Sports
India favourites, but don’t count out Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
The Asia Cup has become essential in women’s cricket.Yes, there is no Naagin dance. The India-Pakistan rivalry is not feisty here. India have been the powerhouse, winning three out of four T20 versions and all four 50-over editions.
From the lens of the bigger teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – the tournament is an opportunity to rectify their past errors, zero in on the right combination, shake off some rustiness, and finalise the squad before the T20 World Cup in October. But when the lens is tilted a bit, the tournament’s higher purpose has been to give exposure and structure to associate teams – UAE, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal – that do not play against the top-ranked sides often.
A lot has changed in the last two decades since the tournament’s inception, and with that, its purpose too.
Twenty years ago, only India and Sri Lanka took part and played five ODIs against each other to decide the winner. In 2005-06, Karachi hosted the event and Pakistan made their maiden appearance. The fourth edition, in 2008, saw Bangladesh as a new entrant.
Four years later, it was decided that the Asia Cup would be conducted in the T20 format, serving as a preparatory tournament for the women’s T20 World Cup. In 2012, the tournament also grew bigger as an eight-team event and welcomed Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Nepal for the first time, in Guangzhou. It was all India winning the tournament till 2016 before Bangladesh shocked the then six-time champions for a maiden title in the 2018 event in Malaysia.
Returning after the pandemic break, the 2022 edition witnessed seven teams vying for the trophy. One of the highlights from the last edition was Thailand pulling off a stunning upset win over Pakistan.
This year, the event has expanded to eight teams.
The route to the Asia Cup 2024 was not easy either – 16 Associate teams fought in the ACC Premier Cup for four spots and Thailand, Malaysia, UAE and Nepal – the four semi-finalists – advanced to the main draw of the Asia Cup. Over the years, the likes of Thailand and Malaysia have taken strides in women’s cricket while UAE, too, have shown a glimpse into their future, first clinching the Premier Cup in February and then coming close to beating Sri Lanka in the World Cup Qualifier.
When the tournament kicks off in Sri Lanka today , India once again begin as favourites. But irrespective of results, the Asia Cup offers hope for women’s cricket, especially the Associate sides, who try and inspire others.
India are coming into the tournament on the back of a drawn 1-1 T20I series against South Africa at home and a 5-0 win against Bangladesh in Sylhet. The two series have given the defending champions several positives: their vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is in excellent form, their spin department looks sorted and Pooja Vastrakar has stepped up as the pace-bowling mainstay.
Pakistan, their opponent on July 19, have not had a consistent run since Nida Dar took over the captaincy after Bismah Mahroof quit the role in 2023. Of the 19 T20Is played since April 2023, they have won only seven. They completed their first T20I series sweep against South Africa last September but lost 2-1 to Bangladesh next. Pakistan toured New Zealand in December and beat them 2-1. However, they have lost seven of eight matches this year, which includes a 4-1 defeat to West Indies in Karachi and a 0-3 loss in England. This is largely due to their struggles with the bat. They bank heavily on Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali – their top two run-getters this year – to do the bulk of damage.
Like Pakistan, Bangladesh have also found the going tough with the bat. Nigar Sultana, their captain, holds the side together on the field and with the willow. That only Dilara Akter in the top six has a strike rate over 100 this year also suggests of their slow batting approach. In helpful conditions, Bangladesh’s spinners are capable of exerting pressure. Bringing back the experienced pair of allrounder Rumana Ahmed and fast bowler Jahanara Alam after more than a year provides them with some hope, having lost all eight matches this year.
That apart, hosts Sri Lanka also head into the tournament as a strong contender. They have won nine of their 12 matches this year and no longer just depend on captain Chamari Athapaththu to deliver. There have been handy contributions from Vishmi Gunaratne, the second-highest run-getter for Sri Lanka this year with 324 runs in 12 innings. The team has also benefitted from Kavisha Dilhari’s all-round ability – she has 145 runs at a strike rate of 136.79 and 12 wickets from 11 matches with her offbreaks.
(Cricinfo)
The 104th National Athletics Championship got off to an impressive start at the Diyagama Stadium, with Rasara Wijesuriya and Arunthavarasa Puvitharan producing record-breaking performances on an action-packed opening day.
Rasara dominated the women’s 10,000m to win the gold medal in 33:32.77 seconds, setting a new meet record in the process. G. W. O. N. Fonseka finished second in 38:25.55, while H. I. S. Fernando took the bronze in 39:00.69.
Puvitharan provided another record-breaking highlight in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.10m to establish a new meet record. H. S. Eranga Janith followed with 5.00m for silver, while M. H. I. Sandaruwan secured bronze with 4.90m.
The men’s 10,000m produced a closely contested battle, with M. Kobinathan claiming the national title in 30:58.50. M. S. A. Fernando was second in 31:10.08, while D. P. S. S. Senanayaka completed the podium in 31:22.72.
As expected Madushani Herath secured the women’s triple jump title with a best effort of 13.60m, finishing ahead of I. S. W. Arachchi, who recorded 13.13m. G. I. S. Lankathilaka took third with 13.00m.
In the men’s shot put, Suseenthirakumar Mithunraj produced a winning throw of 16.41m to take gold. W. J. R. Alwis was second with 14.91m, while R. S. Jayawardana secured bronze with 14.47m.
Ovini Chandrasekara completed the women’s shot put podium-topping performance, winning gold with a throw of 12.82m. V. D. V. Gimhani took silver with 12.29m and A. D. W. Mendis won bronze with 11.84m.
With two new meet records already providing the opening-day highlights in thr morning, the championship has begun on a high note, setting the stage for further strong performances as Sri Lanka’s leading athletes battle for national honours.
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.
Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.
Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.
Asalanka returned to the leadership group three months after being deposed as ODI captain and six months after being sidelined from the T20I unit. He last played a T20I in February this year, but is currently part of St Lucia Kings’ line-up at CPL 2026. His returns have been mediocre, though: 93 runs at a strike rate of 124 from six innings.
The T20Is will be played on September 15 (Southampton), September 17 (Cardiff) and September 19 (Manchester), while the ODIs will take place on September 22 (Chester-le-Street), September 24 (Leeds) and September 27 (The Oval).
Sri Lanka T20I squad for the tour of England
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka
(Cricinfo)
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England, with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.
Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.
Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.
(Cricinfo)
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