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West Indies Women’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024

West Indies Women’s team showcased an exceptional performance in the second T20I against Sri Lanka, leading them to a well-deserved 6-wicket victory. This victory helped them level the series 1-1, after facing a clean sweep in the ODI series and losing the first T20I. The match, which took place at Hambanthota International Cricket stadium, was affected by rain but that didn’t hinder the West Indies’ dominance.

Sri Lanka, batting first, managed to post a score of 89-4 before rain interrupted the game in the 15th over. In response, the West Indies successfully chased down the revised target of 99 runs in 15 overs with 5 balls to spare.

The hosts had a promising start with a 44-run opening partnership between their captain, Chamari Athapattu, and Vishmi Gunaratne. However, Athapattu’s dismissal by Afy Fletcher’s exceptional delivery turned the tide in favor of the West Indies. Sri Lanka struggled to maintain a good scoring rate and faced difficulties in making clean contact with the ball.

To add to their woes, Sri Lanka lost their second wicket when Imesha Dulani was bowled by Afy Fletcher once again. This put them in a precarious position with a score of 2-52 in 10 overs. Despite their efforts to accelerate the scoring, Sri Lanka faced another setback when Harshitha Samarawickrama was caught at mid-on in the 13th over. Shortly after, Vishmi Gunaratne was caught LBW, further weakening their position.

However, Kavisha Dilhari’s counter-attack in the death overs provided some momentum for Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, rain interrupted play at a score of 89-4 in 15.2 overs, and Sri Lanka’s innings couldn’t be resumed. As a result, the West Indies were given a revised target of 99 runs, which they successfully achieved.

During the pursuit, Taylor and captain Hayley Matthews got the visiting team off to a great start, scoring 44 runs in 6.5 overs. This ensured that West Indies maintained a lead over the DLS-par score. After Matthews was dismissed by a Sachini Nisansala arm ball, Taylor took on the responsibility of leading the chase. In a partnership with Shemaine Campbelle, Taylor played a supporting role by giving strike to her more aggressive partner, who scored 16 runs off 13 balls. Despite the subsequent dismissals of Campbelle, Qiana Joseph, and Chedean Nation, West Indies maintained a positive approach and the required run rate was always manageable. Aaliyah Alleyne then sealed the victory for West Indies with three boundaries off Kavisha Dilhari in the second-to-last over of the innings.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 89-4 (Chamari Athapaththu 26, Vishmi Gunaratne 24, Afy Fletcher 4-23)

West Indies 99-4 (Hayely Matthews 29, Stafanie Taylor 28*, Chamari Athapaththu 1-18, Sachini Nisansala 1-18)

Football

Sri Lankan Football in Crisis: Corruption, Mismanagement, and a Forgotten Future

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Sri Lankan football is facing an unprecedented crisis, with corruption, financial mismanagement, and neglect threatening to erase any hope for the sport’s future. Despite repeated warnings, investigations, and calls for reform, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) under its current leadership has continued to operate with impunity, ignoring the development of local players while prioritizing foreign-born recruits.

Audit Findings Ignored – Where is the Accountability?

The Ministry of Sports’ audit report uncovered multiple financial discrepancies within FFSL, yet no action has been taken to rectify them. The Finance Committee raised critical concerns, including:

  1. Unpaid Media Rights Payment of USD 10,000
    • A missing payment for SAFF Sri Lanka match media rights, with public service media confirming they never received the funds.
    • The Finance Committee instructed immediate resolution, yet no updates have been provided.
  2. Unresolved Zolo Football Purchase
    • FFSL paid LKR 12,775,000 for Zolo footballs from Ceylon Professional Sports Management (CPSM) without a financial guarantee, violating tender procedures.
    • The Finance Committee recommended either securing the footballs or recovering the funds, with escalation to the CID if unresolved. No progress has been reported.
  3. Unpaid Sponsorship Payment of USD 30,000
    • Sponsorship funds from Public Service Media (PSM) for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy remain unaccounted for.
    • Despite instructions to resolve the matter, FFSL has failed to provide any updates.

FFSL’s Downward Spiral – A Lost Generation of Footballers

While Sri Lanka’s football governance remains plagued by corruption, the country’s domestic football structure has completely collapsed. There have been no domestic tournaments since 2022, depriving young players of a pathway to professional football. Despite over 42,000 active school-level players across 600 schools, FFSL has failed to support grassroots development, instead using school tournaments for branding while parents bear the costs.

Rather than investing in homegrown talent, the FFSL has prioritized recruiting foreign-based players to represent Sri Lanka’s national team. The current squad is unrecognizable, with only captain Sujan Perera representing local talent. Critics argue that these foreign recruits, most of whom play in third or fourth-tier leagues abroad, are using Sri Lankan representation to boost their own careers while the nation’s domestic football stagnates.

Sri Lanka’s Footballing Reputation in Tatters

The state of Sri Lankan football reached an embarrassing low during the AFC Cup qualifiers when head coach Abdullah Almutairi received a red card—a rare and humiliating moment in international football. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s FIFA ranking has plummeted from 124th to 200th out of 207, driven by alleged embezzlement of FIFA and AFC funds under successive FFSL presidents.

Unlike successful footballing nations, which integrate foreign-origin players into domestic leagues before calling them up to the national team, Sri Lanka’s approach has been reckless and damaging. The lack of Pro License coaches for the past 30 years has further exacerbated the decline, leaving Sri Lanka lagging behind regional peers like India and the Maldives.

FFSL’s Financial Mismanagement & Political Interference

  • FFSL has failed to present audited accounts since 2022, with officials suppressing the ministry’s audit report to avoid scrutiny.
  • Stolen equipment, including Adidas footballs, bags, and boots, has been traced to top FFSL officials, including former national captains and the finance manager. CCTV footage reportedly supports these claims.
  • Despite widespread allegations, successive sports ministers have turned a blind eye, allowing FFSL officials to manipulate narratives and maintain their grip on power.
  • The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2023-2024 has been postponed until March 2025—deliberately delaying accountability measures.

Will the Government Finally Take Action?

The newly elected government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. Yet, despite the Ministry of Sports uncovering serious financial mismanagement, no action has been taken to hold FFSL accountable.

The time for promises has long passed. If Sri Lanka is to salvage its footballing future, immediate intervention is needed from the government, FIFA, and relevant stakeholders. Failure to act now will not only doom the sport but also betray the thousands of young Sri Lankan footballers who still dream of wearing the national jersey.

The question remains: Will the government finally clean up the mess in Sri Lankan football, or will corruption continue to suffocate the game?

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Football

Sri Lanka Faces Thailand in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers – Live

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Sri Lanka is set to take on Thailand in a crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier today. With history favoring Thailand in past encounters, the Sri Lankan squad will look to turn the tide and secure a positive result.

Sri Lanka has struggled in previous meetings, losing all five of their last encounters against Thailand, including a 2-0 defeat in their most recent clash in 2022. However, with a revamped squad and fresh motivation, they aim to challenge their higher-ranked opponents.

Thailand, known for its structured play and attacking prowess, will be looking to continue its dominance. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, still in the rebuilding phase, will need a strong defensive display and tactical discipline to stand a chance.

Can Sri Lanka pull off an upset and make a statement on the continental stage? Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis.

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Cricket

Bangladesh Cricket Star Shakib Faces Legal Trouble Amid Political Turmoil

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Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, a key figure in global cricket, is facing legal issues back home. A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of his assets as he battles fraud charges over bounced cheques worth $300,000.

Shakib, who was in Canada playing T20 cricket when Sheikh Hasina’s government was overthrown, has not returned to Bangladesh since. While he has not been charged for alleged ties to a violent crackdown, his links to the former regime make him a target of public anger.

Having played 71 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20Is, with 712 wickets to his name, Shakib remains a giant in cricket. However, his future—both on and off the field—hangs in the balance.

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