Sports
Allen, Milne fashion New Zealand’s 2-0 lead
New Zealand romped to a 2-0 series lead against Pakistan with a convincing 21-run win over New Zealand at Seddon Park. The victory was fashioned by a blazing 41-ball 74 from Finn Allen. Although Pakistan did well to bounce back and keep their hosts to a sub-200 score and threatened to chase it down through an 87-run stand between Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, a four-fer from Adam Milne helped seal the deal for the Black Caps.
Seddon Park rolled out beautiful batting conditions and that was good enough for an unchanged Pakistan side to have a target to chase. It became evident early that it was going to be a big number as the first three overs produced 30 runs. Allen was the aggressor in chief, picking Haris Rauf off for a four and six in his first over before launching Shaheen Afridi over deep mid-wicket for another six. Rauf’s second over brought further pain as Allen and Devon Conway plundered 18 more runs.
Eventually the 59-run opening stand was ended with the first ball of the sixth over when Aamer Jamal had Conway miscuing a pickup shot. By that time, though, Allen had 36 off 16 with three fours and an equal number of sixes.
The New Zealand captain was an ideal follow-up act, shimmying out of his crease to drill the fourth ball he faced to the cover boundary. Williamson took a liking to Aamer Jamal, hitting him for two fours and a six and his 50-run stand (off just 29 balls) with Allen took New Zealand to 111/1 after 10 overs. It was in that 10th over, however, that the Black Caps skipper experienced tightness in his right hamstring while completing a run and upon receiving some treatment on the field, he trudged off the field, retiring hurt after a 15-ball 26.
Williamson has already been rested for the next T20I with a view to managing his fitness following a string of recent injuries. It remains to be seen if he returns for the final two games of the series.
After conceding 111 in the first half of the innings, Pakistan conceded only 83 runs in the second half. This despite Allen building on from a 24-ball 50 to finish with 74 off 41 deliveries. Pakistan were excellent in keeping batters at the other end quiet. Legspinner Usama Mir triggered the mini-collapse by bowling Allen off a googly before Abbas Afridi had Daryl Mitchell chop one onto his stumps in the following over.
Even as the returning Mitchell Santner ransacked 14 off an Aamer Jamal over, Rauf produced an excellent 19th over, giving away just five runs and taking three wickets. A seven-run final over meant New Zealand fell short of the 200-mark they were expected to easily breach.
Mohammad Rizwan hit a six off the first ball he faced but Pakistan were two down inside nine balls of the chase. Saim Ayub tried to take on the longer boundary and perished in his attempts while the excellent Milne found great shape on an outswinger to entice Rizwan into chasing and edging to the ‘keeper. Pakistan averted more trouble as Fakhar Zaman was put down on zero in that same Milne over with Ben Sears dropping a regulation take at short fine-leg.
Babar got off a typical Babar start, driving boundaries on the up and racing away to 28 off 15. At the other end, Zaman made most of the reprieve he was handed and tore into the bowling not too dissimilar to how he took down the New Zealand attack in the recent ODI World Cup clash between these sides. After taking Pakistan to a 61-run powerplay, Zaman used his matchup advantage against legspinner Ish Sodhi to devastating effect, slamming a pair of sixes to speed away to a 25-ball half-century.
The decision to bowl Milne for a third over in the first half of the innings worked wonders for stand-in skipper Tim Southee as the speedster had Zaman drag a delivery onto the stumps. It allowed Sodhi to continue and bowl out his quota and he dismissed both Azam Khan and Aamer Jamal as Pakistan slipped to 127/6.
Babar Azam completed a second half-century on the bounce, off 36 balls, but he was quickly running out of partners. He kept the visitors in the fray with a couple of sixes, one each of Santner and Southee. But Pakistan’s fate was sealed when their former captain fell to Ben Sears off the first ball of the 18th over and they eventually fell short by 21 runs with Milne finishing with 4 for 33.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 194/8 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 74, Kane Williamson 26; Haris Rauf 3-38) beat Pakistan 173 in 19.3 overs (Babar Azam 66, Fakhar Zaman 50; Adam Milne 4-33) by 21 runs
A monumental innings by Dulnith Sigera who put on a commanding opening stand with Sineth Veerarathne highlighted proceedings as Mahanama College posted 387 for nine declared and secured major honours in their annual Big Match against arch rivals DS Senanayake College at the SSC Ground on Sunday.
Resuming after DS Senanayake had posted 344 in their first innings, Mahanama built their reply around a superb 192-run opening partnership between Sigera and Veerarathne, laying a solid foundation for a dominant batting display.
Sigera emerged the chief architect of the innings with a magnificent 189, anchoring the batting for more than 70 overs in an innings that combined patience with aggression. Facing 209 deliveries, he struck ten fours and nine sixes in an entertaining knock before being run out, narrowly missing out on a double century.
At the other end, Veerarathne provided ideal support with a valuable 91, facing 135 balls and hitting seven boundaries and a six as the pair frustrated the DS bowling attack with the opening stand.
Mahanama continued to capitalise on the strong platform even after the opening breakthrough, with useful contributions from Chamika Heenatigala (30) and Sanul Weerarathne (28), enabling them to declare on 387 for nine in 87.4 overs and gain the upper hand in the traditional encounter.
For DS Senanayake, Oshadha Perera claimed three wickets for 63 runs, while Randisha Bandaranayake and Haamid Afdhal picked up two wickets apiece.
The drawn encounter was notable for three outstanding batting feats and an impressive six-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Chamika Heenatigala.
If seasoned campaigner Sigera stole the limelight for Mahanama on the final day, it was 14-year-old Miyuru Bandara who captured attention on day one with a composed century that helped DS Senanayake compile 344 in their first innings.
The young opener displayed maturity beyond his years, scoring a patient 100, while Randisha Bandaranayake (48) and Chanul Athale (47) made important contributions lower down the order.
Heenatigala was the standout bowler for Mahanama, bowling tirelessly to finish with impressive figures of six wickets for 100 runs in 41 overs.
In their second essay DS Senanayake reached 54 for one before the match ended in a draw, with Shevan Welgama unbeaten on 25 and Sithru Gunarathna not out on 14.
Championing youth potential and performance at the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final
Hayleys Mobility proudly served as the Official Automobile Partner for the President’s Trophy Inter-School Knockout Final, organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association.
The thrilling encounter between Royal College, Colombo and Trinity College, Kandy, held at Sugathadasa Stadium, brought together some of Sri Lanka’s brightest young athletes in a remarkable display of skill, determination and sportsmanship during which Trinity College emerged victorious following an outstanding performance.
This partnership reflects Hayleys Mobility’s strategic focus on nurturing youth development at every stage, from grassroots participation to national-level competition. Through its support of schools rugby, the company contributes to instilling core values such as resilience, teamwork and ambition.
Commenting on the initiative, Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility Limited, stated:
”Sponsoring schools rugby is an important way for us to invest in the potential of Sri Lanka’s youth. From their first match to performing on a national stage, these athletes are on a journey of growth, determination, and achievement. Providing them with opportunities to excel is as important to us, and we are proud to energise them to perform at their best.”
Adding further perspective, Hasith Prematillake, Managing Director of Hayleys Fentons Limited, stated:
”Rugby is a game defined by intensity, strength, and forward momentum—qualities that reflect a mindset of progress and performance. As a brand, we are inspired by this same spirit: a drive to move with confidence, embrace challenges, and push boundaries. Supporting schools rugby allows us to stand alongside the next generation as they channel their energy and passion into excellence, both on and off the field.”
Rajieve Fernando, Chief Executive Officer of Hayleys Mobility, added:
”At Hayleys Mobility, we believe in empowering journeys, whether on the road or on the field. Supporting school rugby reflects our commitment to enabling the next generation to move forward with confidence, discipline and ambition.”
Roshani Dharmaratne, Executive Director of Hayleys Mobility greeting the finalists
Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Northern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Death of infant at Trinco District General Hospital: Suspended docs were at private hospital performing operation: Govt.
Moves to strengthen environmental law after 24 years
US-supported GeoAI Exhibition on disaster resilience opens on 14 May
About 84% percent of Lankans willing to donate eyes
Special prison helps prevent jailed criminals from running crime syndicates
‘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
-
News5 days agoMIT expert warns of catastrophic consequences of USD 2.5 mn Treasury heist
-
News2 days agoLanka Port City officials to meet investors in Dubai
-
Editorial5 days agoClean Sri Lanka and dirty politics
-
Editorial4 days agoThe Vijay factor
-
News3 days agoSLPP expresses concern over death of former SriLankan CEO
-
News6 days agoDevelopment Officer bids Rs. 48 mn for CPC’s V8 at auction
-
News3 days agoPolice inform Fort Magistrate’s Court of finding ex-CEO of SriLankan dead under suspicious circumstances
-
Opinion6 days agoPostmortem reports and the pursuit of justice