Sports
Apna, Annaya win singles crowns
Apna Perera clinched the third consecutive men’s singles hard court nationals title with a hard fought win over Ashen Silva in the finals played at Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Wednesday.
In the women’s singles final, Annaya Norbet beat Vinethya Dharmarathne 6-2, 6-2 to win the title.
Apna registered 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 win for the men’s title.
It was the third consecutive title for Apna who also won the 2023 and 2024 editions.
Meanwhile, in the boys’ Under 16 semi-finals, Mayooran K Kubherane beat Shennon Anderson 6-1, 6-1 and Ashlin de Silva beat Nevan Kannangara 6-2, 6-2 to reach the final.
Apna Perera (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
The BCB has demoted Taksin Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim to lower grades in their 2026 central contracts for the national men’s cricketers. Taskin was the only player in the A-plus category in 2025, with a monthly salary of BDT 1 million (US $8169 approx.), but now he joins the Test, ODI and T20I captains Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das, respectively, in category A.
This is the second tier in the BCB’s gradation policy, in which each player earns BDT 800,000 (US $6535 approx.) per year. No player has been placed in the A+ category this time.
It is unclear why Taskin has been demoted despite his strong performances with the ball. The team management has typically reduced his workload to prolong his effectiveness across all three formats. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur, who retired from ODIs in 2025, was in Grade A last year, but now finds himself in Grade B, where he will earn BDT 600,000 (US $4901 approx.) per month. Ten other players are in this category, including Test specialists Monimul Haque, Taijul Islam and Shadman Islam.
Shadman is also among four players promoted from Grade C to B, along with Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan.
The BCB has also expanded Grade D from last year, when only two cricketers were in that category. This time, there are seven players, including Saif Hasan and Nurul Hasan, who returned to the T20I setup last year.
Grades C and D pay BDT 400,000 (approximately US$3,267) and BDT 200,000 (approximately US$1,633) per month, respectively.
Bangladesh have made a slow start to the year, though, after the government decided not to send the team for the ongoing T20 World Cup. They resume playing international cricket with a three-match ODI series against Pakistan at home on March 12, 14 and 16.
2026 Bangladesh central contracts
Grade A: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed
Grade B: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Towhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana
Grade C: Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan, Nasum Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed
Grade D: Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain and Nurul Hasan
[Cricinfo]
Oman have suffered three heavy defeats to Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Ireland at the 2026 T20 World Cup, and had been thumped by Australia the only other time these two teams met, at the 2024 edition. But captain Jatinder Singh says his team sees their final match of this tournament as an opportunity to surprise a wounded Australia team.
Australia have nothing to gain from the match against Oman in Pallekele on Friday, aside from preserving some pride. Perhaps the gloom around the Australia camp will give Oman an opening. In fact it might be “the best time to crush them”.
“One hundred percent this is an opportunity,” Jatinder said. “And our boys are looking forward to it. Because T20 is a game of momentum and the moments, and if you play those moments right, you can do anything on that particular day. Australia is not doing well at the moment… it is the best time to crush them.
“The boys are really positive. They are looking forward to the match against Australia to make their mark.”
On how to make Oman more competitive in the long term, Jatinder believed franchise cricket opportunities for Oman players could be one route. Oman did not have a heavy cricket schedule in 2025, playing only 15 T20Is that year in addition to eight ODIs.
“Well if I have to sum up how Oman can improve, it would be if we have the franchise cricket happening in the country or our guys get a chance to play franchise cricket elsewhere,” Jatinder said. “I think we can fill that gap and they can bring vast amount of experience for our national team.
“But if we don’t get to play competitive cricket, whereas other teams are getting to play the competitive cricket, we will need to fill that gap. There have been instances where we’ve been inviting the teams to come and play in Oman. The response has been really delayed, or we don’t get any response. So I think if we have the franchise cricket, that would really fill the gap.”
[Cricinfo]
Oman made a couple of changes in the last two fixtures without success. Shakeel Ahmed went in and out of the side in the three games, but picked three wickets against Ireland and should keep his place. Jatinder might look at giving top-order batter Karan Sonavale another go.
[Cricbuzz]
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