva Re-Elected as Sri Lanka Cricket President for Fourth Consecutive Term
Stephen Fleming Defends MS Dhoni’s Batting Position Amid Criticism
Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry
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