Sports

Rain stops India – Pakistan Asia Cup clash

Published

3 years ago

2023/09/11

Rain has created havoc in this Asia Cup and after smooth sailing in the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh clash on Saturday, the epic India-Pakistan encounter yesterday was interrupted by rain forcing the umpires to stop play at 4:52 pm here at RPS.

The ground staff cleared up the playing field and an inspection was due to take place at 7:30 pm when this edition went to print.

India had reached 147 for two in 24.1 overs when a heavy downpour forced the umpires to stop play.

India were put into bat after Babar Azam won the toss. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave their side a terrific start adding 121 runs for the first wicket in just 100 deliveries.

India’s top order had struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack in the group game between the teams in Kandy last week and a good start was vital yesterday.

Rohit was slow off the blocks, but the introduction of spin got him going as he cut loose hitting Shadab Khan for two consecutive sixes and a four.

Rohit reached his half-century in the next over of Shadab, pulling the leg-spinner for six over mid-wicket. His half-century came off just 42 balls.

Gill, meanwhile, was confident against the quicks and had brought up his half-century in only 37 balls with ten fours.

The partnership was broken soon after the drinks break. Rohit attempted to hit Shadab over covers, but ended up hitting straighter and Fahim Ashraf sprinting to his left from long-off took a good catch.

Soon in the next over both India’s openers were back in the pavilion. Gill failed to spot a cutter from Shaheen and was too early on his shot and ended up spooning an easy catch to Agha Salman at covers.

Virat Kohli was unbeaten on eight while K.L. Rahul was 17 not out when the rain came down.

India did two changes to the side that beat Nepal in their last game bringing in Rahul in place of Shreyas Iyer, who was down with back spasms while Jasprit Bumrah replaced Mohammad Shami. Bumrah had flown back home due to personal reasons after India’s group game against Pakistan.

Pakistan, meanwhile, opted for an unchanged side.

The group game between these sides at Pallekele was washed out by rain.

The spectator turnout throughout the tournament has been low due to high ticket prices. Around 25,000 tickets of the 35,000-capacity stadium were unsold and the authorities were forced to bring the ticket prices down significantly half an hour before start of play.

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Sports

India closing in on big win in Colombo

Published

7 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sonal Dinusha’s impressive run in the series continued as he posted back to back hundreds, but India are in total control of the game

by Rex Clementine

India are closing in on a big win at SSC after Sri Lanka slumped to 229 for six at stumps on day four of the second Test having been forced to follow on yesterday.

Sri Lanka lead by just 16 runs with four wickets in hand and with three sessions remaining, the tourists will be looking to wrap up victory and complete a 2-0 series sweep. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.

Sonal Dinusha, who batted superbly for a hundred in the first innings, was unbeaten on seven when rain brought play to a premature end. With Sri Lanka now into the tail, Dinusha has his work cut out. He has been the hosts’ standout performer in the series, having also made 100 and 84 in Galle.

Sri Lanka resumed the day on 265 for eight, still needing 39 runs to avoid the follow on, but were bowled out for 290 and asked to bat again.

Although they lost both openers early, Kamindu Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara gave Sri Lanka hope with a 115 run stand for the third wicket.

Sooriyabandara, who had made 80 in the first innings, once again played spin superbly, using clever footwork, while Mendis took on the fast bowlers.

But India had plenty of runs on the board and persisted with the short ball against Mendis, stationing three fielders on the boundary. Eventually, the plan paid off. Mendis took on Mohammed Siraj and perished for 55, with captain Shubman Gill running in from square leg to complete a fine catch.

That was the breakthrough India desperately wanted and the spinners quickly turned the screws. Three wickets fell for just nine runs as Sri Lanka surrendered the initiative and India regained control.

Sooriyabandara missed out on a well deserved hundred when he charged Manav Suthar. The left-arm spinner cleverly fired the ball wide, leaving the batter stranded as Rishabh Pant whipped off the bails in a flash. Sooriyabandara’s 92 came off 173 balls and contained ten fours and a six.

Having spent considerable time in the field, India’s bowlers were beginning to tire, evident from the number of loose deliveries they sent down. But Sri Lanka’s batters lacked the patience to drive home the advantage, with several throwing away their wickets just when the hosts appeared to be clawing their way back into the contest.

Sports

Sri Lanka Air Force win Overall Championship at 14th Defence Services Badminton Championship

Published

7 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Sri Lanka Airforce Men's and Women's Badminton Teams with officials

Sri Lanka Air Force emerged Overall Champions in both the Men’s and Women’s categories at the 14th Defence Services Badminton Championship concluded successfully on 21 August 2026 at the Sri Lanka Army Indoor Sports Complex, Panagoda.

The SLAF Men’s Team secured the Open Men’s Doubles and Men’s Team Championships, while the Women’s Team excelled by winning the Open Women’s Singles, Open Women’s Doubles and Women’s Team Championships.

In the Open Men’s Doubles, Leading Aircraftman Lochana De Silva and Aircraftman Achintha Imeshaqe secured the championship, while Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara and Aircraftwoman Anurangi Masakorala claimed the Open Women’s Doubles title with Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara winning the Open Women’s Singles Championship.

Major General Mohan Premaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Army Badminton Federation, was the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony while SLAF’s Director Sports Air Commodore Prabath Dissanayake, former Chairman Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Air Commodore Poojana Gunathilake, Secretary Air Force Sports Council Group Captain Eranda Geeganage and Secretary Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Wing Commander Thushara Wijeratne. were also present.

Sports

Malki and Shashini bowl Sri Lanka Air Force to a 169 run win

Published

7 hours ago

2026/08/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

Malki Madara / Shahini Fernando

Malki Madara and Shashini Fernando shared nine wickets between them to help Sri Lanka Air Force Women beat Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women by 169 runs and propel their team to the semi finals of the Major Club Womens Limited Over cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

In the game played at their home ground in Katunayake on Monday [24], Sri Lanka Air Force posted 276 runs for the loss of eight wickets with Ashani Kaushalya topping the score card with 57 runs off 81 balls with ten hits to the ropes.Sasini Alwis and Wethumya Wijesuriya captured three wickets each.

Chasing 277 to win Shashini Fernando captured five wickets while Malki Madara captured four wickets to restrict the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women to 107. Skipper Sanduni Nisansala scored 38 off 61 balls with four boundaries and a six.

Sri Lankan Air Force Women will meet Panadura Sports Club Women for the semi-final at the LRDC ground on Friday (28)

Scores:

Sri Lanka Air Force Women 276/8 in 50 overs [Ashani Kawshalya 57, Malsha Shehani 32, Savindi Cooray 34*; Sasini Alwis 2-48, Wethumya Wijesuriya 2-67]

Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women 107/10 in 43.5 overs [Sanduni Nisansala 38; Malki Madara 4-14, Shashini Fernando 5-09]