Sports
Nissanka becomes first Sri Lankan to post double hundred in ODIs
There were remarkable scenes at Pallekele on Friday evening as Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score a double hundred in ODI cricket. The opening batsman carried his bat through and was unbeaten on 210 as Sri Lanka scored a massive 381 for three in the first ODI against Afghanistan on Friday.
In the process, Nissanka broke Sanath Jayasuriya’s long standing record for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan. Jayasuriya had smashed 189 against India in Sharjah in 2000. The record had stood for 24 years.
Nissanka, playing his first ODI since the World Cup, was unstoppable. He brought up his half-century in just 31 balls and raced to his fourth ODI hundred in 88 balls.
The 25-year-old then went past his career best score of 137, made against Australia in 2022 at RPS.
Once he reached 150, Jayasuriya’s record was within reach and he didn’t throw away the opportunity. There was muted celebrations after he went past Jayasuriya suggesting that he wasn’t aware of the record.
Once he reached the double hundred with a boundary off Fareed Ahmad, non-striker Charith Asalanka lifted his Under-19 team mate up and the small crowd at Pallekele were celebrating the moment.
Nissanka finished unbeaten on 210 and his knock required only 139 balls. He hit 20 fours and eight sixes.The knocked helped Sri Lanka to post 381 for three, their fourth highest score in ODI cricket and the highest at Pallekele.
Nissanka was involved in a 182-run stand for the first wicket with Avishka Fernando in 160 balls. A hundred was there for taking for Fernando but he threw his wicket away.
Kusal Mendis failed to make a big impact but Sadeera Samarawickrama ensured that Sri Lanka didn’t spoil the good start. He posted 45 and added 120 runs for the third wicket with Nissanka.
Nissanka is thought to be more of a Test match player but on Friday he showed the other side of himself smashing bowlers to all parts of the park in an exhibition of brilliant
shot making as Sri Lanka looked set to take an early lead in the series.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 381 for three, 50 overs (P. Nissanka 211 not out, A. Fernando 88, S. Samarawickrama 45, Fareed Ahmad 2-80) vs Afghanistan
The annual rugby encounter between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, played for the William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy, is set to take place today (July 11, 2026), at 4:00 PM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.
The official unveiling of the trophy took place this week at the Dharmaraja College premises with the participation of the Principals of the two schools, teachers-in-charge of sports, coaches, the Rugby teams, and several distinguished guests, including Dharmaraja College Old Boys’ Association President Mahesh Wijetunga, Kingswood College Old Boys’ Association President Muditha Abeykoon,
Text and Pic by SK Samaranayake
The annual rugby encounter between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, played for the William Weerasinghe Memorial Trophy, is set to take place tomorrow (July 11, 2026), at 4:00 PM at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.
The official unveiling of the trophy took place this week at the Dharmaraja College premises with the participation of the Principals of the two schools, teachers-in-charge of sports, coaches, the Rugby teams, and several distinguished guests, including Dharmaraja College Old Boys’ Association President Mahesh Wijetunga, Kingswood College Old Boys’ Association President Muditha Abeykoon,
by S K SAMARANAYAKE
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele were on target as France surged past Morocco 2-0 to book their place in the World Cup semifinals.
Mbappe curled in his eighth goal of the tournament on 60 minutes on Thursday before Dembele doubled Les Bleus’ lead six minutes later to settle a clinical victory at the Gillette Stadium outside Boston.
The win sends the 2018 champions into a last-four showdown against either Spain or Belgium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday.
African champions Morocco had been tipped to pose a serious threat to France’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.
But Didier Deschamps’ men were always in control against a limited Morocco side who failed to register a single shot on goal until an 83rd-minute free-kick by Azzedine Ounahi was parried away by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
France, though, struggled to find a breakthrough, and missed the opportunity to take the lead on 28 minutes when Mbappe saw a penalty saved by Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Mbappe had won the penalty after being brought down by Noussair Mazraoui but was forced to wait several minutes before being allowed to take the kick after a protracted VAR check.
Morocco managed to hold out to half-time, but it was always only a matter of time before France’s relentless pressure paid off.
The breakthrough came on the hour mark, with Mbappe bending a brilliant right-foot shot past Bounou from the edge of the area.
Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele made the game safe in the 66th minute, striding forward menacingly from midfield before steering a low finish into the bottom corner.
France now await the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal in Los Angeles between European champions Spain and Belgium.
[Aljazeera]
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