Sports
Pathirana, Akram blow away Gulf Giants with three-fers
A day ahead of the IPL auction, Matheesha Pathirana bagged a three-fer as Sharjah Warriorz scripted their second win of the season. The Sri Lankan ended with figures of 4-1-19-3 as the Warriorz restricted the Gulf Giants to 163 for 9, who were in pursuit of the target of 175. Wasim Akram too picked up a three-wicket haul (3-34) while Tom Abell did the bulk of the scoring for the Warriorz with 68 off 41 in the first innings to bring up a competitive score on the board.
With the Warriorz being put in to bat, Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s struggles in the ILT20 continued, dismissed cheaply for six by Fred Klaasen, with his first ball in the ILT20. Johnson Charles hit two boundaries off Matthew Forde but holed out to long-on in the last over of the PowerPlay. This was sandwiched by Abell smashing back-to-back sixes and a four off Klaasen for 19 runs in the fifth over.
Abell and James Rew then put on 71 runs together. They targeted the spin of Liam Dawson and Moeen Ali, finding regular boundaries, before Abell brought up his 50 off 32 balls. He also played a beautiful stroke inside-out over extra-cover for a maximum. He then fell to Aayan Khan holing out to deep mid-wicket. Couple of overs later,`Rew was bowled by Chris Wood as Dwaine Pretorius joined Sikandar Raza each other at the crease. The South African took 16 runs off Forde in the 18th over before hitting two boundaries off Wood. Pretorius’ cameo of 28 off 13 came to an end off the last ball when he was run-out.
In reply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz got a reprieve in the first over when Ethan D’Souza dropped him off Taskin Ahmed. Wasim Akram got the in-form Pathum Nissanka for a low score of three. Gurbaz got hold off Taskin for a four and a six in his following over but got the key wicket of James Vince for a duck. Gurbaz continued to find the boundaries but the Giants continued to lose wickets with Mayers falling to Akram. It got worse for the Giants as three balls later, Pathirana castled the dangerous Gurbaz with an off-cutter to leave the Giants 38 for 4 in 4.3 overs.
Moeen (45) and Azmatullah Omarzai (41) then put on 79 runs together across the next 10 overs to bring the Giants back into the contest. Just when the partnership began to look threatening, Akram picked up his third with that of Omarzai. One brought two, as Pathirana got Forde to miscue a pull which was pocketed by Rew. Pretorius picked up Asif Khan as the Giants continued to tumble. Pathirana sealed the final nail in the coffin with the wicket of Moeen before the Giants finished on 163 for 9 in their allotted overs.
Brief Scores:
Sharjah Warriorz
174 for 6 in 20 overs (Tom Abell 68, James Rew 33; Chris Wood 2-26, Aayan Khan 1-22) beat Gulf Giants 163 for 9 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 45, Azmatullah Omarzai 41; Matheesha Pathirana 3-19, Wasim Akram 3-34) by 11 runs
(Cricbuzz)
Sri Lanka has named a young squad for the forthcoming T20Is against India, bringing in the likes of 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani, 23-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi, while 19-year-old Rashmika Sewwandi has also been named.
Captain Chamari Athapaththu also has some experienced hands in her ranks for the series, with spinner Inoka Ranaweera, 39, also in the squad, alongside a top order that has now had significant exposure at the top level. But as the team builds towards next year’s T20 World Cup in England, there is now a drive within the squad to blood younger players.
There is no room in the squad for wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani (35), who has played 86 T20Is. Also omitted are Udeshika Prabodhani (39), Sugandika Kumari (33), or Achini Kulasuriya (34), who had all been part of the squad for the team’s most recent T20I assignment, the tour of New Zealand in March this year.
Gimhani, one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young talents, delivers wristspin with either arm, though left-arm wristpin is her primary suit. She earns her place in this squad through solid showings against Australia Under 19 in September. She had already made a promising start to her senior international T20I career, however, having taken six wickets at the top level from five matches, with an economy rate of 5.53.
Seamer Kavindi also has some top-flight experience under her belt, with 10 T20Is to her name. Sewwandi, also a seamer, has one T20I against her name, but did not bowl in that match. Nimasha Madushani, the 26-year-old left-arm spinner, is uncapped in internationals.
While Sri Lanka seek fresh talents in the bowling department, the batting is more familiar. Hasini Perera, Vishmi Giunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika de Silva, and Kavisha Dilhari – all of whom played significant roles in the recent ODI World Cup – are in this squad. Kaushini Nuthyangana is likely to take the gloves in Sanjeewani’s stead.
Seamer Malki Madara, 24, has impressed with the ball this year in ODIs, is also there. Malsha Shehani, who bowls both seam and spin, finds a place as well.
The five-match T20I series begins in Visakhapatnam on December 21, before moving to Thiruvananthapuram for the last two games.
Sri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika De Silva, Kavisha Dilhari. Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Nimesha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara
[Cricinfo]
Former Sri Lanka cricketer D. S. de Silva has passed away in London on Monday following a brief illness. He was 83.
A stalwart from the game’s formative years in the island, de Silva was part of Sri Lanka’s XI for their inaugural Test in 1982 against England. A year later, with injuries sidelining Duleep Mendis and Roy Dias, de Silva was handed the captaincy for the tour of New Zealand, a late call-up that came after he had already crossed his 40th birthday.
A classical leg-spinner with a cultured approach, de Silva was a familiar name in Ceylon colours long before Test status arrived, operating tirelessly in an era when opportunities were few and recognition scarcer still.
He featured in both the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, back when Sri Lanka were still associate members, and played a decisive role in the famous upset of India in the 1979 tournament, claiming three wickets in a win that proved a watershed moment on the road to Test recognition.
De Silva was also among the rare professionals of his generation, having plied his trade in English league cricket, broadening his horizons at a time when overseas exposure for Sri Lankans was the exception rather than the norm.
After hanging up his boots, de Silva continued to serve the game as a selector and coach, leaving his imprint on the next generation. He coached Sri Lanka to the Under-19 World Cup final, nurturing young talent with the same patience he once showed at the crease and at the bowling mark.
He later moved into administration, heading Sri Lanka Cricket from 2009 to 2011 as chairman of the Interim Committee. During his tenure, the Hambantota and Pallekele International Cricket Stadiums were built ahead of the 2011 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted.
De Silva’s passing marks the end of an era, as one of the quiet architects of Sri Lanka’s rise in world cricket finally leaves the field.
The second edition of the National Short Track Athletics Championships will be held at the 200 metres track of the Sugathadasa Stadium on January 3, 2026.
The event scheduled for a 1.00 pm start is limited to a few track and field events generally held at indoor stadiums.
It will be the first track and field event of the year and will be held when Sri Lanka Athletics is governed under a convening committee.
Sri Lanka Athletics is without an elected body after Sports Ministry’s attempt to conduct the election of office bearers under new sports regulation ended up in a fauxpass.
Now the Sports Ministry is scheduled to conduct a Special General Meeting next week where an Election Committee will be reappointed to hold the election of office bearers.
The short track meet will be held under the observation of the convening committee.
The events to be held at the meet are (Men & Women) 60m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m, Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, TripleJump and Shot Put.
The 60m, 60m Hurdles and 400m events will be held as heats and finals, where the best times will qualify for the finals.
Other track events will be held as time finals (Final A/ Final B).
All the field events will have only 3+1 rounds.
(RF)
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