Sports
Bhanuka’s chaotic half-hour sparks fresh selection questions
The half-hour that Bhanuka Rajapaksa spent at the crease in Rawalpindi on Thursday was enough to make even the most patient Sri Lankan fan wonder whether they were watching international cricket or a Tennyson Cooray stage play. Bhanuka looked a fish out of water, a rabbit caught in the headlights — pick any wildlife metaphor you like — and you’d still struggle to capture just how out of place he seemed. While everyone else played professional sport, Bhanuka appeared determined to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, why he didn’t quite belong there.
Play was held up because he needed to change his pads — after facing just a couple of deliveries. Then came the attempted pull shot: he swung, missed, didn’t bother to run and nearly sacrificed his partner in the process. Three overs later he made no such “mistake”; this time he managed to complete the job, hitting straight to cover, calling Kusal Mendis through, and sending the already frustrated batter down the river without even a paddle.
Two balls later came another episode in this unintended sitcom. Dasun Shanaka set off for a single, Bhanuka stayed home and the pair contrived to meet at the same end. Thankfully the throw went astray, sparing further humiliation. The comedy finally ended when Bhanuka charged down the wicket in sheer desperation, failed to make contact and was duly cleaned up. Curtain down.
We’ve seen this script before. Yes, Bhanuka can win you a game — once in a blue moon, when the planets align and the cricketing gods feel generous. But consistency is not his middle name, nor his first, nor his last. Going back to him feels less like a bold selection call and more like rummaging through the past in the hope of finding magic dust in a forgotten drawer.
He hasn’t earned this recall by tearing up domestic cricket; he’s here because the selectors decided he should be. And since he’s been parachuted into a place where he doesn’t quite fit, he’s understandably struggling to come to terms with the altitude. His fitness remains an issue — and more than anything, it fuels self-doubt faster than any express bowler.
Sri Lanka should be rewarding players knocking on the door, not those who are already halfway out of the house. Increasingly, the national team is being used as a stepping stone for the next franchise gig and the results are painfully visible.
In most cricketing nations, Bhanuka Rajapaksa wouldn’t be playing international cricket — not because he lacks skill, but because he lacks the desire and his bad attitude. That burning hunger, the thirst to wear the cap with pride, simply isn’t there. Had it been there, he would have worked harder on his fitness years ago. Instead, he’s being selected because the selectors are desperate — but desperation rarely builds dynasties.
And then there’s Pavan Rathnayake, carrying water as though that’s his life’s calling. Sure, his T20 numbers don’t sparkle, but selections cannot be reduced to statistics alone. Hunger, intent, competitiveness — these matter too.
Look at the ‘A’ team: Sahan Arachchige is flourishing, while Sonal Dinusha and Garuka Sanketh look promising, genuine long-term prospects. But the selectors seem determined to maintain the status quo until the World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host. That’s fine — if they’re also ready to stomach more embarrassing episodes like Thursday’s.
Because if players can’t put bat to ball against Zimbabwe, one shudders to think what will happen when Kagiso Rabada steams in, or Mitchell Starc swings it at 145kph, or Mark Wood brings thunder and lightning. As they say, the less said, the better.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
Iran says that the country’s institutions are fully prepared for its national football team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In a statement made to state broadcaster IRIB, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Wednesday that the Ministry of Youth and Sports ensured all necessary arrangements for the team’s effective participation in the tournament.
She also said the preparations were made under the directive of the sport minister, with a focus on providing the required facilities for a successful performance.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on April 16 that Iran is expected to participate in the upcoming World Cup, taking place from June 11 to July 19, noting that the team has qualified and expressed its willingness to compete despite the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.
“But Iran has to come, they represent their people, they have qualified, the players want to play,” he said of the Iranian team’s upcoming matches scheduled in the United States in June.
“Sports should be outside of politics,” Infantino said.
[Aljazeera]
The Olympic cricket stadium for LA 2028 could host Indian Premier League teams in the future as part of its global expansion plans, says Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive Venky Mysore.
Construction has now started on the site at the Fairgrounds, officially known as Fairplex, in the southern Californian city of Pomona in readiness for cricket’s return to the Games.
The stadium will become the home to KKR’s US franchise, Los Angeles Knight Riders and will host Major League Cricket (MLC) matches this July.
It will be a modular venue built in three phases with capacity for 5,000 fans this year, rising to 8,500 in 2027 and then up to 15,000 for the six-team T20 tournament for LA 2028.
Mysore also hopes the ground could eventually stage IPL exhibition fixtures as the competition looks to expand into the United States.
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” he told BBC Sport.
“The challenge is always player availability. Once the IPL season is over, everyone’s calendars are packed and they’re running in different directions.
“But the BCCI has talked about a couple of teams going out and playing exhibition games to grow cricket… so that’s always on the agenda.”
The USA is widely regarded as the world’s largest sports market and seen as a key growth area for cricket.
Mysore said there had been “concrete proposals” from both the US and Canada to host IPL teams in the past, although neither have come to fruition.
“This is my 16th season with the IPL and we’ve tried every year, but somehow it hasn’t happened,” he explained.
“There’s a real opportunity to piggyback on what’s happening with MLC to grow the market further.
“When viewership goes up, it has a positive effect on things like media rights. It makes a lot of sense. But first things first – we have to deliver what we’ve started here.”
[BBC]
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem has been fined 15% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for saying the umpiring was biased during the second T20I against Nepal in Kirtipur.
Waseem himself was given out lbw first ball of the match and immediately expressed his displeasure with the decision, indicating the ball was swinging down the leg side. He made the said statement at the presentation ceremony after UAE lost by eight wickets.
It was his first offence in a 24-month period. He was found guilty of a Level 1 breach pertaining to Article 2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct. 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.
On-field umpires Buddhi Pradhan and Vinay Kumar, third umpire Durga Subedi, and fourth umpire Sanjay Sigdel levelled the charge against the UAE skipper.
Waseem admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Wendell Labrooy, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
[Cricinfo]
Iran says ‘fully prepared’ for football team’s World Cup participation
LA 2028 Olympic cricket stadium in IPL proposal
Oil rises above $106 per barrel as US, Iran deadlocked in Strait of Hormuz
UAE captain Waseem fined and handed demerit point for criticising umpiring
Shanto century, Mustafizur five-for seals series win for Bangladesh
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News4 days agoRs 13 bn NDB fraud: Int’l forensic audit ordered
-
Business7 days agoHarnessing nature’s wisdom: Experts highlight “Resist–Align” path to resilience
-
Opinion5 days agoShutting roof top solar panels – a crime
-
News7 days agoGratiaen Trust announces longlist for the 33rd Annual Gratiaen Prize
-
News6 days agoFrom Nuwara Eliya to Dubai: Isha Holdings markets Agri products abroad
-
News2 days agoLanka faces crisis of conscience over fate of animals: Call for compassion, law reform, and ethical responsibility
-
News18 hours agoNo cyber hack: Fintech expert exposes shocking legacy flaws that led to $2.5 million theft
-
News5 days agoChurch calls for Deputy Defence Minister’s removal, establishment of Independent Prosecutor’s Office