Sports

Taijul puts Bangladesh in charge as Ireland lead crosses 130

Published

3 years ago

2023/04/7

Lorcan Tucker celebrates his ton with Andy McBrine

Lorcan Tucker led Ireland’s defiance of Bangladesh in the Dhaka Test, batting out the third day after starting it tottering on 27 for 4. Tucker became the second Irishman to reach a debut Test century, and the sixth wicketkeeper to do so, as his 108 straddled two sizable partnerships to keep them in the hunt. Ireland ended up on 286 for 8, when everyone thought that Test would end early on the third day.

The visitors’ 131-run lead may not look impressive but they have done enough to put questions in Bangladesh’s mind. The home side doesn’t have a great chasing record at the Shere Bangla National Stadium where they haven’t won since 2020. Taijul Islam was the pick of the bowlers again, taking his tally to nine wickets in the match. But Shakib bowling just six overs on the day was a peculiar decision given that he looked fit and fielded all day.

Tucker though matched the Bangladesh spinners in a superb display. His celebration after reaching the hundred found cheers from the tiny crowd who appreciated the young batter’s century. His 111-run seventh wicket stand with Andy McBrine frustrated Bangladesh for 28.3 overs, as Ireland built their innings on the back of partnerships of the third day.

The visitors started the day on 27 for 4 after they lost their first four wickets in the first 6.5 overs. Shakib and Taijul shared those four wickets, and looked menacing. But PJ Moor and Tector negated them for 10.1 overs on the second evening, before continuing in the same vein on the third morning.

Litton dropped Tector on nine in the second over of the day, but that was the only chance that went down. Tector and Moor lasted 25.4 overs for the fifth wicket. They added only 38 runs but it worked as the foundation for the rest of the day.

The pair made sure the early collapse didn’t materialise into anything embarrassing, before blunted the Bangladesh attack at their freshest. Moor fell to the one shot he played away from his body, edging Shoriful Islam at the first hour mark of the day.

Tector then had Tucker for company, and the pair picked up the tempo with some fine shots. Tucker started off with a reverse swept four off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, before Tector cracked a cover drive off Shoriful. Tucker then unveiled two pull shots against Ebadot Hossain, before launching Khaled over midwicket with a flick down the wicket. Tector’s last boundary was a straight drive, before he fell for 56. He struck seven fours and a six in his 159-ball effort.

Their partnership lasted 24 overs, but this time the scoring rate was 3.00 per over, as they added 72 runs. It was the boost that Ireland needed, which was cashed by McBrine and Tucker for the seventh wicket.

Ireland added 106 runs in the middle session, losing only Tucker. McBrine kicked off with a swept four before Tucker’s straight four got them the lead. He hammered Shoriful through square-leg for another memorable shot, before hitting him for another pair of fours in the 70th over.

McBrine wasn’t too far behind, matching Tucker’s straight six for one of his own. Tucker reached his hundred with a cover drive against Taijul, quite apt as he was the constant threat at one end from Bangladesh.

Tucker finally got out when he drove Ebadot waywardly, caught in the covers by Shoriful who let out a huge roar after taking the catch. But even after the end of the big partnership, Ireland weren’t done. McBrine reached his maiden fifty too, adding another valuable 31 runs for the eighth wicket with Mark Adair. Even the way the day ended – McBrine and Graham Hume batting out the remaining 8.3 overs for the unbroken ninth wicket – will encourage the Ireland side to have a go at Bangladesh on the fourth day.

Brief scores:

Ireland 214 and 286 for 8 (Lorcan Tucker 108, Andy McBrine 71*, Harry Tector 56, Taijul Islam 4-86, Shakib Al Hasan 2-26) lead Bangladesh 369 (Mushfiqur Rahim 126, Shakib Al Hasan 87, Mehidy Hassan Mirza 55, Andy McBrine 6-118) by 131 runs (Cricinfo)

All News Advertisement

Sports

Samash smashes century as Joes post 354

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Aveesha Samash (Picture credit ThePapare)

Open batsman Aveesha Samash produced a superb century to power St. Joseph’s College to a commanding first-day total against Prince of Wales College in their Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ semi-final encounter at the D.H.H. Ground, Madampella on Monday.

‎Samash top scored with a brilliant 122 runs, striking 14 fours and three sixes, as the Josephians piled up an imposing 354 in their first innings.

‎Asked to take first lease of the wicket, St. Joseph’s suffered an early setback, losing two wickets for just 16 runs. However, Samash steadied the innings with a crucial third wicket partnership alongside Pamoda Dalpadado. The pair added a valuable 173 runs to turn the match in favour of the Josephians.

‎Batting for more than thirty overs together, Samash played the aggressor’s role while Dalpadado provided steady support, ensuring the Joes rebuilt strongly and maintained control of the contest. Dalpadado contributed a well-compiled 64 before being caught by Rusandu Silva off the bowling of Oshan Maneesha, who emerged as the pick of the Prince of Wales bowlers.

‎Samash continued his fluent innings to reach a well-deserved century before being dismissed after laying a solid platform for his side.

‎Following their departures, Chethina Kavinda added a useful 34 while Nushan Perera accelerated the scoring with an entertaining 60 off 68 balls, which included nine boundaries and a six, helping the Josephians reach their formidable total of 354.

‎For Prince of Wales, Oshan Maneesha led the bowling effort with good support from Nethul Anuhas and Rusandu Silva, who claimed two wickets each.

‎At stumps on the opening day, the Cambrians safely negotiated one over each from Nushan Perera and Vishwa Peiris without losing a wicket, beginning their reply cautiously.

‎‎Scores:

‎St. Joseph’s 354 all out in 78.3 overs (Aveesha Samash 122, Pamoda Dalpadado 64, Nushan Perera 60, Chethina Kavinda 34; Oshan Maneesha 4/91, Nethul Anuhas 2/83, Rusandu Silva 2/39).

‎Prince of Wales

3 for no loss in 2 overs. (RF)

Sports

Sri Lanka make winning start at ITF Development Championship

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka made an impressive start on the opening day of the ITF Asia Under-14 Development Championship finals as five local players recorded victories at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Monday.

The tournament, which will run until April 19, features young tennis talent from fourteen Asian nations competing for honours. Teams from Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Myanmar, Syria, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Thailand and hosts Sri Lanka are taking part in the championship.

Sri Lanka’s girls produced a strong showing in the first round with three convincing victories. Navya Banagala delivered a dominant performance to defeat Leisan Laksova of Kazakhstan 6-1, 6-0. Sahansa Damsiluni also impressed as she overcame M. Akramov of Uzbekistan 6-4, 6-2. Dinethma Ekanayake completed the successful outing for the girls with a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win against Vin Miyo Aye of Myanmar.

In the boys’ competition, Buvindu Jayawardhne fought back strongly after losing the first set to beat Nepal’s Bishwo Dallakot 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Chirath Subasinghe added another victory for the hosts with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 win over Aung Zay of Myanmar.

With five players progressing after the opening round, Sri Lanka enjoyed a promising start to the championship as the young national hopefuls look to make their mark against some of Asia’s emerging tennis talent.

Sports

Over hundred players expected at National Billiards Championship

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dhammika Attygalle – President AAC handing over a replica cheque to Niranjan Abeyasena, Secretary Billiards and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka. Also in the picture from left are Anton Kandiah, Billiards Secretary, Devapriya Hettiarachchi, Secretary, Kumara Lanerolle, Sectional Chairman Billiards all of AAC & Sarath Jayalal, B & S ASL.

Arrangements have been made to conduct the 71st National Billiards Championship 2026 sponsored by Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) and conducted by the Billiards & Snooker Association of Sri Lanka.

‎It is the fourth consecutive year that the sponsors have come forward to bear the cost of the championship.

‎The organisers envisage that there will be around 100 players taking part from around the country. The Championship will constitute of three segments, namely, district, the all Island and finally the national segment.

The 16 seeded players who played the Nationals last year will play for laurels this year too. In addition, the All Island level matches will comprise the players relegated from the last year Nationals and players who will be selected from the districts at this year’s tournament.

‎The matches will be played at the billiards parlor of the Association and the final matches will take place at the Automobile Association of Ceylon tables.

‎Affiliated clubs from the entire country are entitled ti enter for this year’s tournament. Most of the entries are expected from the tri forces players.

‎The proud record that billiards have established in the country dates back to 1973 where M J M Lafir annexed the World ‘s Billiards Championship played in India.