Sri Lanka have little room for error when they take on defending champions New Zealand in their second game of the Women’s World Cup at the Rose Bowl today. After suffering a crushing 87 run defeat to hosts England, Chamari Atapattu’s side saw their Net Run Rate take a severe beating, leaving them with almost no margin for error. Another defeat could virtually shut the door on their semi-final aspirations.

New Zealand, meanwhile, are also under pressure after suffering a shock defeat to the West Indies last week. The White Ferns will be desperate to set the record straight and start overwhelming favourites, having won 14 of the 16 matches the two teams have contested.

Young top order batter Vishmi Gunaratne, who despite being only 20 years old has already represented Sri Lanka in more than 80 internationals, promised a much improved display against the Kiwis.

“We all came to England with a lot of belief and confidence, but we didn’t play well in the opening game. We need to put that behind us now and focus on the games ahead,” Gunaratne told reporters.

“We have had some good discussions about what we need to do against New Zealand. We have played them quite often and know what it takes to beat them. We are looking forward to a good contest,” she added.

“England was a tough game and we know where we went wrong. We are determined to bounce back, play much better cricket and come out victorious.”

Dropped catches proved costly in the opening game and the Sri Lankan players spent two days at the Rose Bowl sharpening their fielding skills. Head coach Jamie Siddons, however, felt poor bowling rather than spilled chances was chiefly responsible for the heavy defeat in Birmingham.

Sri Lanka are rooted to the bottom of Group ‘B’, where six teams are battling for two semi-final spots.

In Group ‘A’, Australia, India and South Africa are considered the leading contenders for semis. While Australia and India have made winning starts to the tournament, South Africa find themselves at the foot of the table after losing their opening fixture.

Rex Clementine
in Southampton

As the final point landed and celebrations erupted around Padel House, the Colombo Aces weren’t simply lifting a trophy. They were making a statement. In a country where cricket, rugby and football have traditionally dominated the sporting landscape, the Colombo Aces emerged as champions of the inaugural Sri Lanka Padel League in 2025 and announced themselves as one of the most exciting sporting brands in the country.

‎Yet their story extends far beyond a championship-winning campaign. What began as a franchise competing in a fledgling padel competition has evolved into something much bigger, a movement determined to reshape how Sri Lankans engage with sport and what a modern sporting franchise can become.

‎Founded by Principal Owner and Founder Viren Beruwalage alongside Co-Founders Saurika Livindu and Thehan Wijemanne, the Colombo Aces were built on a vision that stretched beyond a single competition.

‎ ‎While many teams focus solely on winning matches, the Aces set out to build an identity, a community and ultimately a franchise capable of transcending individual sports. Their philosophy was simple: sport is evolving, and those willing to embrace change will shape its future. The franchise’s leadership structure reflects that ambition. General Manager Damith Weerasinghe, whose background spans from cricket, media and sports administration through ThePapare, works alongside Technical Director Anuk Suraweera, who brings experience from both rowing and cricket.

‎Few sports have experienced global growth quite like padel. The launch of the Sri Lanka Padel League represented a landmark moment for the sport locally, introducing a franchise-based model capable of bringing fans, players and brands together under one roof. For the Colombo Aces, it was the perfect stage. The league was more than a competition; it was an opportunity to build a culture and a community around a shared identity.

‎Entering the inaugural Padel League draft with the 8th and 16th selections, the Aces were hardly handed a dream scenario. Yet rather than viewing their position as a disadvantage, they saw an opportunity to build a squad united by culture, belief and chemistry. One of those selections was Thehan Wijemanne, chosen with the 16th pick and later becoming a key contributor to the championship-winning campaign. The Aces eventually overcame the Galle Fort Mariners in a

‎thrilling final to become the first-ever Sri Lanka Padel League champions.

‎ ‎Reflecting on the achievement, founder Viren Beruwalage praised the resilience shown by the squad: “Every player showed up with heart and hunger. We knew it would come down to those last few points, and they held strong.”

‎ ‎The title secured the Aces’ place in history, but more importantly it proved that culture can often outweigh circumstances.

‎Championships may win headlines, but supporters build legacies. One of the defining features of the Colombo Aces’ inaugural campaign was the passionate fanbase that emerged around the franchise. Throughout the league, supporters embraced the team’s identity, creating an atmosphere unlike anything else seen during the competition.

‎ ‎That support reached its peak during the final. The venue transformed into a sea of fans that packed the stands, creating an electric atmosphere that many involved in the tournament still speak about today. In many ways, those scenes represented something bigger than a sporting contest, the birth of franchise culture in Sri Lanka.

‎‎For many organizations, winning a championship would have marked the pinnacle. For the Colombo Aces, it marked the beginning. Following their historic title triumph, the founders recognized an opportunity to expand beyond padel and establish a presence across multiple sporting landscapes. Today, the Colombo Aces participate in the Sri Lanka Padel League, Ceylon Golf League, and the RPL T10 Cricket League, while also fielding a motorsport team through racing driver Yoosuf Faizal. Rather than becoming known for a single sport, the Aces aim to create a sporting ecosystem where athletes, fans and communities from different disciplines can unite under one banner.

‎As defending champions, the Colombo Aces will once again take center stage in the second edition of the Sri Lanka Padel League 2026 played over the next weekend. Familiar faces from last year’s title-winning squad, Nilumi Fernando and Thehan Wijemanne, who return in pursuit of a second consecutive championship. To strengthen their ambitions, the franchise has also enlisted Portuguese coach Nuno Café, bringing international expertise and fresh perspectives to an already talented setup.

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