Cricket
Sri Lanka U19 Women Secure Dominant Win Over Malaysia in ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – January 14, 2025
Sri Lanka’s U19 Women’s team made a resounding start to their ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding 139-run victory over hosts Malaysia at Bayuemas Oval on Sunday.
The match marked a historic moment for Malaysia as they made their debut in the tournament. However, Sri Lanka showcased their superiority in all departments to secure an emphatic win.
Sri Lanka’s Power-Packed Batting Performance
Having been put into bat, Sri Lanka’s top order delivered an explosive performance. Dahami Sanethma led the charge with a brilliant 55 off 38 balls, becoming the first player to register a half-century in the tournament. Sajana Kavindi set the tone early, smashing 30 runs off just 13 balls, including six boundaries.
Sri Lanka’s innings saw strong contributions from Sumudu Nisansala and Hiruni Kumari, who built crucial partnerships to set up a formidable total of 162/6 in 20 overs.
Chamudi Praboda’s Bowling Masterclass
Malaysia’s response was met with a relentless Sri Lankan bowling attack, led by Chamudi Praboda, who delivered a match-winning spell of 3 wickets for just 5 runs, including two maidens. Limansa Thilakaratne also played a key role, picking up 2 wickets for 3 runs.
Malaysia’s Nur Aliya managed to score 7 runs, becoming the first-ever Malaysian batter to register a run in the U19 World Cup. However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and Malaysia was eventually bowled out for just 23 runs in 14 overs.
Historic Win Sets the Tone for Sri Lanka
With this dominant performance, Sri Lanka has sent a strong message to the rest of the teams in the tournament. Their all-round display of aggressive batting, sharp fielding, and disciplined bowling positions them as strong contenders moving forward.
Match Summary:
Sri Lanka vs Malaysia – Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur
Sri Lanka: 162/6 in 20 overs (Dahami Sanethma 55, Sajana Kavindi 30; Siti Nazwah 2/31, Nur Isma Dania 1/23)
Malaysia: 23 all out in 14 overs (Nur Aliya 7, Suabika Manivannan 6; Chamudi Praboda 3/5, Limansa Thilakaratne 2/3)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 139 runs
What’s Next?
Sri Lanka will now look to build on this winning momentum in their upcoming matches as they aim for a deep run in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025.
Stay tuned for more updates and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV!
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
Cricket
Harbhajan Singh Criticizes Jayawardene and Malinga for Over-Involvement in MI Dugout During IPL Qualifier
In a surprising turn of events during IPL 2025 Qualifier 2, cricket legend and former Mumbai Indians player Harbhajan Singh has voiced concern over what he termed “excessive involvement” by Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga during Mumbai Indians’ defeat against Punjab Kings.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after MI’s seven-wicket loss at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Harbhajan took issue with the coaching staff’s frequent instructions from the dugout — especially during tense moments when MI bowlers were under pressure.
Too many signals, too much talking — even with someone like Jasprit Bumrah, who knows exactly what he’s doing,” Harbhajan remarked. “At times, you need a calm and collected environment, especially during high-pressure games. Coaches should guide, not command every move from the sidelines.
Punjab Kings chased down a formidable target of 204, with captain Shreyas Iyer anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 87 to secure a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite Mumbai posting a solid total, their bowlers failed to contain the opposition — a point that Harbhajan feels may have been worsened by the atmosphere in the MI dugout.
Jayawardene, MI’s Head of Global Performance, and Malinga, the bowling coach, were both seen actively engaging with players during the game, a move Harbhajan believes may have unintentionally undermined the confidence of seasoned campaigners like Bumrah.
I’ve been part of that setup. The coaching staff means well, but showing visible desperation can impact player morale,
Harbhajan added.
With this loss, Mumbai Indians miss out on a shot at their sixth IPL title, while discussions surrounding the balance between guidance and over-coaching during matches are sure to continue
Cricket
Kusal Mendis Falls Short in High-Stakes IPL Eliminator Clash
Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis failed to rise to the occasion during a crucial IPL 2025 Eliminator as Gujarat Titans fell short in their chase against Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Chasing a steep target of 229, Gujarat Titans needed early momentum. While opener Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a composed 80 off 49 deliveries, Kusal Mendis—expected to play a key supporting role—could not live up to expectations on this competitive stage.
Mendis, who had the platform to make an impact, started aggressively with two sixes in his 10-ball 20 but threw away his wicket in an uncharacteristic manner—getting out hit wicket to Mitchell Santner. In a high-pressure match where composure was vital, Mendis’s dismissal was a major setback for GT, stalling their momentum during a promising phase of the innings.
This was an opportunity for Mendis to demonstrate consistency and reliability at the highest level of franchise cricket, especially with the eyes of selectors and fans fixed on performances under pressure. However, the lack of game awareness and a reckless approach led to a soft exit at a crucial moment.
GT eventually managed 208/6, falling short by 20 runs. With Mendis’s early exit, the middle order was left exposed to the mounting run rate, and despite brief resistance from Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia, the chase fizzled out.
While Mendis has shown flashes of brilliance in previous matches, this performance serves as a reminder of the demands of knockout-stage cricket. With playoffs being the toughest test of mental and technical strength, Sri Lanka’s white-ball star must tighten his game to deliver when it matters most.
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