Sports

Asalanka and Bhanuka star in terrific run chase

Published

5 years ago

2021/10/25

by Rex Clementine

Quietly, Sri Lankan fans are sensing that their team is going to make an impact in the T-20 World Cup. Written off by experts and little momentum behind their campaign following the 3-0 drubbing at the hands of South Africa at home, Sri Lanka had to qualify. Having done that in style with three big wins, the former champions came up with a superb effort to chase a massive 172 run target with seven balls to spare against Bangladesh in Sharjah yesterday.

Sri Lanka’s bowling has been top class during the qualifiers but in their first Super 12 game, the bowlers conceded too many runs and the target looked beyond them. More so as the team’s two leading match winners Kusal Perera (1) and Avishka Fernando (0) departed cheaply. By half way mark, Sri Lanka were 79 for four and with Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan having got lots of overs at their disposal, Bangladesh were favourites.

Then came a brilliant counterattack by Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. They did not allow the run rate to climb up too high finding the boundary frequently and there was excellent running between the wickets to put pressure on Bangladesh.

Bangladesh were sloppy on the field with Liton Das grassing two catches and Sri Lanka weren’t going to miss out from thereon.

Captain in waiting Charith Asalanka was brilliant. Having replaced former captain Dinesh Chandimal in the side, he has added depth into batting occupying the crucial number three slot. Everyone knows that this Asalanka is a consistent batsman but he showcased a new skill to his game coming up with a few big hits. More importantly, his game sense was excellent. Once Sri Lanka had things under control, requiring run a ball, he was happy to pick up the singles.

There were five sixes and five fours in Asalanka’s innings as he finished unbeaten on 80 off 49 balls.

Providing him company was Bhanuka Rajapaksa. There have been a few questions asked about Bhankua’s temperament, fitness and even at times skill. But he silenced his critics with a half-century that was much needed for Sri Lanka.

Bhanuka’s ability to clear the ropes was in display as he finished with a strike rate of 170 finding the boundary when Sri Lanka desperately needed them. There were three sixes and three fours in his 53 that came off 31 balls. Is there a better way to celebrate your birthday?

Their 86 run stand is the highest for the fifth wicket for Sri Lanka.

There’s a feel good factor in the Sri Lankan camp. Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando are yet to fire big and they will take the form of Bhanuka and Asalanka as a bonus.

The national cricket team has a habit of raising their performances in ICC events and their effort yesterday gave fans lot of hope. Asalanka has been an excellent find while Bhanuka is set to be ranked alongside the likes of Pollard and Maxwell.

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Sports

India closing in on big win in Colombo

Published

5 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sonal Dinusha’s impressive run in the series continued as he posted back to back hundreds, but India are in total control of the game

by Rex Clementine

India are closing in on a big win at SSC after Sri Lanka slumped to 229 for six at stumps on day four of the second Test having been forced to follow on yesterday.

Sri Lanka lead by just 16 runs with four wickets in hand and with three sessions remaining, the tourists will be looking to wrap up victory and complete a 2-0 series sweep. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.

Sonal Dinusha, who batted superbly for a hundred in the first innings, was unbeaten on seven when rain brought play to a premature end. With Sri Lanka now into the tail, Dinusha has his work cut out. He has been the hosts’ standout performer in the series, having also made 100 and 84 in Galle.

Sri Lanka resumed the day on 265 for eight, still needing 39 runs to avoid the follow on, but were bowled out for 290 and asked to bat again.

Although they lost both openers early, Kamindu Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara gave Sri Lanka hope with a 115 run stand for the third wicket.

Sooriyabandara, who had made 80 in the first innings, once again played spin superbly, using clever footwork, while Mendis took on the fast bowlers.

But India had plenty of runs on the board and persisted with the short ball against Mendis, stationing three fielders on the boundary. Eventually, the plan paid off. Mendis took on Mohammed Siraj and perished for 55, with captain Shubman Gill running in from square leg to complete a fine catch.

That was the breakthrough India desperately wanted and the spinners quickly turned the screws. Three wickets fell for just nine runs as Sri Lanka surrendered the initiative and India regained control.

Sooriyabandara missed out on a well deserved hundred when he charged Manav Suthar. The left-arm spinner cleverly fired the ball wide, leaving the batter stranded as Rishabh Pant whipped off the bails in a flash. Sooriyabandara’s 92 came off 173 balls and contained ten fours and a six.

Having spent considerable time in the field, India’s bowlers were beginning to tire, evident from the number of loose deliveries they sent down. But Sri Lanka’s batters lacked the patience to drive home the advantage, with several throwing away their wickets just when the hosts appeared to be clawing their way back into the contest.

Sports

Sri Lanka Air Force win Overall Championship at 14th Defence Services Badminton Championship

Published

5 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Airforce Men's and Women's Badminton Teams with officials

Sri Lanka Air Force emerged Overall Champions in both the Men’s and Women’s categories at the 14th Defence Services Badminton Championship concluded successfully on 21 August 2026 at the Sri Lanka Army Indoor Sports Complex, Panagoda.

The SLAF Men’s Team secured the Open Men’s Doubles and Men’s Team Championships, while the Women’s Team excelled by winning the Open Women’s Singles, Open Women’s Doubles and Women’s Team Championships.

In the Open Men’s Doubles, Leading Aircraftman Lochana De Silva and Aircraftman Achintha Imeshaqe secured the championship, while Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara and Aircraftwoman Anurangi Masakorala claimed the Open Women’s Doubles title with Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara winning the Open Women’s Singles Championship.

Major General Mohan Premaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Army Badminton Federation, was the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony while SLAF’s Director Sports Air Commodore Prabath Dissanayake, former Chairman Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Air Commodore Poojana Gunathilake, Secretary Air Force Sports Council Group Captain Eranda Geeganage and Secretary Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Wing Commander Thushara Wijeratne. were also present.

Sports

Malki and Shashini bowl Sri Lanka Air Force to a 169 run win

Published

5 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Malki Madara / Shahini Fernando

Malki Madara and Shashini Fernando shared nine wickets between them to help Sri Lanka Air Force Women beat Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women by 169 runs and propel their team to the semi finals of the Major Club Womens Limited Over cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

In the game played at their home ground in Katunayake on Monday [24], Sri Lanka Air Force posted 276 runs for the loss of eight wickets with Ashani Kaushalya topping the score card with 57 runs off 81 balls with ten hits to the ropes.Sasini Alwis and Wethumya Wijesuriya captured three wickets each.

Chasing 277 to win Shashini Fernando captured five wickets while Malki Madara captured four wickets to restrict the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women to 107. Skipper Sanduni Nisansala scored 38 off 61 balls with four boundaries and a six.

Sri Lankan Air Force Women will meet Panadura Sports Club Women for the semi-final at the LRDC ground on Friday (28)

Scores:

Sri Lanka Air Force Women 276/8 in 50 overs [Ashani Kawshalya 57, Malsha Shehani 32, Savindi Cooray 34*; Sasini Alwis 2-48, Wethumya Wijesuriya 2-67]

Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women 107/10 in 43.5 overs [Sanduni Nisansala 38; Malki Madara 4-14, Shashini Fernando 5-09]