Four venues in Bangladesh and Nepal  will host the 2027 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which is set to run from January 21 to February 6. Chattogram, Sylhet, Kirtipur and Mulpani are the four venues, with Chattogram set to host the two semi-finals on February 4 as well as the final on February 6.

The 16-team event will feature four groups of four teams each, with the group stage set to be followed by a two-group Super Six stage, and then the semi-finals and final.

This is the third edition of the tournament, with India having won the first two back-to-back in 2023 and 2025. The defending champions have been drawn in group A alongside Ireland, West Indies and Nepal.  Group B has 2025 runners-up South Africa  as well as New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa.

Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and UAE make up Group C, while England, Sri Lanka, USA and Scotland have been drawn in Group D.

The tournament will kick off with four matches on January 21, with Sylhet hosting Bangladesh vs UAE and Australia vs Nigeria, and Mulpani hosting Sri Lanka vs Scotland and England vs USA. The other two venues and other eight teams will be involved on January 22: New Zealand vs Samoa and South Africa vs Pakistan in Chattogram, and Nepal vs Ireland and India vs West Indies in Kirtipur.

All 41 games of the tournament will be played during the day. Morning matches will begin at 9.30am local time, and afternoon games at 1.30pm local time.

“The ICC U19 World Cup is the stage that showcases the future of our sport and serves as the ultimate platform for young players to make the leap towards elite careers representing their countries,” ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said. “These future stars representing 16 teams will garner the world’s attention and become relatable role models for many young girls playing the sport, serving inspiration for their continued cricket journeys.

“The choice of our hosts – Bangladesh and Nepal – is also reflective of the ICC’s belief and investment in the future of the cricket ecosystem. With deep passion for cricket and nearly 40% of the two countries’ populations below the age of 20, they serve as the ideal hosts for one of the world’s biggest youth sporting events.”

(Cricinfo)

Hurdler Kaveesha Dilshan of Kularathna MV, Godakawela and sprinter Risansa Hirupama of Lyceum International, Wattala were named best athletes for their outstanding performances at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships, which concluded at Diyagama on Tuesday.

‎Dilshan earned the title with a 14.02-second run in the Under 20 boys’ 110m hurdles. Kishal Oshada, the best athlete in the Under 18 category, also comes from his school. Both hurdlers are trained by Thiron Gamage, and both outclassed their opponents in the sprint hurdles.

‎Hirupama excelled in the Under 20 girls’ 200m. Her time of 24.23 seconds earned the highest score in the girls’ events (1,026 points).

‎St. Joseph Vaz’s College, Wennappuwa, and Lyceum International, Wattala, claimed the overall boys’ and girls’ championships respectively.

Kaveesha Dilshan and sprinter Risansa Hirupama with
their best athlete awards. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi

‎St. Joseph Vaz’s amassed 118 points to finish ahead of Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa (95). Rahula College, Matara, took third place with 82 points. Former track and field powerhouses St. Benedict’s, Kotahena (54), and Maris Stella, Negombo (54), missed out on the top three.

‎Lyceum dominated the girls’ category with 215 points. Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya (70), and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo (62), finished second and third respectively.

‎For the first time in more than two decades, Ratnayake Central were not among the leading teams in the girls’ category. Most of their athletes struggled after an outbreak of flu, but late performances over the last two days helped them secure fourth place. (RF)

Mahanma College, Colombo and Nalanda College Colombo registeted convincing victories in the quarter finals while dark horses Wesley ended Richmond’s unbeaten run with a win according to the DLS method to seal the semi-final spots of the Under 19 Division I Tier A tournament on Tuesday.

‎Mahanama rattled St. Joseph’s for meagre 84 runs before cruising to a seven-wicket win at Mattegoda. Kaushika Thilakarathne and Sanuka Ganepola shared seven wickets between them to trouble the Joes.

‎Thilakarathne spearheaded the bowling attack, claiming four wickets for 13 runs in nine overs, while Sanuka Ganepola supported him with an impressive spell of three for nine in nine overs. Sanul Weerarathne captured two wickets for 12 runs.

‎Mahanama reached 85 for three wickets as Sineth Veerarathne top scored with 52 runs (53 balls).

‎Nalanda College defeated St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota by 77 runs at Campbell Place.

‎Nalanda posted a competitive 234 for six in their allotted 50 overs, with Ranmith Senarath top-scoring with 52 off 79 balls. Nemindu Akmeemana contributed 47, while Lithum Wijekumara made 32. Mihin Zoysa added 29 before Santhul Wijeyarathne provided a late boost with an unbeaten 30 off just 13 deliveries.

‎In their essay St. Anthony’s were dismissed for 157 in 44 overs. Sadew Amarakoon fought hard with 47 off 94 balls, while Kaushika Kumarasinghe scored 38 off 41 deliveries. However, Nalanda’s bowlers maintained control, with Rusandu Silva taking four wickets for 22 runs. Osanda Pamuditha supported him with two wickets for 22 runs to seal a convincing victory for the hosts.

‎After posting 141 for six in 30 overs, Wesley did well to restrict Richmond to 109 for eight in 23 overs to stay ahead according to DLS method at Weeraketiya.

‎Adhyaan Zain and Senura Lakshan bowled controlled spells taking three wickets each to seal the semi-final place. Wesley are set to meet Nalanda in the semis. (RF)