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Kusal Mendis named inaugural president of Sri Lanka players’ association
The newly formed Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers’ Association (SLPCA) was officially launched on Saturday, with men’s white-ball captain Kusal Mendis appointed as its inaugural president. Backed heavily by prominent stars like women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu and allrounder Wanidu Hasaranga, the association has been established to serve as an independent and collective voice for professional cricketers in Sri Lanka.
“The formation of the SLPCA comes at a landmark time for Sri Lankan cricket, following a sustained period of positive progress and reform across the sport in the country, including the work of the game’s transformation committee to strengthen governance and modernise the domestic structure,” a media release said.
The launch comes amid a major phase of administrative upheaval, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in the middle of a heavy reform process under a temporary, government-appointed cricket Transformation Committee. The creation of a players association is the latest move towards modernising the game in the country, with a new constitution in the pipeline as well.
“Alongside the governance reforms and transformation work already underway, having a genuine, organised player voice is another important step toward a modern, collaborative game that is aligned with international best practice,” the release added.
The SLPCA is directly affiliated with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), the global federation for professional cricket players. Historically, Sri Lankan players have lacked structured access to the WCA’s international programs, welfare safety nets, and global player-advocacy networks.
The alignment is already visible at the top tier of global cricket governance, with Athapaththu appointed to the WCA Player Advisory Board earlier this year.
Prior to this, Sri Lanka was one of the few prominent cricket boards alongside India (BCCI) and Pakistan (PCB) that did not formally recognise or affiliate with the WCA. By launching the SLPCA, Sri Lanka will now mirror highly successful player associations like the Australian Cricketers’ Association, England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association, and the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association.
With tensions over the years having repeatedly flared between SLC and the players, such as earlier this year with regard to no objection certificates and mandatory physical fitness testing requirements to play in commercial leagues like the IPL, the SLPCA now offers a centralised body to negotiate these scheduling and career-flexibility conflicts.
While a past union, the Sri Lanka Cricketers’ Association, existed on and off since 2001, it was historically dominated by retired players, and critics argued it suffered from board-driven pressure. The SLPCA marks a permanent shift because it is led directly by active, current captains and marquee players from both the men and women’s national teams. Moreover, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, women’s cricket sits on completely equal footing in a player union’s blueprint.
“We’re proud to have established SPCA to represent Sri Lanka’s players at this important time, and we look forward to working constructively and collaboratively with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders as cricket continues to grow,” Kusal, as SPCA president, said.
Athapaththu said: “Through the work of the Transformation Committee, we have already seen great progress in Sri Lankan cricket. The setting up of the Players’ Association is another important step forward and sees Sri Lankan cricketers join many of our international colleagues in cricket and other sports who already benefit from effective player representation.”
(Cricinfo)
A complete performance from UAE’s bowling unit kept their semi-final hopes alive at the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup, skittling Indonesia for 73 and then completing the chase with six wickets to spare. They now have to beat Bangladesh on September 8 and also hope other results go their way.
UAE were on top right from the first ball courtesy offspinner Suraksha Kotte, who starred with 3 for 16. Kotte struck with the first two balls of the innings, dismissing Indonesia opener Maria Corazon and No. 3 Ni Luh Dewi for first-ball ducks. UAE captain Esha Oza (2 for 11) then dismissed the other opener Rahmawati Pangestuti in the fourth over.
Indonesia captainN8 Puu Ayu Nanda Sakarini top-scored with a lone hand of 39 off 52 balls, with four fours and a six, accounting for 53.4% of Indonesia’s runs. But with little support, they could not find a way back in and were bowled out for 73.
Slow left-arm spinner Heena Hotchandani (2 for 6) and seamer Samaira Dharnidharka (1 for 12) also got among the wickets. Legspinner Vaishnave Mahesh struck twice in the 20th over to clean up the tail.
UAE openers Theertha Satish and Oza put on 17 for the first wicket. After losing Theertha in the fifth over, Oza hit two boundaries in each of the sixth and eighth overs. No. 3 Rinitha Rajith then hit three fours off Sofia Velic in the ninth over.
A brief wobble followed for UAE as they slid from 62 for 1 to 68 for 4. Oza fell for a 29-ball 30 at the start of the 11th over to Ni Ariani and Velic grabbed two wickets in the 12th. However, with only six runs needed, UAE wrapped up the chase at the start of the 14th over, the tournament hosts securing two points with 41 balls to spare. This was also Indonesia’s final match of the campaign, bowing out with losses in all three games.
Scores:
UAE Women 75 for 4 8n 13.1 overs (Esha Oza 30, Rinitha Rajith 22; Ni Riani 1-10, Sang Maypriani 1-17, Sofia Velic 2-25) beat IndonesiaWomen 73 in 19.4 overs (N8 Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini 39, Desi Wulandari 12; Suraksha Kotte 3-16, Heena Hotchandani 2-06, Esha Oza 2-11, Samira Dharnidarkha 1-12 ) by six wickets
(Cricinfo)
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is
overhead today (05) are Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England, with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.
Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.
Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.
(Cricinfo)
Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak as haze from Indonesia worsens
UAE keep semi-final hopes alive after convincing win over Indonesia
Sun directly overhead Moratuwa, Kesbewa, Handapangoda, Idalgashinna, Yudhaganawa, Kotiyagala and Panama about 12.08 noon today (05)
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts after 2.00 p.m
Namal remanded until Sept. 18 over Airbus deal investigation
Dengue cases surpass 96,000 this year
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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