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SLC had warned about rain in Kandy

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The epic India – Pakistan Asia Cup clash was abandoned without a ball being bowled during the Pakistan innings due to rain.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

The much-hyped Asia Cup clash between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan was a flop with rain ruining the game and both teams sharing a point each. Although there were two rain interruptions during India’s innings, a full quota of 50 overs was bowled, but after the dinner break the run chase was not possible as persistent rain kept the players indoors, and at around 10:00 pm it was decided to abandon the game.

The ground staff had put up a terrific effort to resume the game and on two occasions the covers of the entire ground were removed, but rain returned on each occasion and no play was possible.The Island learns that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had warned about the rain in Kandy after the Esala Perera and wanted the games played at Dambulla, which is usually dry at this time of the year.

However, SLC’s concerns were ignored, and authorities were adamant about playing at Pallekele and Colombo.In fact, West Indies under-19 are in the island at the moment and their series is continuing in Dambulla uninterrupted.

It was the first India-Pakistan game played on Sri Lankan soil in over ten years. The teams were also playing their first ODI since the 2019 World Cup and there was lot of hype. However, it turned out to be a flop with rain and one of the lowest turnouts for an India – Pakistan clash in history.

The Kandy Esala Perahara held in August is a festival where devotees pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha that’s housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The Perahara ends with the diya-kepeema ritual, a water-cutting ceremony which is held at the Mahaweli River. Following this age-old ritual, the extended dry period in the hill capital ends and it is followed by torrential rain.

Following the disappointment on Saturday, where a single ball wasn’t bowled in Pakistan’s innings, it rained heavily on Sunday too and now there are concerns of Monday’s India versus Nepal clash being washed out as well.

The scheduling is not the only flaw the organizers have committed in this Asia Cup. Ticket prices were beyond the reach of spectators and turnouts have been poor for the games. Although a grass bank ticket is generally priced at Rs. 250 at Pallekele, this time it was sold at Rs. 9600. A seat at Pallekele Stadium cost Rs. 40,000 for the India – Pakistan game although these seats generally are sold at Rs. 1250.

Although the grass bank tickets were later brought down to Rs. 1500, by then most local fans had lost interest.Teams will return to Colombo this week for the Super Four round of the Asia Cup with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the second round.



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Sai Sudharsan century, Padikkal 94* put India A in command

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B Sai Sudharsan acknowledges his century [Sri Lanka Cricket]

B Sai Sudarshan had retired hurt during the first four-day fixture between Sri Lanka A and India A, but returned to action with an unbeaten century on day two of the second game at Galle. He was unbeaten on 104 at stumps, and giving him company was Devdutt Padikkal, who was 94 not out.

Sai Sudharsan and Padikkal’s partnership was unbroken on 181 for the second wicket, leaving India A only another 119 runs behind Sri Lanka A’s first-innings total of 366.

India A had started positively, with Sai Sudharsan and his opening partner Aman Mokhade bringing up their half-century stand off just 63 balls. While Sai Sudharsan had hit five boundaries until that stage, Mokhade had hit four. But offspinner Keshara Nuwantha broke the stand at 66 when he had Mokhade caught for 38.

Despite the loss, Sai Sudharsan and Padikkal kept India A going by steadily chipping into the hosts’ total. The runs kept coming at a steady pace for the visitors, who had, earlier in the day, bagged the last five Sri Lanka A wickets for just 61 runs.

Sri Lanka A had resumed on 288 for 5, with their captain Sahan Arachchige unbeaten on 83. He hit the second ball of the day, bowled by Gurnoor Brar, for four, but the fast bowler broke the sixth-wicket partnership on 35 when he had Chamika Gunasekara caught behind for 13 in the 92nd over. Arachchige, meanwhile, reached his century in the 94th over. He kept Sri Lanka A ticking in a steady eighth-wicket stand with Dilum Sudeera after  Saransh Jain got Nuwantha for 1.

Sudeera contributed a handy 20 before Jain had him lbw in the 109th over, before Grunoor wrapped up the innings in the next over. He dismissed Arachchige for 127 and last batter Asanka Manoj two balls later to bowl Sri Lanka A out in 110 overs. That was lunch, and both Gurnoor and Jain finished with four wickets each. India A then carried the momentum into the next two sessions of the day.

Scores:
India A 247 for 1 in 63 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 104*, Devdutt Padikkal 94*; Keshara Huwantha 1-63) trail  Sri Lanka A 366 in 110 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 44, Sahan Arachchige 127, Anjala Bandara 42; Gurnoor Brar 4-77, Saransh Jain 4-92, Yash Thakur 2-46) by 119 runs

[Cricinfo]

 

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Hope returns, Roach out for West Indies after injury-hit Sri Lanka bat

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File photo: Shai Hope returned from his injury, with Joshua Da Silva making way (Cricinfo)

Sri Lanka won the toss and made the surprise call to bat first on a North Sound surface with a fair covering of grass. West Indies  lead the two match series 1-0.

Dhananjaya de Silva’s focus at the toss was on picking up 20 wickets and Sri Lanka’s inability to do so in the first Test, which he cited as a primary reason for their heavy defeat. Roston Chase was quite happy to bowl first, stating that it was what he would have done had he won the toss.

There were changes for both teams, with several of those injury-enforced. West Indies welcomed back Shai Hope with Joshua Da Silva making way. Kemar Roach also missed out with an injury, with Anderson Phillip  replacing him to keep four pacers in the playing XI.

Sri Lanka made three changes, as Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha missed out. Nissanka underwent a wrist surgery, while Kumara suffered a hamstring injury in the first Test. Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya  and debutant pace-bowling all-rounder Isitha Wijesundera all came in.

With the pitch described as even, with a fair covering of grass with a tinge of green on it, Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first caught a few off-guard. West Indies’ four-pronged pace attack will once more look to test the Lankan top order – particularly in the first hour of play. The pitch was also expected to show some uneven bounce with a few cracks on it. Sri Lanka do have the extra spinner in their lineup, and will be hoping that when it comes time for them to bowl there will be some assistance for the slower bowlers.

The weather remained dry, but there was some forecast for rain.

West Indies:  John Campbell,  Brandon King, Kavem Hodge,  Amir Jangoo  Shai Hope (wk),  Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales,  Alzarri Joseph,  Shamar Joseph,  Anderson Phillip

Sri Lanka:  Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka,  Dinesh Chandimal,  Kamindu Mendis,  Dhananjaya de Silva (capt),  Kusal Mendis (wk),  Sonal Dinusha,  Prabath Jayasuriya,  Milan Rathnayake,  Isitha Wijesundara,  Asitha Fernando

(Cricinfo)

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Juventus Training Camp from 6-10 July in Colombo

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Stake holders of the Juventus Training Camp at the launch held on Friday (03rd July 2026) from left - Mark Rajkumar ( Kickerz, Assistant Coach) Shaheer Riyad -(Kickerz, Coach) Nilanga Silva ( Kickerz, Coach), Karim Schadlou (General Manager, Hilton Colombo Residences), Suranaga Rathnayake ( COO, Aitken Spence Travels ), Alessandro Morra ( Juventus Camp - Assistant Coach), Simone Collura (Juventus Camp - Head coach), Aboobucker Siddeek ( Kickerz - Head Coach), Romario De Silva -(CEO - Colombo Kickerz), Moditha Weerasinghe ( Head of Sales, ThePapare), Viveca Weerasingha (Academy Head, Colombo Kickerz)

The much anticipated Juventus Training Camp organized by the Colombo Kickerz Football Academy will take place from 6th to 10th July at the CR&FC Grounds Colombo.

The Camp will be  conducted by two official Juventus Academy coaches from Italy, and  will  provide 50 young footballers from across the country to participate in an intensive program based on the renowned Juventus methodology,  focusing on technical development,  tactical understanding,  team work, discipline  and personal growth.

Romario de Silva CEO of Colombo Kickerz Football Academy said that the objective of the Academy was to provide young footballers with access  to world class coaching and international development opportunities.

He added that the Training Camp was made possible through the valued support of Hilton Colombo Residencies, Aitken Spence travels, The Pappare and Lady J.

Colombo Kickerz Football Academy established in 2015, is one of Sri Lanka’s leading youth football academies, dedicated to developing young footballers both on and off the field  through a holistic approach to player development.
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