Sports
Dhananjaya Lakshan– a star in the making
There was a major upset in the Lanka Premier League yesterday as table toppers Colombo Kings were sent packing by Galle Gladiators, who won a thrilling contest to book their place in the finals of the competition. Chasing a target of 151, Galle Gladiators won with two wickets to spare in the penultimate delivery of the game.
Dhananjaya Lakshan, a seam-bowling all-rounder from Richmond College, Galle emerged the match winner when it looked all lost for Galle. When the in form Danushka Gunathilaka was dismissed cheaply too much was left to be done and Lakshan rose up to the occasion admirably.
He had taken two wickets earlier in the day and then contributed with 31 runs not out as Colombo Kings cracked under pressure. He is only 22 and with his performance in this competition will come into the consideration of national selectors. He was named Man of the Match.
Bhanuka Rajapakasa, who stepped up as captain in the absence of Shahid Afridi was brilliant as well.
Galle started off the campaign poorly losing five games in a row. But towards the tail end of the league stage, they gained momentum and now they are in the final.
It all looked impossible at one stage. After their back to the wall effort in the must win encounter against Kandy Tuskers, Galle Gladiators had momentum behind them and it was a commendable effort to restrict the opposition for 150 runs. But the run chase was a farce and running between the wickets was comical.
Shehan Jayasuriya is said to be the guy who didn’t get a fair run at the senior level despite excellent records in domestic cricket. LPL was a perfect opportunity for the 29-year-old to make an impact but his performances were hardly inspiring. Jayasuriya first ran his partner out before throwing away his wicket – run out trying a cheeky single to point. There was a misfield and he attempted a suicidal run. The old saying, ‘never run on a misfield unless there’s a run and half of it’, came to mind.
Lakshan was a sensation taking some calculated risks. The winning runs were scored by the other Lakshan though – Sandakan.
Sandakan was impressive with the ball too claiming three wickets. Wrist spin seems to be the norm of the day globally when it comes to white ball cricket and Sandakan will certainly be in discussion of authorities. He needs to work on his fielding though as it remains well below par.
(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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