Sports
Sri Lanka through to Super Sixes
Sri Lanka are through to the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers after a comprehensive win over Ireland in Bulawayo yesterday. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga starred with a five-wicket haul after Dimuth Karunaratne posted his maiden century in ODIs as Sri Lanka won by 133 runs.
Karunaratne, who has been recalled to the ODI outfit has been in terrific form having posted three consecutive half-centuries leading up to yesterday’s game and he went onto score his maiden ODI hundred yesterday.
Ireland’s Barry McCarthy had threatened to run through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up after he took two wickets in two balls, but Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama added 168 runs for the third wicket to help Sri Lanka post more than 300 runs.
Charith Asalanka with 38 and Dhananjaya de Silva with 42 made some vital contributions but nothing much from the lower middle order as they were bowled out inside 50 overs.
However, a target of 326 proved beyond Ireland’s reach. The Irish were under pressure coming into the game as they had suffered shock defeats at the hands of Scotland and Oman. Defeat to Sri Lanka yesterday meant that they will not progress to the next round of the tournament and their hopes of reaching this year’s World Cup in India has been smashed.
Sri Lanka meanwhile are through to the second round, but the former champions will be keen to pick up a win in their last group game against Scotland as points against all teams that qualify for the next stage will be carried forward.
After the quicks Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara picked up a wicket each in the first seven overs, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga ran through the Irish batting to finish with figures of five for 79.
That was Hasaranga’s third five wicket haul and he equaled Waqar Younis’ record of three consecutive five fors in ODIs. Maheesh Theekshana finished with two wickets as Sri Lanka shot out Ireland for 192 in 31 overs.
It was a disappointing batting display by the Irish whom many had expected to go through for the second round. But this was a campaign where they had very little going right for them.Zimbabwe, Netherlands and West Indies have already qualified for the Super Sixes from the next group.
The 104th National Athletics Championship got off to an impressive start at the Diyagama Stadium, with Rasara Wijesuriya and Arunthavarasa Puvitharan producing record-breaking performances on an action-packed opening day.
Rasara dominated the women’s 10,000m to win the gold medal in 33:32.77 seconds, setting a new meet record in the process. G. W. O. N. Fonseka finished second in 38:25.55, while H. I. S. Fernando took the bronze in 39:00.69.
Puvitharan provided another record-breaking highlight in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.10m to establish a new meet record. H. S. Eranga Janith followed with 5.00m for silver, while M. H. I. Sandaruwan secured bronze with 4.90m.
The men’s 10,000m produced a closely contested battle, with M. Kobinathan claiming the national title in 30:58.50. M. S. A. Fernando was second in 31:10.08, while D. P. S. S. Senanayaka completed the podium in 31:22.72.
As expected Madushani Herath secured the women’s triple jump title with a best effort of 13.60m, finishing ahead of I. S. W. Arachchi, who recorded 13.13m. G. I. S. Lankathilaka took third with 13.00m.
In the men’s shot put, Suseenthirakumar Mithunraj produced a winning throw of 16.41m to take gold. W. J. R. Alwis was second with 14.91m, while R. S. Jayawardana secured bronze with 14.47m.
Ovini Chandrasekara completed the women’s shot put podium-topping performance, winning gold with a throw of 12.82m. V. D. V. Gimhani took silver with 12.29m and A. D. W. Mendis won bronze with 11.84m.
With two new meet records already providing the opening-day highlights in thr morning, the championship has begun on a high note, setting the stage for further strong performances as Sri Lanka’s leading athletes battle for national honours.
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.
Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.
Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.
Asalanka returned to the leadership group three months after being deposed as ODI captain and six months after being sidelined from the T20I unit. He last played a T20I in February this year, but is currently part of St Lucia Kings’ line-up at CPL 2026. His returns have been mediocre, though: 93 runs at a strike rate of 124 from six innings.
The T20Is will be played on September 15 (Southampton), September 17 (Cardiff) and September 19 (Manchester), while the ODIs will take place on September 22 (Chester-le-Street), September 24 (Leeds) and September 27 (The Oval).
Sri Lanka T20I squad for the tour of England
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka
(Cricinfo)
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England, with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.
Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.
Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.
(Cricinfo)
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts after 2.00 p.m
Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year
PM Harini, Bhutan King explore closer ties
Johnston granted bail following CIABOC arrest
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features6 days ago“Wrap Me Up in My Blazer”— A Gentlemanly Bradby Reminiscence
-
Features5 days agoWhen Sri Lankan stories find their own voice
-
Features6 days agoJVP/NPP government as seen from outside by Lionel Bopage now domiciled in Australia
-
News5 days agoBASL takes exception to Justice Ganepola being denied a place in SC
-
Features6 days agoProf. Savitri Goonesekere: What has she done?
-
News2 days agoDenied of promotion to SC despite vacancies, justice Gurusinghe retires
-
Latest News3 days agoGrade 5 scholarship exam results released
-
Features6 days agoWorld Trade Politics: Canada rebuffs Trump’s tariff blackmail