Latest News
Ireland on top despite Zia-ur-Rehman’s heroics
Zia-ur-Rehman bagged a five-wicket haul but the advantage was still with Ireland at the end of Day 2 of the one-off Test at Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi. Ireland finished with a first-innings total of 263, thanks to Paul Stirling’s half-century and useful contributions from the lower order, to take a handy 108-run lead. Afghanistan came up with a better batting effort in their second essay as they ended the day at 134/3, leading by 26 runs.
Ireland began the second day’s play at 100/4, having bowled Afghanistan out for 155 on the opening day. They were put under more pressure when Naveed Zadran dismissed Harry Tector for 32 early in the day. Stirling was on 8 at that stage and he went on to make 52, which included eight fours. He received good support from Lorcan Tucker as they added 80 for the sixth wicket, spending more than 22 overs at the crease.
The partnership finally came to an end on the brink of Lunch when Stirling was bowled by Zahir Khan, with the ball spinning away from him to strike the stumps. Ireland’s lower order came up with stubborn stands to frustrate Afghanistan after the break. Tucker and Andy McBrine added 30 before the former fell four short of a half-century, becoming Zia’s third scalp. Zia also picked up the wickets of Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy to bag a fifer in his maiden Test. Andy McBrine was the last to depart after scoring 38 as Ireland finished with a 100-plus lead.
Mark Adair, Ireland’s star with the ball in the first innings, got an early breakthrough in the second innings as he ended Ibrahim Zadran’s stay and also picked up the wicket of Rahmat Shah to leave Afghanistan struggling at 38/2. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Noor Ali Zadran led the recovery with a 55-run partnership before the latter fell to McCarthy on 32.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz launched a counterattack, striking sixes off McBrine and McCarthy while Shahidi registered a patient fifty. Both batters were unbeaten at Stumps, having extended their partnership to 41, and will be the key on Day 3 as Afghanistan look to give Ireland a challenging target.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 155 & 134/3 in 37 overs ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 53*, Noor Ali Zadran 32, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 23*; Mark Adair 2-23) lead Ireland 263 in 83.4 overs (Paul Stirling 52, Lorcan Tucker 46, Curtis Campher 49,Harry Tector 32, Andy McBrine 38 ; Zia-ur-Rehman 5-64, Naveed Zadran 3-59) ,by 26 runs.
Latest News
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
The Ministry of Education has announced that the .postponed subjects of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be conducted from 12 – 20 January 2026,
The Situation Report issued by the Disaster Management Center at 06:00 AM today [09th December] confirms that 635 persons have died due to floods and landslides that took place in the country within the past two weeks. The number of persons that are missing is 192.
Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will resume on 12th January 2026
The aim of the Government is to ensure a safe life for every citizen -President
A wage for housework? India’s sweeping experiment in paying women
‘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
-
News7 days ago
Lunuwila tragedy not caused by those videoing Bell 212: SLAF
-
News2 days agoOver 35,000 drug offenders nabbed in 36 days
-
News6 days agoLevel III landslide early warning continue to be in force in the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale
-
Business4 days agoLOLC Finance Factoring powers business growth
-
News4 days agoCPC delegation meets JVP for talks on disaster response
-
News4 days agoA 6th Year Accolade: The Eternal Opulence of My Fair Lady
-
News2 days agoRising water level in Malwathu Oya triggers alert in Thanthirimale
-
Midweek Review7 days agoHouse erupts over Met Chief’s 12 Nov unheeded warning about cyclone Ditwah