Rex Clementine in Abu Dhabi

Just 24 hours after wrapping up a bilateral series against New Zealand, several Sri Lankan cricketers landed in Abu Dhabi to showcase their firepower in the T10 League. As the two-week tournament unfolds, hard-hitting stars Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka have delivered standout performances in the opening days, proving why they are among the most exciting players in this format.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, turning out for the Chennai Braves, set the stage ablaze with a whirlwind 41 off just 21 balls, studded with five fours and two towering sixes. Once again, Rajapaksa underscored his reputation as a game-changer in the shortest format.

The Chennai Braves boast a strong Sri Lankan contingent, with six players donning their colours. The team is led by veteran Thisara Perera and features Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Thushara, Mohammad Shamaz, and Garuka Sanketh, alongside Rajapaksa.

Among the newcomers, Mohammad Shamaz, a 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Zahira College, Colombo, has shown promise, while 19-year-old speedster Garuka Sanketh, a key player in Sri Lanka’s ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign earlier this year, is making strides in the big league.

Chaminda Vaas is the Head Coach of Chennai Braves.

Meanwhile, Shevon Daniel, opening for the Ajman Bolts alongside Alex Hales, brought fireworks with a blazing 22 off just 10 balls before his team faltered after his dismissal.

The Ajman Bolts also feature Dunith Wellalage and Shehan Jayasuriya, though neither was called upon to bowl in their recent clash against Team Abu Dhabi.

Elsewhere, the Samp Army has tapped into Sri Lanka’s white-ball cricketing talent by roping in skipper Charith Asalanka. Supporting him are Muditha Lakshan, Malsha Tharupathi, Duminda Sewmina, and Ravindu Ratnayake, adding significant depth to the squad.

Dasun Shanaka, donning the Bangla Tigers jersey, has turned heads with a new role at number three. In their match against Samp Army, Shanaka hammered an unbeaten 62 off just 27 balls, peppering the boundary with four fours and six sixes in a stunning display of power hitting.

Over at the New York Strikers, Kusal Perera and Matheesha Pathirana have emerged as a formidable duo.

Pathirana has been a marquee attraction in the league. Speaking about the upcoming T10 league set to debut in Kandy next month, Pathirana expressed his excitement.

“We’re launching our very own T10 league in Kandy, and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be an exciting competition, and fans will love it,” Pathirana shared.

“This is the first league tournament I played in, and I’m thrilled to return. These tournaments offer invaluable international exposure, letting us compete against top-tier players and adapt to varied conditions.”As the Abu Dhabi T10 League progresses, the Sri Lankan contingent continues to impress, blending youth with experience and setting the stage for more thrilling performances ahead.

Under 19 Cricket

by Reemus FeRnando

After being bowled out for 147 runs Mahanama fought back to restrict S. Thomas’ to the same score to record a first innings tie in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament match at Mount Lavinia on Sunday. Geeth Sandaruwan led the way with a four-wicket haul while Anuka Wijewardana and Chamika Heenatigala took two wickets each.

Sachithra Gunasinghe’s 30 was the top score for Thomians as the home team batted for 84 overs.In the batting department, Chamika Heenatigala stood out with back-to-back half centuries. In their second essay, Mahanama were 157 for six wickets at close with Heenatigala unbeaten on 51 runs.

Scores:

Mahanama 147 all out in 53 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 55, Osanda Muthugama 26, Venura Kaveethra 23; Dineth Goonewardana 5/40, Abeeth Paranawidana 2/32) and 157 for 6 in 36 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 51n.o.,Eshan Withanage 37; Abeeth Paranawidana 3/44, Aaron de Silva 3/51) Thomas 72 for 5 overnight 147 all out in 84.2 overs (Sachithra Gunasinghe 30; Geeth Sandaruwan 4/19, Anuka
Wijewardana 2/33, Chamika Heenatigala 2/39)

Nearly 1300 shuttlers will vie for honours at the 72nd National Badminton Championship, set to be worked off between December 1 to 8 at three key venues in Colombo. Organised and conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), the country’s premier domestic badminton event will take place at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Indoor Courts, the Otter Aquatic Club Courts and at the SLB Indoor Courts at Maitland Place, where shuttlers in contention will compete under different categories.

The SLB officials stated that they were overwhelmed by the extraordinary enthusiasm among local shuttlers after the number of entries reached 1254, surpassing last year’s total number of 1140, by the time entries were closed on November 19th. The record number of entries will prompt the SLB officials to assign nearly 60 officials for the eight-day competition, where Buwaneka Goonethilleke and Ranithma Liyanage are expected to defend their men’s and women’s singles titles.

The championships will feature a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, as well as the Combined age category of 100+, 110+ and 120+. However, the Open events comprising Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, will take centre stage at this grand annual event.

The opening ceremony will take place on December 1st, and will be followed by the preliminary rounds, leading up to the climax on December 6 with the Round of 16 and quarter-finals.

The excitement will continue on December 7, with the highly anticipated semi-finals and additional quarter-final and final matches. The grand finale is set for December 8, where all the selected finals will be held, concluding with the Closing Ceremony to mark the culmination of this prestigious badminton championship.

At the last National Badminton Championship, Buwaneka Goonathilleke clinched a triple crown, winning the Open Men’s Singles, Open Men’s Doubles, partnered with the losing finalist Viren Nettasinghe, and the Open Mixed Doubles, partnered with Natasha Gunasekara. Top seeded shuttler Ranithma Liyanage, who bagged the Women’s Singles silver medal at last week’s Bahrain International Series 2024, won the Open Women’s Singles last season, in addition to winning the Under-19 Girls’ Singles title. Jananuwani Amanda de Alvis and Hasara Wijerathne are the defending champions in the Open Women’s Doubles.

A grand prize money of Rs.2 million for all events based on the number of entries will be on offer, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates guaranteed for winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament. Junior winners will receive appropriate gifts instead of prize money, according to the decision taken by the tournament organisers. The country’s elite domestic badminton event, conducted in accordance to BWF regulations, is sponsored by Li Ning, McFoil, 3M, GAC and Mobil.