After 1408 runs and 28 wickets, and even some rain delays over five days, the result that had long been telegraphed finally came to pass as Sri Lanka and West Indies played out a draw in the second and final Test in North Sound. The stalemate means it was a first Test series victory in 11 attempts for West Indies, their last coming in 2023 and for their last home Test series win you would have to go back to June 2022.

And it was perhaps the significance – and rarity – of this achievement that informed the hosts’ approach over the course of this Test, which is also the first in 2026 to end in a draw. Following Sri Lanka’s imposing first-innings effort, West Indies’ response – on a good batting surface – never really appeared to be in search of a victory.

Set a target of 302, John Campbell and Brandon King never threatened to take it on, but even so both scoring fifties – Campbell for the second time this Test – will have given the pair and the West Indian dressing room cause for optimism after their recent batting travails in the longest format.

Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties  after a goalless draw to set up a quarterfinal with defending champions Argentina.

The two teams cancelled each other out on Tuesday in the final game of the last 16 – the last match to be played at the 2026 tournament outside the United States.

Both teams missed spot-kicks before Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel brilliantly saved Cucho Hernandez’s effort and Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty.

Colombia, once again backed by thousands of passionate fans in Vancouver, had conceded just once in their four games before Tuesday’s match and the Swiss had also proved difficult to break down.

The first action of note came in the 21st minute when Kobel was forced into a flying save to keep out Gustavo Puerta’s curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The Swiss stepped up a gear immediately after the first hydration break, with Camilo Vargas beating away a shot from Fabian Rieder before denying Dan Ndoye.

But the match was goalless at half-time, with two well-matched teams struggling for inspiration.

Switzerland started the second half on the front foot, but Colombia also had their moments, with Luis Suarez lashing wastefully wide.

Both coaches made multiple changes in the second half but again struggled to create meaningful openings, with Colombia’s star winger Luis Diaz kept quiet.

Ndoye flashed a shot across goal in stoppage time, but nobody was able to get on the end of it, and the match was 0-0 at the end of normal time.

The game belatedly burst into life in the first period of extra time.

Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi headed against the bar from a corner in the ninth minute, and Kobel kept out a fierce effort from Jaminton Campaz as the South Americans upped the tempo.

At the other end, Vargas dived to his left to beat away an effort from substitute Zeki Amdouni.

Campaz missed a glorious chance to win the game with five minutes of time left on the clock.

With nothing to separate the teams, the game went to penalties.

Switzerland will face Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday after Lionel Messi’s team earlier beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta.

Switzerland last reached the quarterfinals when they hosted the World Cup in 1954.

(Aljazeera)

Royal College registered a convincing 59-run victory over hosts Revatha College, Balapitiya in their Under-17 Division I Group ‘A’ encounter at the Teacher Training College Ground, Balapitiya on Tuesday.

‎Batting first Royal were bowled out for 176 in 45.1 overs. Middle-order batter Chanithu Kankanamge top-scored with a valuable 40 off 48 balls, striking three fours and three sixes. Manuth Dasanayake contributed 27, while Javeeth Perera added 24 and Mudith Gunasekara chipped in with 23 to help Royal recover from regular setbacks.

‎For Revatha College, Malith Malshan was the standout bowler with 3 for 30, while Yumeth Perera and Yathisha Kaveesh claimed two wickets apiece.

‎In reply, Revatha were dismissed for 117 in 31.2 overs despite Yasiru Nimsara making a fighting 31.

‎Royal bowlers dominated, with Nithesh Jayasinghe producing an excellent spell to claim 4 for 15 and Dushen Udawela picked up 3 for 16. They were well supported by Gagan Gamage, Chanithu Kankanamge, and Sandul Abeywardena, who picked up one wicket each to seal a convincing victory.

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‎Sisal Hemaka stars as St. Anthony’s

cruise to victory

‎St. Anthony’s College, Kandy registered a commanding eight-wicket victory over St. Mary’s College, Chilaw in their tournament match played at Chilaw.

‎St. Mary’s were bundled out for just 88 in 32.1 overs despite Nadun Shainika’s top score of 21. Sisal Hemaka produced the standout bowling performance with an impressive five-wicket haul (5.1-2-14-5), while Adeesha Rathnayaka claimed two wickets.

‎St. Anthony’s comfortably chased down the target in 19.4 overs. Usula Dissanayake remained unbeaten on 33, while Yenula Hewavitharana blasted 28 off 16 deliveries to seal an emphatic win.

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‎Petes pull off five runs win

‎St. Peter’s College, Colombo pulled off five runs win over Holy Cross College, Kalutara, in a thrilling encounter at Bambalapitiya.

‎Batting first, St. Peter’s were bowled out for 193 in 48.3 overs. Sashidu Silva anchored the innings with a patient 59 off 122 balls, while Menura Dissanayake provided the momentum with an entertaining 37 off 37 deliveries that included five fours and a six. Kenuja Rupasinghe starred with the ball for Holy Cross, claiming an impressive 3 for 17.

‎In reply, Holy Cross fought bravely but were dismissed for 188 in 49.4 overs. Raveesh Nishil Ralintha and Matheesha Nethsara top-scored with 41 runs each, while Chathusha Nimthera contributed a brisk 30.

‎Renish Anthony produced the best spell of 2 for 23 while Diyon Alwis, Lesan Perera, Vishesh Dias and Sashidu Silva claimed one wicket apiece as St. Peter’s held their nerve in the closing stages to seal a narrow five-run victory.

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‎Dharmapala stun Gurukula‎

‎Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya registered a comfortable six-wicket victory over Gurukula College, Kelaniya in their match played at Pannipitiya.

‎Batting first Gurukula were bowled out for 158 in 45 overs despite a fighting unbeaten 53 from Imastha Adeesha, who struck six fours and two sixes in his 85-ball knock. Binew Chanthula contributed 24, while the rest of the batting line-up struggled against a disciplined Dharmapala attack. Viruna Wathmira starred with the ball, claiming an impressive 4 for 34, while Dinura Nethvindu and Vethum Sasath chipped in with two wickets apiece.

‎In reply, Dharmapala chased down the target with ease, reaching 160 for 4 in 32.3 overs. Sithika Katugampola blasted 45 off 41 balls, including five fours and three sixes, while Nimnath Vinsara struck 44 and Viruna Wathmira added 29 to ensure a smooth chase. Sahas Induwara claimed two wickets for Gurukula, but Dharmapala sealed victory with many overs to spare. (RF)