Sports
Asalanka eyes top-three ranking for resurgent Sri Lanka
Not every captain is born to lead. Some inherit the role, others grow into it. Charith Asalanka belongs firmly in the latter camp – groomed from his schoolboy days, captaining the Sri Lanka Under-19 side, and earmarked early as a future leader. Now at the helm of the national ODI team, the left-hander has not just steadied the ship but steered it into calmer, more ambitious waters.
When Asalanka assumed the reins, Sri Lanka languished at No. 9 in the ICC ODI rankings. Eighteen months later, they sit proudly in fourth, having scalped giants like Australia and India along the way. But the 28-year-old southpaw isn’t one to rest on his laurels.
“Those series wins gave us belief,” Asalanka told reporters on the eve of the opening ODI against Bangladesh. “But we’re not done. The goal is to be among the top three teams in the world. We know we’ve still got plenty of work to do.”
A calm presence in the heat of battle, Asalanka has led from the front and is currently Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked batter at No. 8 in the world. More than just a captain, he’s become the heartbeat of a team on the mend after the ignominy of missing out on Champions Trophy qualification.
As the sides gear up for the series opener at R. Premadasa Stadium today, conditions are expected to favour the batters – some respite after spin-friendly surfaces in recent outings.
Sri Lanka have a few selection calls to make. All-rounder Milan Rathnayake, sidelined from the second Test with a side strain, returned to training and is in contention for his maiden ODI cap. The decision hinges on whether the hosts opt for Rathnayake’s seam-bowling versatility or stick with the left-arm spin of Dunith Wellalage.
Speedster Dushmantha Chameera has also been drafted into the squad, though team sources indicate he may not feature in the series opener as he works his way back to the side.
Meanwhile, captains and coaches across the world are still coming to grips with the latest tweaks in ODI playing conditions. One key change Sri Lanka will face for the first time is the use of a single ball from the 35th over onward – a move that will test the bowlers’ ability to reverse swing the older ball.
Bangladesh, too, begin a new chapter under full-time captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The all-rounder has stepped in before as stand-in skipper, but this marks his first series as permanent leader.
The visitors are in transition, having dropped several experienced hands including Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar and Nasum Ahmed, and thrown their lot in with a crop of promising youngsters. But results have been hard to come by – the tourists have slipped to tenth in the ODI rankings and are desperate for a course correction.
The two teams, heading in opposite directions on the rankings ladder, now square off in a three-match series that could have implications beyond just the numbers.
Squads:
Sri Lanka (from):
Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga.
Bangladesh (From):
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud.
Umpires:
Allahuddien Paleker (RSA), Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SL)
Third umpire:
Asif Yaqoob (PAK)
Match referee:
Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
by Rex Clementine
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.
India opener Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Shafali, an ICC release said, breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
It was Shafali’s first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings when Shafali threw the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a chance at mid-off offered by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano off Sree Charani.
Shafali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee GS Lakshmi, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India currently lead the three-match series 2-0 with the third game to be played on Tuesday evening. The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs in Vadodara from October 23.
(Cricinfo)
A total of 146 players will be competing for 27 available slots in the WPL 2027 mini auction on October 28 in Kochi. Of these, England batter Sophia Dunkley and Australia captain Sophie Molineux are the only two players who have listed themselves at the maximum base price of INR 50 lakh.
The auction pool has 119 Indian players, including 22 capped and 97 uncapped players, with 20 slots available for Indian players. The overseas pool has 27 players – 14 capped and 13 uncapped – including six from Associate teams, with seven slots available.
G Kamalini (released by Mumbai Indians), Kiran Navigre (released by U P Warriorz), Heather Graham and Jess Jonassen have registered at the second-highest base price of INR 40 lakh, while a total of 30 players have registered at INR 30 lakh.
Among the notable absentees are West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin, who was released by UPW, and Australia legspinner Alana King, who was released by Delhi Capitals. Lizelle Lee, who was DC’s highest run-scorer last season, has also not listed herself after being released by the franchise.
What the teams look like going into the auction
Only two English players – Dunkley and Kira Chathli (INR 10 lakh) – have registered for the auction, with several others, including Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Dani Gibson, Lauren Filer and Linsey Smith opting to skip the WPL next year.
Cricinfo has learned that England are likely to play three T20Is in Sri Lanka in early February, which will clash with the final week of the WPL. While the ECB is likely to allow players to stay in India to complete the tournament, most players have instead chosen to prioritise their international commitments ahead of the Champions Trophy later that month.
The relatively low salaries on offer at the WPL are also understood to be a factor in many English players deciding not to register, with most internationals earning significantly more to play in the Hundred (up to £190,000 last year) than the highest permitted base price in the WPL of INR 50 lakh (£40,000 approx).
Molineux was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] title-winning squad in 2024, and had bagged 12 wickets in ten games at an economy rate of 7.31. She was retained by RCB for the 2025 season but a knee injury ruled her out of the season. Dunkley, meanwhile, played for Gujarat Giants [GT] in 2023 before opting not to register for the 2024 season. She went unsold in the 2025 auction.
Among the premier internationals who have listed themselves for INR 30 lakh are Australia allrounder Grace Harris (released by RCB), Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and South Africa allrounder Chloe Tryon.
UPW, who released nine players, will go into the auction with the biggest purse of INR 3.75 crore.
[Cricinfo]
Import and Export (Control) Regulations No. 08 of 2026
Draft Bill of the Public Private Partnership Enterprises Act to be gazzetted
Amendment of the Ayurvedha Act No. 31 of 1961
Cabinet nod to amend the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute Act No. 9 of 1982
Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre
State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero
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