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Sri Lanka edge Bangladesh in thriller

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Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh (First T20I)

Sri Lanka clinched a thrilling victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of the Twenty20 series on Monday, triumphing by a margin of three runs. The credit goes to Dasun Shanaka’s remarkable display in the final over, complemented by the impressive fifties from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama earlier in the innings.

Sri Lanka set a commendable total of 206-3, with Sadeera Samarawickrama’s unbeaten 61 off 48 balls and Kusal Mendis’ 36-ball 59 leading the charge. Stand-in captain Charith Asalanka also played a crucial role, smashing a 21-ball 44 not out with six sixes to propel the team past the 200-run mark. Despite debutant Jaker Ali’s valiant effort for Bangladesh, scoring 68 runs, he fell in the tense last over with 10 runs needed and three balls remaining. Ultimately, Bangladesh fell short at 203-8, leaving Sri Lanka victorious.

During the chase Angelo Mathews gabe the perfect start when he took two wickets to put Bangladesh in a precarious position at 30-3 in the fifth over.

Their situation worsened when captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had scored 20 off 22, was dismissed by fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, leaving them at 68-4.

However when the chips were down, veteran Mahmudullah, who was playing his first T20 in two years, launched a counterattack to revive Bangladesh’s chances. He partnered with Jaker to add 47 runs for the fifth wicket. With things looking good for Bangladesh, Maheesh Theekshana delivered with a breakthrough to dismiss Mahmudullah after he had scored 54 off 31, including two fours and four sixes.

With Bangladesh hopes almost done and dusted thier debutant Jaker step up to occasion who initially struggled, then took charge and played a crucial role in leading the team towards victory.

With four fours and six sixes, he brought Bangladesh to the brink of success, but ultimately, Shanaka’s brilliance denied them the win.

The second match of the three-match series is scheduled for Wednesday.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 206/3 (Sadeera Samarawickrama 61, Kusal Mendis 59, Charith Asalanka 44; Rishad 1-32) beat Bangladesh 203/8 (Jaker Ali 68, Mahmudullah 54; Angelo Mathews 2-17) by 3 runs.

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Sri Lanka Rugby Appoints Thierry Janeczek as Head Coach

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Sri Lanka Rugby has confirmed the appointment of former France international and seasoned rugby sevens coach Thierry Janeczek on a six-month contract to lead the national sevens team in preparation for the Asian Games in Aichi, Nagoya later this year.

Janeczek, who arrives in Colombo on March 20, will observe the two legs of the BogoLiv Union Pay International SLR Sevens Series before returning in April to formally begin his coaching programme. His initial contract runs for six months, with the possibility of extension based on the team’s performance at the Asian Games.

At 66, Janeczek brings decades of experience to the role. A former flanker with three caps for France, he made his mark in the sevens format, representing his country at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993. He later coached the French national sevens team from 1996 to 2010, guiding them through more than 100 international tournaments and securing notable victories, including France’s first-ever international final win at the Paris Sevens in 2005.
His coaching résumé includes developing over 50 international players, training more than 100 certified coaches, and achieving Olympic success by leading France’s U18 team to gold at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

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Inquiry Launched Over Bloomfield’s Controversial Declaration

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Sri Lanka Cricket has moved swiftly to launch an inquiry into Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club’s declaration during their Major Super Eight encounter against Moors Sports Club at Colts Grounds. The decision, which has been branded “unsporty” by critics, saw Bloomfield declare at 239 for 6 despite trailing on first innings, leaving Moors a modest chase of 147 runs. Moors completed the task comfortably, winning by four wickets in just 33 overs and reclaiming their place at the top of the table.

The declaration has raised serious questions about the spirit of competition, prompting SLC to summon captains, coaches, managers, and players from both sides for an official hearing this evening. At the heart of the probe lies a crucial issue: was Bloomfield’s move a bold tactical gamble or a breach of cricketing integrity?

With domestic cricket’s credibility now under the spotlight, the outcome of this inquiry could have significant consequences for the game in Sri Lanka, setting a precedent for how declarations and match strategies are judged in the future.

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Royal–Thomian One-Day Clash Moved from Night to Day to Counter Fuel Crisis

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The Organizing Committee of the 49th Mustangs Trophy, the prestigious Royal‑Thomian One‑Day Cricket Encounter, has announced a significant change to this year’s fixture. The match, scheduled for 28th March 2026, will now be played as a day event instead of the originally planned day‑night format.

This decision comes in response to the ongoing global fuel crisis, with organizers emphasizing the importance of reducing energy consumption and standing in solidarity with the wider public. By shifting to a daytime schedule, the committee aims to minimize the additional fuel demands typically associated with floodlit matches, reflecting a strong commitment to social responsibility and national interest.

Guidance for this move was provided by the Heads of Royal College and S. Thomas’ College, and the change has been formally endorsed by the 147th Royal‑Thomian Joint Match Organising Committee. Both schools’ Old Boy fraternities, along with sponsors, have expressed full support for the adjustment, underscoring the unity and shared responsibility that define this historic encounter.

The Joint Committee reaffirmed that while the format has changed, the essence of the Mustangs Trophy remains untouched.

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