Sports
Asalanka admits Sri Lanka have much to ponder ahead of T20 World Cup
Skipper Charith Asalanka pulled no punches after Sri Lanka’s historic T20I series defeat to Bangladesh, admitting that his team is staring down a long list of unanswered questions with the World Cup just around the corner.
Sri Lanka had drawn first blood with a commanding seven-wicket win in Pallekele — a night where Kusal Mendis was in full flow, sending the bowlers on a leather hunt. But once the in-form opener fell cheaply in the next two games, the hosts collapsed like a house of cards, handing Bangladesh their maiden T20I series win against the islanders.
The wheels began to come off in Dambulla, where Sri Lanka were skittled for 94 — their lowest T20I total at home — succumbing to a crushing 83-run defeat, their worst ever against Bangladesh. Having picked the wrong XI, the Sri Lankans tried to plug the holes ahead of the decider in Colombo. But even with a bolstered batting line-up, they stumbled again — managing just 132, a total that was never going to test Bangladesh.
The visitors, brimming with confidence, knocked off the runs with eight wickets in hand and 21 deliveries to spare to complete a memorable come-from-behind triumph.
“As a team, we’re gutted,” Asalanka told reporters post-match. “With the T20 World Cup in sight, we’ve been experimenting with different combinations. But the number four and six slots remain problem areas — and so far, it’s been trial and error without much reward.”
The left-hander acknowledged Sri Lanka’s biggest Achilles heel — the lack of firepower in the middle order.
“If you look around the world, most top sides have batters striking at over 130 — from positions one to seven. We’ve barely got two or three players who meet that benchmark. That’s a huge concern in this format, and we’ve got to bridge that gap quickly,” he said.
Fielding, too, came under the microscope, with a couple of dropped catches and misfields punctuating Sri Lanka’s series.
“I’m really disappointed. We always aim for 100 percent catching, but if you keep grassing chances, you can’t expect to win at this level,” said Asalanka, visibly frustrated.
The 27-year-old also owned up to a tactical misstep in the series decider, choosing to bat first on a surface that clearly got better under lights.
“I misread the wicket,” he admitted. “Batting became easier as the game progressed. Mahedi Hasan bowled brilliantly upfront and put us on the back foot. But all in all, it was a very disappointing outing.”
With just months to go before the T20 World Cup — co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India — the hosts now find themselves in a race against time to sort out their playing XI, fix their flaws and rediscover their mojo.
As it stands, Sri Lanka’s T20 campaign is in need of serious repair — and fast — if they are to make any meaningful noise on the global stage.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
Sports
Clash of the Sisters set for October 4
The St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association will bring together former students from several leading schools for a day of cricket and camaraderie when the ‘Clash of the Sisters ’26’ takes place at the Wesley College Grounds, Campbell Park, on Sunday, October 4.
The tournament will feature a series of fast-paced 10-over softball cricket matches, with past pupils renewing old friendships while representing their respective schools in a spirit of friendly rivalry.
The women’s competition will feature teams representing St. Lawrence’s Convent, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent, St. Anne’s BMV Wattala, Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College and Methodist College.
A men’s invitational exhibition match will also be staged, with the Old Wesleyites Sports Club taking on the S. Thomas’ College OBA.
Organisers are also planning a carnival atmosphere away from the cricket, with food stalls, games, entertainment and other activities lined up for alumni, families and visitors.
The event is being organised by the St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association 2026/27 with the aim of bringing together different alumni communities and strengthening ties between past pupils through sport.
With eight schools involved in the women’s competition and an exhibition fixture adding further interest, organisers expect the event to provide a lively mix of cricket, fellowship and school spirit.
Sports
Play cricket with passion, Madugalle tells youngsters
by Rex Clementine
Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country.
The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago.
“I hear that four players from this team will be travelling to Japan tomorrow to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. That’s a very good achievement for any club and I urge you to play with passion and be committed. There is no bigger honour than representing your country,” Madugalle said.
Madugalle, who charmed cricket lovers with his elegant stroke play during his playing days, held the gathering spellbound with an eloquent address that also took him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
“I have many fond memories of P. Sara Oval. I walked into this ground as an 11-year-old to watch the Royal-Thomian. I played our inaugural Test here, but above all, my most memorable moment at this ground was when we won our maiden Test against India in 1985.”
The P. Sara Oval occupies a special place in Sri Lankan cricket history. It hosted the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and, three years later, the island’s maiden Test victory when Sri Lanka stunned India.
Madugalle also paid tribute to several Tamil Union stalwarts who had played an influential role in his cricketing journey.
“This club has several stalwarts of the game and there are three people I looked up to. One was Sathi Coomaraswamy, who invited me into the dressing room when I was a kid and ignited the passion in me for the game. Then, of course, there are other gentlemen like Chandra Schaffter and T. Murugaser, who were managers when I was representing the Sri Lankan team.”
Madugalle, a former Head Prefect of Royal College, received a prolonged ovation at the conclusion of his address. Also present was another former Royal Head Prefect, Eran Wickramaratne, who represented Tamil Union in First Class cricket and currently heads Sri Lanka Cricket.
Tamil Union’s championship winning players and coaching staff were felicitated during the ceremony, while club patron Chandra Schaffter made a personal donation of Rs. 1.5 million to the players.
SLC officials, Tamil Union members and several former presidents of the club, including S. Skandakumar, Dinal Philips, A.R. Rasiah, Selva Perumal, Kandos Kandasamy and N. Vasanthakumar, were among those present.
Tamil Union enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s T-20 competition, winning nine matches on the trot before overcoming SSC in the final. The side was captained by wicketkeeper batter Minod Bhanuka.
The club had further reason to celebrate with four of its playersl Tharindu Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando and Sineth Jayawardene selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in Japan.
Sports
Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy on October 4
Mosvold Sri Lanka, whose portfolio includes Mosvold Villa Ahangama and Sundara by Mosvold Balapitiya, will stage the second edition of the Mosvold Sixes in partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation on Sunday, 4th October 2026, at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club.
The six a side softball cricket tournament brings together twenty destination management companies from across the travel trade for a day of competition, networking and celebration ahead of the industry’s busiest months.
Play runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with food and beer available throughout the day. Once the final match is done, the tournament moves into an evening of live music and an after party for players and guests.
Now in its second year, the Mosvold Sixes began as a way to bring the travel trade together as a season opener, a chance for agents, suppliers and partners to network, play cricket and unwind before the season ahead gets busy. Mosvold Sri Lanka says the longer term goal is to widen the tournament to foreign agents, giving international partners a firsthand look at how the local trade works, plays and welcomes visitors.
The tournament trophy, the Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy, is named after the Foundation by design. Giving back sits at the centre of the event, and the Foundation’s work spans education, women and community upliftment.
Twenty DMCs have confirmed for this year’s tournament: Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance de Ceylan, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka and Ceylon Tours.
Connaissance de Ceylan enters as the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year.
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