The much-anticipated Champions Trophy match between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi was washed out without even a toss, never mind a ball being bowled, after persistent drizzle. The match was called off at 5.10pm local time, three hours and 10 minutes after the scheduled start of play at 2pm and two hours and 22 minutes before the cut off time for a 20-over game, 7.32pm, local time. This was due to be the teams’ first meeting at a Champions Trophy.

The result means if Australia and South Africa win their final group matches, against Afghanistan and England respectively, they will progress to the semi-finals. Tomorrow’s match between England and Afghanistan is a knockout, with the loser certain of exiting the competition. The winner will have to beat their next opposition to make it through to the semis. As a result, one of the matches between Australia and Afghanistan on Friday and South Africa and England on Saturday could be virtual quarter-finals. Both England and Afghanistan have to win both their matches to qualify for the final four.

With no XIs named for this encounter, South Africa kept their cards close to their chest on Heinrich Klaasen’s availability. He missed their opening match against Afghanistan with an elbow injury and now has three more days to recover before the game against England on Saturday.

This was due to be the first meeting between Australia and South Africa since the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final, which Australia won and means that they continue to have the advantage over South Africa in ICC events. In nine matches, Australia have won four, South Africa three, there was a tie at the 1999 World Cup and now, their first washout. If the two sides are to meet again at this event, it will have to be in the final.

[Cricinfo]

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to extend the operational time of the Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project until 05-06-2027.

[The Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project is the main unit that connects the Sri Lankan government and the CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd for project supervision, resolution of issues, and coordination of utility services. It is expected to complete the functions that were planned under the second (2nd) stage of this project at the end of June 2027. Therefore, it has been identified that the supervision and coordination activities conducted by the Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project should be further continued.]

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution submitted by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to direct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill to amend the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act No. 33 of 2013.

The Sri Lanka Anti Doping Agency (SLADA) is an institution operating based on laws and regulations of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), and SLADA has to adhere to its laws and regulations to enable Sri Lankan athletes to take part in international sports events.

The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA), from time to time review the anti doping law of each country and recommend suitable amendments. The international provisions existed in the year 2013 had been considered when the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act No. 33 of 2013 was formulated. The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) has recommended a number of amendments to be made after reviewing the anti doping law of Sri Lanka for the year 2024.