News
Sri Lanka too good for Bangladesh
Sri Lanka tour of Bangladesh 2024 (Second Test)
Sri Lanka secured a dominant win over Bangladesh in the second Test match, claiming a convincing 192-run victory to complete the series sweep 2-0 in Chittagong on Wednesday.
Lahiru Kumara, the fast bowler, was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, taking 4-50 and dismissing the final batsman, Khaled Ahmed, to secure the win for his team before lunch on the fifth day.
Bangladesh, facing a challenging target of 511 runs in their second innings, struggled and could only add 50 runs to their overnight score of 268-7.
Despite Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s brave effort with an unbeaten 81, Bangladesh fell to Sri Lanka’s strong bowling attack. Mehidy reached his fifty off 68 balls with some aggressive strokes, but the dismissal of Taijul Islam for 14 further diminished Bangladesh’s chances of a comeback.
Kamindu Mendis, who excelled with the bat in the first innings with an unbeaten 92, was named the Man of the Match for his all-round performance and also received the Player of the Series award for his centuries in both innings of the first Test.
The Sri Lankan fast bowlers were in complete control throughout the proceedings, taking a staggering 33 out of the 40 wickets that fell for Bangladesh. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering the traditionally spin-friendly pitches in Bangladesh.
Earlier In the second innings, Angelo Mathews (56) emerged as the highest scorer, while his partnership of 43 runs with Prabath Jayasuriya provided some respite to the team.
However, due to the substantial lead of 353 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka never faced any significant pressure. Eventually, they declared at 157-7, leaving Bangladesh with a colossal target of 511 runs.
Although the hosts displayed a stronger resistance in the fourth innings, several batsmen failed to capitalize on their starts, resulting in wasted opportunities.
Reflecting on the victory of Sri Lanka, captain Dhananjaya de Silva commended the collective effort of his team. He mentioned that the bowlers executed their basics effectively on this pitch, while the batters also fulfilled their responsibilities.
“The bowlers did their basics on this wicket and the batters did their job as well. The batters were a bit disappointed about not getting runs in the first Test, but we have experienced players. I was confident they would get runs. There wasn’t a lot of spin on offer. So I thought about reverse swing as a way to get wickets. The pacers were really on the spot.”
Meanwhile Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto conveyed his dissatisfaction with his team’s batting displays and stressed the importance of self-reflection.
“Our batting performances have been lacking in converting good starts into substantial scores. This is a matter that requires careful consideration. It is crucial that when a player gets settled, they capitalize on it by scoring big. Engaging in more first-class cricket is essential for our improvement,” he remarked.
This was Sri Lanka’s last international series ahead of the T20I world cup 2024 in June.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 531 and 157-7 decl. (Angelo Mathews 56; Hasan Mahmud 4-65) beat Bangladesh178 and 318 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz 81, Mominul Haque 50; Lahiru Kumara 4-50) by 192 runs
Cricket
KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout
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
Football
Asia Leads the Charge as 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Begin to Take Shape
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.
Cricket
Sachithra Senanayake Indicted in Landmark Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Law
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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