Sports
All eyes on Nissanka in his charge for world No.1
Sri Lanka will pin their hopes on the red-hot blade of Pathum Nissanka when the tri-nation T20 series bowls off today, with the prolific opener chasing a historic rise to the summit of world cricket. Ranked third in the globe, the 27-year-old heads into the clash against Zimbabwe with the wind in his sails after that jaw-dropping hundred against world champions India in the recent Asia Cup — an innings that lit up the tournament. He also exposed weaknesses in India’s famous bowling attack.
No Sri Lankan since the majestic Kumar Sangakkara has worn the crown as the world’s No.1 batter. Nissanka, who publicly declared earlier this year that he wanted to “sit at the top of the tree,” has been batting as if possessed by that dream. Word from the grapevine is that IPL giants Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have already been circling, waiting to snap him up sooner rather than later.
Sri Lanka, however, arrive at the venue licking their wounds. Their ODI campaign against Pakistan was a bitter pill to swallow, repeatedly snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The switch to the shortest format offers them a chance to turn the tide and get some runs on the board, literally and figuratively.
With Charith Asalanka flying home, the captain’s armband passes to Dasun Shanaka — a man with previous success in T20 cricket and the knack of pulling rabbits out of hats when his side needs it most. Kusal Janith Perera returns to the fray after missing the ODIs, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa remains an unused trump card whose inclusion will depend on the team’s balance.
Young gun Pavan Rathnayake, fresh off his ODI debut in Sunday’s dead rubber, is pushing for a first T20 cap, though Sri Lanka may opt for a line-up stacked with all-round options to keep their bowling deck fuller.
Wanindu Hasaranga, the team’s match-winning talisman, continues to nurse a hamstring strain. He sparkled in the ODI series, but with the T20 World Cup looming, Sri Lanka are unlikely to roll the dice on their prized leggie. Cover has already arrived: Dushan Hemantha is with the squad and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth — the Jaffna-born prodigy with ample franchise exposure — has been flown in from Qatar to bolster the spin armoury.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nuwan Thushara remains Sri Lanka’s spearhead, his slingy action troubling batters across continents. Ranked sixth in the world, just two spots behind Hasaranga, Thushara will once again take the new ball with every intention of rattling stumps and reputations.
by Rex Clementine
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
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