News
Vajira’s ton guides Lanka Cavaliers to clinch Coconut Miracle Trophy
M.H.Yakeem
A sparkling knock by Vajira Wijegunawardena stroking a star-studded 122 runs not out in 92 balls including 8 fours and 7 sixes helped Lanka Cavaliers beat Legends of Richmond by a comfortable 103 runs in a Masters 30 overs league Cricket encounter, played for the Coconut Miracle Trophy at the Bloomfield ground, Reid Avenue, Colombo- 07 on Saturday.
Lanka Cavaliers led by Nalliah Devarajan taking first lease of the wicket, openers Punyakantha Abeygunasekera and Vajira Wijegunawardena were associated in a grand opening stand of 40 runs, with the dismissal of Punyakantha Abeygunasekera and the second wicket falling at 72 runs, Captain Nalliah Devarajan and Vajira Wijegunawardena, the pair together steadied the innings with a valuable 64 runs partnership. With the dismissal of Nalliah Devarajan at 136 runs and 4 more wickets falling at regular intervals, Lanka Cavaliers at this stage were 7 wickets down for 184 runs. Vajira Wijegunawardena, the opening batter at the crease along with Thusitha Karunaratne, the pair took them to a commanding position at the end of the 30th over. Prasanna Ramanayake, Asoka Sirimanne, and Thushan Jayawardena capturing 2 wickets apiece and Nishantha Mendis capturing a wicket were the pick of the bowlers for Legends of Richmond.
Legends of Richmond led by Thushan Jayawardena in reply, lost an early wicket at 2 runs on board. Wickets falling at regular intervals, Legends of Richmond at one stage were reeling at 7 wickets down for 53 runs with Dilshan Amarasinghe and Prasanna Ramanayake entering double figures. Useful contributions from batters P.A. Gunawardena on 19 not out and Upul Yatawara on 10 not out, Legends of Richmond could only manage to reach 93 runs at their 30th over. A fine spell by Ravi Subasinghe, capturing 3 early vital wickets and well supported by Renuka Nonis, Krishan Dharmasena, and Niranjan Dabare capturing a wicket apiece guided Lanka Cavaliers to clinch the Coconut Miracle Trophy by a comfortable 103 runs.
Scores
Lanka Cavaliers – 193/7 in 30 overs
Punyakantha Abeygunasekera 12, Nalliah Devarajan 17, Vajira Wijegunawardena 122 not out, Prasanna Ramanayake 2/22, Asoka Sirimanne 2/39, Thushan Jayawardena 2/25, Nishantha Mendis 1/31
Legends of Richmond – 90/7 in 30 overs
Dilshan Amarasinghe 13, Prasanna Ramanayake 13, P.A. Gunawardena 19 not out, Upul Yatawara 10 not out, Ravi Subasinghe 3/13, Renuka Nonis 1/21, Niranjan Dabare 1/9, Krishan Dharmasena 1/15
Caption
Captain of the Lanka Cavaliers Cricket team, Nalliah Devarajan received the Coconut Miracle Trophy from the Founder and CEO of Coconut Miracle ( Pvt ) Ltd., Shanthini Ahangama, and Deepal Ahangama.

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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