Sports
Sri Lanka aware Afghanistan will be tougher opponents in ODIs
Rex Clementine at Pallekele
Sri Lanka overcame Afghanistan in the one-off Test match at SSC but captain Kusal Mendis is aware that when it comes to ODI cricket, they will be a different kettle of fish. Afghanistan have never won an ODI series against Sri Lanka. They travelled to the island for bilateral series in the last two years and while the 2022 series was levelled at 1-1, the 2023 series was won by Sri Lanka 2-1.
A lot has changed since then though. Afghanistan qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup directly while Sri Lanka had to play the Qualifiers. At the sport’s showpiece event, the Afghans finished a respectable 6th (equal on points with fifth placed Pakistan) while Sri Lanka finished a disappointing ninth.
While Afghanistan qualified for next year’s Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka were knocked out of the eight-nation event. It’s the first time they will not be taking part in an ICC event since Anura Tennakoon skippered the team in the inaugural World Cup in 1975.
“They are a good side and they have some new players who have done well in ODI cricket but we are confident of having a good series. These are our conditions and we know we can do well,” Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis told journalists.
Mendis felt that despite Rashid Khan, the opposition’s star bowler being not there, the Afghans will be tough to beat as quite a few of them have gained experience playing league cricket.
“Afghanistan are no longer a team that lacks experience. They play a lot of league cricket. In my eight years of international cricket, I have played only two leagues. Rahmanullah Gurbaz in a few years has played in so many leagues. They have competed against good players and played in all conditions. There’s not much of room for error with them,” Mendis explained.
The Sri Lankan captain also said the bigger picture for him in ODI cricket is to build up a strong side based on quality fast bowlers with an eye on the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. The event will be staged in South Africa.
“In the last two series, we played, we came close to winning, but we fell short. So, the motivation this time around for us is to win the series. The way we performed during the
World Cup has given us the confidence that we can beat any side,” Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan captain went onto say.
Sri Lanka (From):Kusal Mendis (Captain and wicketkeeper), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Shevon Daniel, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananajya and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Afghanistan (From): Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad and Naveed Zadran.
The Sri Lanka women’s volleyball team, powered by Dialog Axiata is set to depart the country today to compete in the 2026 Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will be held from 22 to 29 May with the participation of eight nations from across the region.
The tournament will be played in two preliminary groups, with the Sri Lankan side, captained by Ashani Chamodika, drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside Kazakhstan, Iran and Bangladesh. Group ‘A’ will feature India, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and hosts Nepal.
Sri Lanka Head Coach Amila Wijepala believes the team is well prepared to face the challenge despite being drawn in a highly competitive group.
“Our group is comparatively more challenging than Group ‘A’. Kazakhstan recently secured third place at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship after defeating China, making them our toughest challenge. We are confident of overcoming Bangladesh, while I also believe our players possess the ability to defeat Iran. Our objective is to win at least two matches and qualify for the semi-finals,” he said.
Vice President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Mahinda Bandara, expressed confidence in the squad and praised the players for their commitment during the preparation period.
“We are fielding a very strong side for this tournament. The players have undergone close to two months of residential training at the Watupitiwala Indoor Stadium. We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports for its invaluable assistance in facilitating this tour. We also sincerely appreciate the continued sponsorship and commitment shown by Dialog Axiata towards Sri Lanka’s national sport and this international campaign,” he said.
The Sri Lanka squad for the Central Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship includes high-ball hitters Dilukshi Harshani, Nimeshika Sewwandi, Preethika Pramodani, Timi Mary, Arana Sanjeewani and Shalu Thilakshana. Short-ball hitters are Sanjeewani Karunaratne, Dilki Nethsara, Sesandi Ruwanya and Piumi Bhashini.
Naduni Nimansala and Kavindi Asanthika will serve as liberos, while captain Ashani Chamodika and Dilki Charuka have been named as setters.
The support staff includes Head Coach Amila Wijepala, Assistant Coach Udaya Rukmal, Trainer Upendra Perera, Women’s Team Officer Renuka Nilmini and Team Manager Mahesh Kariyawasam.
15TH STAFFORD MOTORS – MCA G DIVISION T20 LEAGUE CRICKET TOURNAMENT
Dayan Indunil starred with both bat and ball [86 off 48 balls and 4-10 in 4 overs] to power Brandix Apparel to a 70 run win over Stafford Motors at the Nalanda College grounds on Sunday [17] and qualify for the final of the Stafford Motors sponsored MCA G division T20 cricket tournament.
Invited to bat first on a cloudy day, Brandix were 108/1 at the halfway stage of their innings but were unable to keep up the run rate after the fall of the second wicket and were bowled out for 151. Chasing 152 to qualify for the final, Stafford Motors fell victim to the Brandix bowlers led by Dayan Indunil and Sampath Jayalath and were bowled out for 81 runs in 14.3 overs.
Brandix will meet Maliban Biscuits ‘B’ at the MCA ground next Sunday for the final.
Brief scores:
Brandix Apparel
151/10 in 19.1 overs [Dayan Indunil 86, Sampath Jayalath 14, Sasitha Ashan 13; Janith Maduwantha 3-29, Shanaka Sampath 2-25, Vihanga Malith 1-36, Sanjaya Fernando 1-17, Asanka Kumarage 3-20]
Stafford Motors
81/10 in 14.3 overs [Gajindu Yasas 24, Vihanga Malith 10, Vishwa Rajapaksha 27; Janaka Weerapokuna 1-20, Dayan Indunil 4-10, Sampath Jayalath 3-18, Akila Dhanuddara 2-14]
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