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Nissanka and Avishka blitz Afghanistan in Sri Lanka’s clean sweep
Sri Lanka made light work of a potentially tricky target of 267, running it down in just 35.2 overs as they completed a dominant seven-wicket win in the third and final ODI in Pallekele, and with it secured a 3-0 whitewash of the series.
Pathum Nissanka recorded his second century in three games to become the highest run-scorer in a three-match series for Sri Lanka with 346 runs. Here he racked up a 101-ball 118, and in the process became the fastest Sri Lankan to 2000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in 53 games – 11 games quicker than next fastest Upul Tharanga.
But for much of his innings, Nissanka was content to play the supporting role as Avishka Fernando broke the spine of the chase during a belligerent 66-ball 91. Having offered up his customary early chance – an inside edge on 10 that Ikram Alikhil not only failed to hold on to, but one that ended up injuring his finger and ruling him out of the game entirely – Avishka proceeded to punish the Afghans in an innings that included 10 fours and five sixes.
Afghanistan did themselves few favours, straying short of a length for four of those five sixes as Avishka disdainfully picked them up over the leg side. His mistimed drive to extra cover saw him fall nine runs short of a fourth ODI ton, but by then Sri Lanka had piled on 173 runs – their second 150-plus opening stand of the series.
The onslaught though only continued following his dismissal as Nissanka duly upped his scoring rate and Kusal Mendis joined in on the festivities. Their stand of 78 came off just 55 deliveries, though neither was able to see the chase through to the finish, falling in quick succession.
That honour went to Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who ran down the 14 runs with little fuss as Sri Lanka won with 88 balls to spare.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 266 all out, 48.2 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 48, Rahamat Shah 65, Azmatullah Omarzai 54, Ikram Alikhil 32; Pramod Madushan 3-45, Dunith Wellalage 2-38, Asitha Fernando 2-44, Akila Dananjaya 2-54) lost to Sri Lanka 267/3 in 35.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 118, Avishka Fernando 91, Kusal Mendis 40; Qais Ahmad 2-46) by 7 wickets (with 88 balls remaining)
Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich took a second off the women-only half-marathon world record on Sunday when she won the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, stopping the clock at one hour, five minutes, and 15 seconds.
Ngetich, who also broke the women-only 10km (6.2-mile) world record last year, pushed to the front from the outset on a sunny morning in the Danish capital and led until the end, finishing 50 seconds ahead of compatriot Veronica Loleo, who came in second.
The previous record was set by Peres Jepchirchir, another Kenyan, when she won the World Half Marathon title in Poland in 2020.
The overall women’s half-marathon world record is held by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey, who clocked 1:02:52 in 2021 at the mixed-gender Valencia Half Marathon in Spain.
Sunday’s win was the latest major title this year for the 25-year-old Ngetich, who also won the team half marathon in Copenhagen and the World Cross Country Championships in Florida in the US in January.
(Aljazeera)
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Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara
Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.
Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district
LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.
Kenya’s Ngetich breaks women-only half-marathon world record by a second
Showers about 100 mm are likely at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya Districts
New Constitution to decide fate of executive presidency, PCs: NPP
NBRI issues landslide warning for three districts
Mahaweli rises as heavy rain triggers flood, landslide fears
SC determination on 22A to be conveyed to Speaker shortly
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