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A captain brought down by a bouncer of his own making?

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When Sri Lanka’s T20 skipper Charith Asalanka was quietly withdrawn from the tri-series in Pakistan, the early whispers blamed a bout of illness. But scratch beneath the surface and a different picture emerges — one where the captain’s defiance during the heated stand-off over continuing the Pakistan tour has come back to hit him like a nasty lifter on a cracked pitch.

Fast bowler Asitha Fernando, another key figure who padded up to return home, has suffered a similar fate. The pair go back a long way — teammates at Under-19 level when Roy Dias guided Sri Lanka to a rare series win in England in 2014. Both of them are back home now and not part of the tri-series in Bangladesh.

Asalanka, groomed meticulously for leadership, has long carried the air of a captain-in-waiting. At Richmond College he led with aplomb and his stint as Sri Lanka’s Under-19 skipper only polished those credentials further. When he debuted at 23, it felt inevitable that the armband would rest on his sleeve and once entrusted with the reins, he steered the side with a calm assurance that echoed Mahela Jayawardene’s trademark poise.

Under his watch Sri Lanka beat Australia and India in bilateral ODI series, climbing to number four in world rankings — a breath of fresh air after the Champions Trophy miss. With bat in hand, Asalanka earned a reputation for ice-cold finishing, often shepherding tricky chases and setting up imposing totals. His rise to number seven in the ICC ODI batting chart was no fluke.

But T20 cricket, the game’s madcap sprint, proved less forgiving. His returns with the bat dipped alarmingly, and Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup campaign unravelled with not a single second-round win. Meanwhile, some of his bowling changes raised eyebrows.

Entrusting the final over to a returning Dunith Wellalage with big-hitting Mohammad Nabi at the crease was a gamble and the youngster was launched for five sixes. Sri Lanka escaped that night, knocking Afghanistan out, but other blunders were not so easily covered up — like overlooking ex-captain Dasun Shanaka for a crucial over and instead handing the ball to Kamindu Mendis, whose ambidextrous spin could not prevent Bangladesh from chasing 169 on a tough deck.

Through it all, Asalanka maintained a spotless disciplinary record. He carried himself with dignity, never dragging the game into disrepute. But more recently, murmurs emerged of a small clique within the squad — predominantly his mates from Richmond. It was background noise until the bomb blast in Islamabad, 20 kilometres from the team hotel.

Despite assurances from Pakistani authorities and upgraded security plans, a small group — Asalanka included — stood firm that the tour should be abandoned. Sri Lanka Cricket, unwilling to blink, began lining up replacements. Though the players eventually agreed to stay after late-night persuasion, the damage had been done.

The message from top was unmistakable: no one is bigger than the game. Sri Lanka lost the ODI series with a match to spare, Asalanka sat out the finale and he was quietly flown home before the tri-series began.

The writing on the wall had appeared earlier when selectors named Dasun Shanaka as T20 vice-captain, a not-so-subtle hint that all was not well. Asalanka failed to read the field and now it seems Shanaka will retain the captaincy for the T20 World Cup on home soil. As for Asalanka, he suddenly finds himself not fighting for leadership, but fighting for his place in the XI.

In cricket, as in life, one misjudged shot can turn a match on its head. For Charith Asalanka, this might just be the toughest innings he has yet to rebuild.

https://www.telecomasia.net/blog/a-captain-knocked-over-by-his-own-bouncer/

Telecom Asia Sport



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Tamim Iqbal elected new BCB president

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Tamim Iqbal attended a press conference after being appointed BCB president [Cricinfo]

Tamim Iqbal has been elected as the new BCB president following the elections held in Dhaka on Sunday. Tamim was the only candidate, and he will serve a four-year term in total, having already completed two months as the ad-hoc committee’s head.

The Bangladesh government called for BCB elections under the interim body in April, following the dissolution of the previous elected body under Aminul Islam.

The day-long election, including physical votes and e-ballots, were held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, which is also the board headquarters. A total of 23 directors were elected in three categories and two government representatives were announced later to form the 25-member body.

Tamim is one of the most prominent cricketers to have played for Bangladesh, having appeared in 391 internationals across three formats. He led Bangladesh to 21 wins in 38 matches across formats, including the 2-1 ODI series against South Africa in 2022. After his international retirement in early 2025, Tamim continued to play domestic tournaments but a heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match that year put an abrupt end to his playing career.

The election commission said 88 votes were cast to elect 23 directors in two out of the three categories. The first category includes all the divisions and districts of the country, the second is the Dhaka clubs that participate in the league system, while the third consists of former cricketers, captains, education boards and others. Tamim was one of twelve directors elected from the second category.

The new 25-member body held an election among themselves to choose the president and two vice-presidents. After Tamim was elected as board president, Fahim Sinha was elected as one of the two vice-presidents. The other vice-president hasn’t been selected.

The previous board elections were held on October 6 last year. Aminul was re-elected BCB president under controversial circumstqnces when Tamim, leading one of the panels, withdrew from the polls alleging Aminul of “bias and malpractice”.

Category 1 directors: Sayeed Bin Zaman, Abdullah Al Fuad, Minhajul Abedin, Moyeen Uddin Chowdhury, Shantanu Islam, Shafiqul Alam, Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Shakrul Alam, Faisal Amin

Category 2 directors: Tamim Iqbal, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Israfil Khasru, Dr Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed, Masuduzzaman, Rafiqul Islam, Sakeef Ahmed, Shanian Taneem, Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, Yasir Abbas, Yasir Faisal

Category 3 director: Sirajuddin Alamgir.

Government representative directors: Ruhul Amin, Sarfaraz Ahmed

[Cricinfo]

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West Indies look to level series in rainy Kingston

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Wanindu Hasaranga takes off after striking [Cricinfo]

With no play possible in the second ODI, both teams go into the third game well-rested. Perhaps this is a chance for the IPL returnees in particular to have caught their breath. The rain, though, may not have cleared in Kingston completely. According to the forecast, showers are likely in the afternoon and also possible in the evening, though there may be dry spells in between. There is a chance this will be a stop-start match in which DLS calculations come into play.

With a series win now beyond them, West Indies will be especially motivated to avoid being blanked at home. There is also the matter of their current 10th-placed ranking, which is not enough for them to gain automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup (cut-off is end of March next year). They need every ranking point they can get over the next two months. Sri Lanka are slightly more comfortable, at sixth position, and about 12 points clear of the current cut-off. But they’ll want to build more of a cushion themselves.

In the first ODI, Sri Lanka’s dominance in the middle overs is what had won them the match. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were economical on a helpful surface, where West Indies’ frontline spinner Gudakesh Motie had been hit out of the attack. And Sri Lanka’s top six also showed serious hustle, picking up the tempo and keeping the runs flowing after Sri Lanka had had a poor powerplay with the bat.

These remain two relatively evenly-matched teams, however. With a little more discipline from their bowlers, West Indies are capable of leveling the series.

Although his Test average remains outstanding, Kamindu Mendis is yet to find a home in limited-overs cricket. Partly this is because his batting is so versatile, coaches and selectors have tended to yank him up and down the order as the team’s needs evolve. So far in ODIs, he has done his best work at No. 7 and 8, but he has now been asked to open the innings alongside Pathum Nissanka. His first innings at the top of the order brought only 12, but Sri Lanka are unlikely to ditch the strategy after one game. Can batting in the powerplay be the change he needs to kick his white ball career into high gear?

Over a fledgling international career, Keacy Carty has demonstrated promise at No. 3, where he averages 45.18. What he doesn’t have, so far, however, is the kind of body of work a long-term No. 3 should ideally built. So far, he has two tons apiece against England and Ireland, but is yet to put up serious numbers against other oppositions. Runs against an attack of Sri Lanka’s quality would add to his confidence.

Rain will potentially dictate conditions on Monday. If there’s rain around, teams tend to prefer to chase. Not only do they prefer to be batting while DLS calculations are in play, but a wetter ball is also more difficult for bowlers to grip, particularly spinners.

West Indies may think about bringing Shimron Hetmyer into the XI to shake up the batting a little.

West Indies (possible): John Campbell, Justin Greaves,  Keacy Carty,  Shai Hope (capt.)(wk),  Shimron Hetmyer/Sherfane Rutherford,  Roston Chase, Matthew Forde,  Gudakesh Motie,  Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph,  Jayden Seales

Sri Lanka may keep their winning XI, but with so many quicks to choose from, may be tempted to give Eshan Malinga a run, especially if it’s a shortened match.

Sri Lanka (possible): Pathum Nissanka,  Kamindu Mendis,  Kusal Mendis (capt.)(wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage,  Wanindu Hasaranga,  Milan Rathnayake,  Dushmantha Chameera,  Asitha Fernando/Eshan Malinga

[Cricinfo]

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Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up: Kapp, Wolvaardt take SA past Ireland

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Laura Wolvaardt scored 65 off 37 balls (Cricinfo)

South Africa successfully defended 136 in an 18-over game against Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up fixture in Loughborough . The experienced Marizanne Kapp led the way with the ball, her 4 for 24 helping South Africa dismiss Ireland for 120 in 17.4 overs. Shabnim Ismail,  who had recently reversed her retirement, picked up 1 for 25 in her four overs.

Leah Paul was the only Ireland batter to pass 20 in their chase. Apart from Paul, only four Ireland batters got to double figures.

After South Africa were asked to bat first, they posted 136 for 8 on the back of captain Laura Wolvaardt’s 65 off 37 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.

SCORES:

South Africa Women   136 for 8 in 18 overs (Sune Luus 17, Laura Wolvaardt 65, Annerie Dercksen 26, Nadine de Klerk 11, Aimee Maguire 1-13,  Arlene Kelly 3-29, Cara Murray 2-13, Ava Canning 2-08) beat Ireland Women  120 in 17.4 overs   (Rebecca Stockel 19, Leah Paul 29, Alice Tector 17, Louise Little 13,  Arlene Kelly 15; Marizanne Kapp 4-24, Shabnim Ismail 1-25, Tumi  Sekhukhune 2-18, Nadine de Klerk 1-16, Nonkululeko Mlaba 1-25)   by 16 runs

(Crickinfo)

 

 

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