Sports
Sri Lanka exit after quite a show
Rex Clementine
in St. Lucia
The press has been ruthless demanding curators back home to give good pitches. The reason being that if you play on doctored pitches and beat strong opponents at home, when you go for ICC events you have nowhere to hide. But it was the other way around this time. It was so disappointing to see the tracks on which the World Cup of the United States leg was played on. They were two paced and not batting friendly at all.
Sri Lanka were found wanting on these dodgy tracks. By the time they came to the West Indies where the wicket was flat, their campaign was over. Their game against Netherlands on Sunday was a dead rubber.
There’s no point in blaming the pitch and all. A batting line up as experienced as this should have seen the team through. Two hours of madness in New York and Dallas has seen Sri Lanka make an early exit.
In St. Lucia, although Pathum Nissanka fell early and not many runs came in the Power Play, Kusal Mendis gave Sri Lanka a good platform. Dhananjaya de Silva at number three ensured there was no collapse during their 45-run partnership. Then Charith Asalanka provided the acceleration with 46 off 21 balls that included five sixes.
The vice-captain fell with the score on 166 and 15 deliveries remaining. Former captain Dasun Shanaka fell for a first ball duck as his wretched run in the series continued.
Sri Lanka could have got bowled out again as they were down to the tail. But Angelo Mathews (30) and Wanindu Hasaranga (20) ensured that the total went beyond 200.
There was plenty of big hitting no doubt, but more importantly, Sri Lanka ran the twos and threes well. Something that they have failed to do in the competition. Not that they put the pressure on fielders sufficiently, but Sunday’s show was far better than the sloppy cricket they have showcased so far in the tournament.
The run chase went well for the Scots as the openers added 45 runs. But soon, the scoreboard pressure took to them. Kusal Mendis was clever behind the stumps effecting two stumpings and a run out. Catching in the outfield too was superb as Sri Lanka bowled out the Dutch for 118 in 16.4 overs to complete an 83-run win.
Nuwan Thushara was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana picked up two wickets apiece.
(Cricbuzz)
The remainder of the tenth edition of the PSL has been moved to the UAE amid escalating border tensions between Pakistan and India. The PCB has said that the dates and venues of the remaining eight games in the PSL 2025 season would be officially confirmed in due course.
On Thursday, Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi were due to play a game at the Rawalpindi Stadium, which was rescheduled following an emergency meeting. At the meeting, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met with overseas players in the league, who overwhelmingly expressed a desire to relocate the league to the UAE.
ESPNcricinfo understands that foreign players are already on their way out of Pakistan to the UAE, where the rest of the league will be played. It is likely to be several days before the next game is played as the PCB works out which venues to play the games at.
The original schedule would have seen four of the remaining games in Rawalpindi, one in Multan, and the final three in Lahore. An earlier update from the PCB had said the league would be rescheduled, but did not confirm at the time it would be taken out of Pakistan, with Karachi considered a likely option.
The PSL, now in its tenth season, is familiar with the UAE, having started there back in 2016. It was played there in full – barring the PSL 2017 final – for the first two seasons. Part of season six, in 2021, also had to be played in the UAE because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Any delays to the PSL are likely to impact Pakistan’s international calendar, too. Bangladesh are due to arrive in Pakistan three days after the PSL final, originally slated for May 18, with the first of five T20Is to begin on May 25 in Faisalabad. The PCB told ESPNcricinfo that no decision had yet been taken on the fate of that series.
(Cricinfo)
Bangladesh Under 19s won the six-match Youth ODI series 3-2 after the final Youth ODI against Sri Lanka Under 19s ended without a result due to rain at the Colts ground on Thursday.
Sri Lanka came to the final match with the hope of leveling the series but rain prevented a full match.
Deciding to bat first, the visitors were 188 for three wickets in the 40th over when rain prevented further play.
Skipper Azizul Hakim led Bangladesh with 94 runs inclusive of seven fours and two sixes. For the hosts, Tharusha Navodya, Kugathas Mathulan and Himal Ravihansa took a wicket each.
Sri Lanka Under 19s won the opening encounter by a big margin but three consecutive defeats thereafter saw the visitors take command. Sri Lanka Under 19s bounced back in the penultimate match to keep alive the series but rain spoilt their plans in the final encounter.
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