Sports

First Test evenly posed after Babar hundred

Published

4 years ago

2022/07/18

Rex Clementine in Galle

Pakistan captain Babar Azam proved why he is rated as one of the modern day greats with a back to the wall century that helped Pakistan dig themselves out of trouble in the first Test against Sri Lanka. At 148 for nine, the writing was on the wall for Pakistan as they were set to concede a huge lead on a turning track. But a record partnership for the last wicket between Babar with Naseem Shah put them back on track and ended up conceding just a four run first innings deficit.

The 70 run stand between Babar and Naseem is a new record in Galle in Test match cricket with the previous best being the 63 run partnership between Dimuth Karunaratne and Lakshan Sandman against South Africa in 2018.Sri Lanka were 36 for one at stumps on day two enjoying a lead of 40 runs. Oshada Fernando was unbeaten on 17 while night-watchman Kasun Rajitha was on 3.Pakistan were struggling in their reply after Sri Lanka had posted 222 in their first innings and then Babar played a captain’s knock.

On a track where most Pakistani batsmen struggled to play spin, Babar was solid. Often playing on the front foot with soft hands negating the turn, he left well and cashed in when there were opportunities to score.The last wicket partnership lasted for more than two hours and frustrated the Sri Lankans, who had to take the second new ball to break the stand. By that time Babar, who was playing his first Test match in Sri Lanka had posted his seventh hundred. His knock lasted for more than five hours in which he faced 244 deliveries, hit 11 fours and two sixes.

Babar also farmed the strike from number 11 Naseem Shah as he contributed only five runs. It was a remarkable effort by the 27-year-old as the next best score in the innings was 19.Prabath Jayasuriya, meanwhile, continued his impressive run in test cricket. Playing his second test match, the left-arm spinner claimed his third five wicket haul to finish with five for 82. He had been sidelined due to fitness issues and was picked to make his Test debut in the second Test against Australia after the Sri Lankan camp was hit by COVID. He claimed 12 for 177 last week, the best figures by a Sri Lankan on debut.

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Sports

Dinsara anchors SL Under 19s to post 267

Published

41 mins ago

2026/01/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

ICC Youth World Cup

After in-form openers were dismissed cheaply skipper Vimath Dinsara held the middle order together with a top score of 95 runs for Sri Lanka Under 19 to post 267 for five wickets against Ireland in their Group A Youth World Cup encounter at Windhoek on Monday.

‎Ireland’s new ball bowlers dismissed Dimantha Mahavithana and Viran Chamuditha for one digit scores after Sri Lanka decided to bat first. The Sri Lankan openers had posted a record breaking first wicket stand against Japan in their first World Cup encounter at the same venue two days earlier.

‎Sri Lanka were 59 for three wickets when Royal College batsman Dinsara joined Kavija Gamage to steady the innings with a stand of 80 runs. While Kingswood batsman made 49 before being run out, Dinsara went on to add another hundred runs partnership with Mahanama batsman Chamika Heenatigala.

‎Dinsara was dismissed five runs short of the three figure mark in the 46th over.

‎Heenatigala remained unbeaten to post 51 in 53 balls.

‎Dinsara’s knock which came in 102 balls included six fours and a six.

‎For Ireland Oliver Riley took two wickets.

Sports

Finalists found in Under 16 singles

Published

43 mins ago

2026/01/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

SSC Open Tennis Championship 2026

Ashlin de Silva is set to meet Mayooran Kubherane and Navya Banagala will encounter Sahansa Damsiluni in the boys and girls singles finals as they won their respective semi finals of the SSC Open Tennis Championship continued in Colombo on Monday.

‎In the boys’ semi finals Ashlin de Silva beat Dehan Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-3 and

‎Mayooran Kubehrane beat Nevan Kannangara 6-1, 6-7 and 6-4.

‎Girls semi finals saw Sahansa Damsiluni beat Jenifa Mercy 6-1, 6-2 and Banagala recording 7-6, 6-3 win against Sheshandri Fernando.

Sports

Big partnerships highlight day one

Published

44 mins ago

2026/01/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

Under 19 Division I Cricket

Two big partnerships and a six wicket haul were the most impressive performances on day one of the Under 19 Division I Tier A and Tier B matches which commenced on Monday.

‎‎Tier A

‎Maris Stella College Negombo

amassed 391 for nine wickets against S. Thimas’ Mount Lavinia and the highlight was the 121 runs stand for the seventh wicket between Ameesha Fernando (121 in 94 balls) and Dasun Nethsara. Ameesha hammered nine fours and seven sixes in the match started at Negombo.

‎Tier B

‎‎Open batsmen Mario Fernando (102) and Tehan Bitar (152n.o. in 226 balls) put on a partnership of 181 runs for St. Benedict’s to score 358 for five wickets declared against Dharmaraja in their Tier B match in Kandy.

‎At BRC ground, Isipatana had a slight edge as they reached 168 for eight wickets at stumps after left armer Menula Sadev took six wickets to bowl out Wesley for 150 runs.

‎At Ananda Mawatha, half centuries by Shanon Silva (84 in a total of 202) for De Mazenod and Kithma Widanapathirana (63n.o.) and Danindu Sellapperuma (54 for Ananda (168/3) were the highlights.

‎At Katuneriya, Maheesha Sithum took five wickets for St. Sebastians‘ to restrict Sri Sumangala Panadura to 212 for nine wickets. (RF)