Sports
Chandimal regrets Karunaratne run out
After a shaky start, losing opener Pathum Nissanka in the first over, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne steadied Sri Lanka’s innings with a 122-run stand. They appeared to be cruising when, against the run of play, Karunaratne was run out for 46.
Karunaratne had pushed a ball to mid-wicket and called for a single, but his partner did not respond, leaving him no chance to make it back to the striker’s end. Speaking at the post-match media briefing, Chandimal expressed regret over the incident.
“The run out was very unfortunate. Dimuth was struggling with cramps, and he had told me earlier that we shouldn’t take sharp singles. So, when he called for a run after a misfield, I wasn’t prepared,” Chandimal explained.
“Looking back, I should have trusted him and gone for the run. I apologized to him as soon as I got back to the dressing room. He was batting so well. It was entirely my fault, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Chandimal told reporters.
Leading up to the series, in an effort to move Kamindu Mendis to number five, Sri Lanka had decided to push Chandimal up the order, and the former captain hasn’t disappointed. He has scored a hundred and a half-century in three innings.
“The coach wanted me to bat at number three and he said it would be my position moving forward. It was a request to help balance the side, and I accepted the challenge. It feels good to score a hundred,” Chandimal remarked.
“Facing the new ball isn’t easy. At number five, I don’t usually encounter it, but today, I was out there in the second over. I tried to stay positive, and I’m glad it worked out well. We’re in a good position now.”
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips also reflected on his team’s performance, expressing frustration over missed opportunities, including two dropped catches and a missed stumping.
“It wasn’t the day we wanted. A couple of dropped catches and missed chances really cost us. Sri Lanka made us pay for those errors, but that’s part of the game. You have to appreciate the bowlers’ efforts,” Phillips said.
“We would have batted first too on that wicket. Sri Lanka are on top right now, but we saw what happened in the first Test. We could come out tomorrow and bowl them out for 330. At the end of the day, we need to assess our plans and create some opportunities.”
Latest News
Tamim Iqbal elected new BCB president
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]
Latest News
West Indies look to level series in rainy Kingston
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]
Latest News
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up: Kapp, Wolvaardt take SA past Ireland
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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