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CR have forced Kandy ‘lions’ to enter a cold rugby winter  

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By A Special Sports Correspondent

The Kandy SC vs CR&FC game schedule for February 18 (Sunday) in Colombo will be the decider in the Inter-Club league rugby tournament and the Red Shirts are slated to pull this one off. This is the ninth week of rugby and after last week’s games CR&FC head the points table followed by Kandy SC, Havelock Sports Club and CH&FC in second, third and fourth places respectively.  

Last week CR&FC edged out Havelock Sports Club 12-9 in a cracker of a game and one more win, especially against the dangerous looking Kandy outfit, in this tournament would ensure that the Longden Place club are the winners this season. But the standings in the points table of the tournament would change dramatically if Kandy pulls off something special and end CR’s unbeaten run.

A Kandy SC win is highly unlikely because the game is played at Longden Place in Colombo this week. Kandy SC have a ferocious ‘Lion’ as the emblem in their club’s flag. But CR have made the Nittawela players worry this season akin to a pack of lions forced to hunt throughout a frost-biting ‘winter’.

On paper CR&FC has a talented side with the bench being equally strong. Two of the finds this season for the Red Shirts are number eight Lasindu Karunathilake and place kicker and fly half Thenuka Nanayakkara. Karunathilake has been in fine form and punched holes in the opposition defences with his fierce play in the loose. Nanayakkara has been right on target with his spot kicks and kept the scoreboard ticking during tight games.

The others to watch in this game are second row forward Adeesha Weerathunga, hooker Venura Kodagoda, lock forward and skipper Suhiru Anthony, scrum half Kavindu de Costa, dashing centre Manilka Ruberu, Gemunu Chethiya and the young wing three quarter Kushan Tharindu. CR has made massive strides this season under coach Dushanth Lewke, who is now looked upon as a coach who can make a difference where ever he goes and sets up camp.

Kandy SC will travel to Colombo with worries outweighing hopes this time around. They have already got into a distracting mode by writing to the organizers of domestic rugby tournaments making demands about a preferred venue (Nittawela) for the next tournament on the cards – the Clifford Cup- when they still have to complete this present rugby event they feature in. Kandy want all the matches they feature in to be played at Nittawela.

Even last season they made same request which was turned down by SLR. Kandy, as a result, pulled out of the Clifford Cup knockout tournament and had to be satisfied winning the league tournament. This mentality can be a distraction for a team which his season sees its dominance in the sport being checked unlike in previous years.

The good thing which happened for Kandy was that they came back strongly in last week’s game against CH&FC before pulling off a convincing 32-24. It’s heartbreaking for Kandy fans to see the Nittawela side lose or struggle at matches this season, but what spectators from the central hills must fathom is that other teams have also focused on learning the art of wining and mastering how the game must be approached in a professional manner.

If one steps into a Colombo club these days there would be no difference in the way these Western Province clubs are training and eating when compared to how Kandy SC are setting about this task. Kandy can no longer stake a claim for heading the teams when it comes to deciding which side is being bigger, faster and stronger on the field.

This side is oozing with talent with players in the likes of the Ratwatte brothers, skipper Lavanga Perera, Kavindu Perera, Danushka Ranjan and Dinal Ekanayake running as backs and players in the likes of Jason Dissanayake, Dishan Fareed, Fawmy Wajeed and Dahan Wickremaarachchi doing the honours in forwards play. Centre Tharinda Ratwatte has been a tower of strength to the side and is in his devastating best this season. He has dazzled both as a place kicker and is also one of the leading try scorers this season. Utility player Srinath Sooriyabandara can play as fullback and shift to manning the base of the scrum if Kandy is wilting under pressure. Kandy’s players are put through their paces this season by head coach Fazil Marija and he is assisted by Viraj Prashantha. Kandy SC are the reigning league champions while CR&FC finished as runners-up in the tournament last season.

In the other match of the Cup Championship CH&FC host Havelocks SC on Saturday (February 17) in a game scheduled to take place at Royal College Sports Complex. (This venue was confirmed by SLR)

In the Plate segment of the tournament Navy SC scrum down with Army at Welisara on Friday while Air Force host Police (who are heading the Plate Championship points table and already declared the winners) at Ratmalana on Saturday (February 17). Air force won the Plate Championship last season.

The teams:  

CR&FC rugby pool from:S. Nanayakkara,  A. Gunasinghe,  S. Perera, T. Nanayakkara, Y. Kavindu,  Lasindu Karunathilake, C. Muthunayake, A. Weerathunga, S. Adikaram, S. Anthony (Captain), E. Harshana, I Ariyapala, Naveen Marasinghe,  K. De Costa, M. Ruberu, Gemunu Chethiya, R. Ekanayake, K. Tharindu,  T. Mariyadas,  R. Senanayake, W. De Mel,  Rinesh Silva, Randy Silva, Raveen De Silva, V. Kodagoda

Kandy SC rugby pool from– M. Wijesundara, K. Bandara, M. Weerasinghe, Wawala Panditha, C. Soysa, C. Kudalige, Jason Dissanayake, Dahan Wickremeaarachchi, Heshan Jansen, L. Ranaweera, Dinal Ekanayake, Tharinda Ratwatte, Lavanga Perera (Captain), D. Dange, Srinath Sooriyabandara, A. Mohomed, D. Fareed, M. Chandradas, F. Wajid, S. Abeywickrama, S. Tennakoon, O. Perera, Danushka Ranjan.



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IPL 2025 suspended for a week amid heightened Indo-Pak tension

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With the safety of various stakeholders in mind, the BCCI has temporarily suspended the league (IPL)
The remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been temporarily suspended. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development, clarifying in a media release that the suspension is for a week at the moment.
Cricbuzz understands that the decision, taken against the backdrop of heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan, follows a high-stakes meeting of the BCCI top brass. It is understood that various options including a possible change of venues were mulled before this decision was taken.
“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” the BCCI said in the release.
“The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans; while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders,” the BCCI further said.
The move to suspend the league comes close on the heels of Thursday’s (May 8) called off match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala and amid growing anxiety among overseas players. With all options on the table, the BCCI have opted for a temporary suspension, keeping the safety and interests of all stakeholders in mind.
One of the immediate concerns was the safe movement of the stakeholders. In its bid to transport all involved in the IPL, including teams, players, broadcast crews and other league staff from Dharamsala to New Delhi, utmost secrecy is being maintained. Those involved were told to board the bus at their hotels in Dharamsala but they have not been told where they will board the train to Delhi from. 
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal earlier stated that any further decisions would be made in consultation with the government. “We are reviewing the situation. It’s evolving, and we haven’t received any directive from the government yet. Any decision will be taken keeping all logistical considerations and the best interests of stakeholders in mind,” Dhumal had said.
While the suspension is officially for a week now, it remains to be seen how the geopolitical situation unfolds in the next few days. BCCI’s next move will likely depend on how quickly the situation stabilizes and whether player concerns can be effectively addressed.

(Cricbuzz)

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PSL moved to UAE amid India-Pakistan tensions

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The dates and venues of the remaining matches will be announced in due course (PSL)

The remainder of the tenth edition of the PSL has been moved to the UAE amid escalating border tensions between Pakistan and India.  The PCB has said that the dates and venues of the remaining eight games in the PSL 2025  season would be officially confirmed in due course.

On Thursday, Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi were due to play a game at the Rawalpindi Stadium, which was rescheduled following an emergency meeting. At the meeting, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with overseas players in the league, who overwhelmingly expressed a desire to relocate the league to the UAE.

ESPNcricinfo understands that foreign players are already on their way out of Pakistan to the UAE, where the rest of the league will be played. It is likely to be several days before the next game is played as the PCB works out which venues to play the games at.

The original schedule would have seen four of the remaining games in Rawalpindi, one in Multan, and the final three in Lahore. An earlier update  from the PCB had said the league would be rescheduled, but did not confirm at the time it would be taken out of Pakistan, with Karachi considered a likely option.

The PSL, now in its tenth season, is familiar with the UAE, having started there back in 2016. It was played there in full – barring the PSL 2017 final – for the first two seasons. Part of season six, in 2021, also had to be played in the UAE because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Any delays to the PSL are likely to impact Pakistan’s international calendar, too. Bangladesh are due to arrive in Pakistan three days after the PSL final, originally slated for May 18, with the first of five T20Is to begin on May 25 in Faisalabad. The PCB told ESPNcricinfo that no decision had yet been taken on the fate of that series.

(Cricinfo)

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Bangladesh Under 19s win Youth ODI series

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Bangladesh Under 19s won the Youth ODI series 3-2.

Bangladesh Under 19s won the six-match Youth ODI series 3-2 after the final Youth ODI against Sri Lanka Under 19s ended without a result due to rain at the Colts ground on Thursday.

Sri Lanka came to the final match with the hope of leveling the series but rain prevented a full match.

Deciding to bat first, the visitors were 188 for three wickets in the 40th over when rain prevented further play.

Skipper Azizul Hakim led Bangladesh with 94 runs inclusive of seven fours and two sixes. For the hosts, Tharusha Navodya, Kugathas Mathulan and Himal Ravihansa took a wicket each.

Sri Lanka Under 19s won the opening encounter by a big margin but three consecutive defeats thereafter saw the visitors take command. Sri Lanka Under 19s bounced back in the penultimate match to keep alive the series but rain spoilt their plans in the final encounter.

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