Sports
An opportunity missed for Sri Lanka
Chasing down 300 these days is no longer rocket science. On the belters of the subcontinent, sides regularly mow down such totals with the ease of a Sunday stroll. Sri Lanka looked well on track to do just that in Rawalpindi on Tuesday when the openers set the tone with a brisk 85-run stand. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara were striking it sweetly, while Pakistan’s quicks lost their radar, spraying wides like confetti. Then came the fatal rush of blood — Mishara went for one shot too many, and Pakistan sniffed a chance. Once they had an opening, they pounced like a pack of wolves.
Not that it was a full-blown collapse. Barring Kusal Mendis, who bagged a golden duck, every other batter got a start but failed to carry on. Too many soft dismissals, too few partnerships — the story was all too familiar. When the dust settled, Pakistan held their nerve to scrape home by six runs, leaving Sri Lanka to rue another opportunity gone begging.
Wanindu Hasaranga was the lone bright spark. Earlier in the day, he bamboozled Pakistan with a three-wicket burst and was unlucky to miss a fourth when Hussain Talat survived a tight call. Later, with bat in hand, Hasaranga mounted a valiant rearguard, top-scoring with 59 to take the chase deep. But the top order had left too steep a hill to climb.
Pakistan, aided by a slippery outfield and heavy dew, will be the happier side — the early series lead gives them the inside track in the race for the coveted fourth spot in the ICC rankings.
For Sri Lanka, the biggest letdown was the dismissal of Charith Asalanka. Ranked sixth in the world and the team’s go-to man under pressure, Asalanka has built a reputation for shepherding tricky chases. On this occasion, he danced down the track to the left-arm spinner and paid the price — stumped in rather uncharacteristic fashion. The captain, usually the calm in the storm, lost his head when composure was needed most.
There are quiet murmurs about his fitness, though officials insist his skinfolds are within acceptable limits. Still, on television, he did appear a touch heavier around the midriff — not quite what you’d expect from Sri Lanka’s standard-bearer.
Make no mistake — Asalanka remains the brain and heartbeat of this side. No one in the current setup reads a game better or finishes with the same assurance. Since taking over the reins in turbulent times, he has built this team brick by brick — a unit that has toppled both India and Australia. The next step is consistency, the mark of a truly formidable outfit.
Sri Lanka must now dust themselves off, pick up the pieces and square the ledger in today’s game. And nothing would be sweeter than seeing Asalanka himself steering the chase home.
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.
-
News6 days agoShanakiyan urges urgent action over reported death sentence for Lankan in Saudi Arabia
-
News5 days agoNamal Rajapaksa Buddhist gambit fails, bail denied
-
Features5 days agoWhy the spelling Sri Lankan names in English vary
-
Features5 days agoThree bands, a new identity: Sri Lankan wolf snake recognised as distinct species
-
Business5 days agoSLIIT holds largest-ever convocation
-
News5 days agoGovt monitors reported Saudi death sentence – Foreign Ministry
-
News5 days agoVehicle prices drop by up to Rs. 1 mn, says importers’ body
-
Business5 days agoAll-new Bolero MaXX Pik-Up unveiled in Lanka
