Sports

Madirika, Dunukara clinch titles at inaugural Race Walking championship

Published

2 years ago

2024/02/19

by Reemus Fernando

Leading contenders Kalhari Madirika and Sandaruwan Dunukara won the women’s and men’s titles respectively at the inaugural Race Walking Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Athletics in Colombo on Sunday.

The many time National Sports Festival race walking champion Dunukara clocked 97 minutes and 35 seconds to finish the 20 kilometres race conducted at the Independence Square in Colombo. Dunukara was nearly two minutes ahead of fellow Army athlete Y.S. Wimalasooriya (1:39.22) who settled for the runner up position. R.B.S.K. Sampath who is also from Army finished third (1:42.58).

In the women’s competition, Madirika returned a time of one hour, 51 minutes and 45 seconds to win. P.B. Gayani finished second (1:52.12). Air Force athlete Dinusha Dihani who finished third was the only athlete outside Army to win a podium position in both categories.

It is the first time that Sri Lanka Athletics had conducted a race walking championship, though the sports governing body had held the discipline occasionally alongside other events.

In the absence of a separate national championship, race walking athletes had considered the Race Walking event of the National Sports Festival as their top competition of the year so far.

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Afghanistan eye morale-boosting win to end campaign

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/19

Priyan

Following up on their highs of 2024 was always going to be difficult for Afghanistan. Paired with South Africa and New Zealand, Afghanistan always knew that they had to win at least one of those games to stay in the reckoning for a place in the Super Eights. Unfortunately, they were up against it right from the start as those two were also their initial opponents in the tournament.

Losing both those matches hurt their chances big time and they had to rely on an upset from Canada to keep them in contention. While Canada briefly threatened, that pressure with their lack of experience was never going to sustain against New Zealand who sealed their spot, leaving this final clash of Group D inconsequential.

The inability of the Afghanistan spin attack to pose more questions to the opposition batting lineup was something that stood out in the two defeats, especially given that Afghanistan have only played day games so far. Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a good outing against New Zealand and Rashid Khan was excellent against South Africa. But Noor Ahmad has had a poor tournament and Mohammad Nabi has been relegated to a very restricted role with both bat and ball – throwing doubts over his future in the national side given his age. At certain moments, Afghanistan looked like they might fall short against UAE as well before Azmatullah Omarzai bailed them out.

On Thursday (February 19), they will be up against a team that finally fared well with the bat against New Zealand, although that was largely thanks to a one-man show from Yuvraj Samra. Canada will have their task cut out yet again against a side that will be desperate to finish their campaign on a high note.

Canada’s bowling attack will once again be under the scanner after they put up an erratic display against New Zealand, squandering the early advantage. While there are question marks over Nabi’s future, Canada’s Navneet Dhaliwal has already confirmed that this would be his final fixture in international cricket.

The pitches have been pretty good to bat on at Chepauk this time. While teams generally prefer to chase in evening games, it’s worth remembering that dew didn’t have an effect in the USA-Netherlands fixture last week.

Ziaur Rahman Sharifi was handed an opportunity in the last game but failed to impress. Afghanistan could contemplate giving Abdullah Ahmadzai a game in this dead rubber.

With nothing to play for, Canada might opt to give some fringe players a go, especially in the bowling department.

Afghanistan Probable XI – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai

Canada Probable XI –Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa (c), Navneet Dhaliwal, Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva (wk), Saad Bin Zafar, Shivam Sharma, Dilon Heyliger, Jaskaran Singh, Ansh Patel

[Cricbuzz]

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Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe seek momentum sustenance ahead of stiffer challenges

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/18

Priyan

On the face of it, there is nothing riding on this contest in terms of qualification scenarios with the Super Eights draw locked in. Yet, with both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe staying unbeaten so far, this is perhaps the perfect opportunity for their paths to collide before the Super Eights swing by.

One of these two teams did not make it that far in the 2024 edition while the other did not qualify for the event altogether. In lieu of that, this campaign is an improvement already for both units. Yet, as Sikandar Raza said after the washout against Ireland, Zimbabwe aren’t going to be satisfied with a Super Eights finish alone.

Having famously booked an early ticket home for the mighty Australians, Zimbabwe will look to do more of the same in the next round once they reach India. On the back of two impressive wins with their players stepping up across departments, a third against the co-hosts prior to the Super Eights would do their confidence a world of good, while also seeing them finish on top of Group B.

It will be far easier said than done against a rampant Sri Lankan outfit, who arrive fresh off one of their more comprehensive victories in the last decade in T20 World Cups. Pathum Nissanka produced arguably the knock of the tournament, Kusal Mendis has been in irrepressible form, while Pavan Rathnayake has proved to be a surprise package at 4.

That said, Sri Lanka have had to grapple with injuries, the latest casualty being Matheesha Pathirana, who has been ruled out of the tournament. Having already lost Wanindu Hasaranga earlier, the co-hosts will hope that there are no further mishaps as they look to roll along with a solid head of steam and aim to contest the big games.

For a ground historically known to favor spin, the wicket-split between spinners and pacers so far in the tournament has been fairly even (31-26). The venue has offered the least drift for spinners although it ranks fourth among the World Cup venues as far as the average turn goes. Given this is a 3 PM start that eliminates the factor of dew, spin may just have a more prominent role to play. There is a thunderstorm on the radar too, which could impact the game.

Dilshan Madushanka has been drafted in as Pathirana’s replacement, although Pramod Madushan, the other spare fast-bowler in the squad, could start in the XI. As much as there could be a temptation to give Charith Asalanka or Janith Liyanage a game, expect Sri Lanka to resist that and stick with their winning combination ahead of the Super Eights.

From their last completed game against Australia, Zimbabwe ought to bring Richard Ngarava back into the XI, with the left-arm seamer rested for that outing as a precautionary measure. Leggie Graeme Cremer could miss out, although the possibility of resting Blessing Muzarabani cannot be ruled out either, should Zimbabwe want an additional spinner.

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan

Zimbabwe Probable XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani

[Cricbuzz]

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West Indies aim to keep up rhythm as Italy look to end on a high

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/18

Priyan

West Indies are unbeaten in three group games so far [Cricbuzz]

West Indies will look to maintain their unbeaten streak and conclude the group stages with a perfect record as they face tournament debutants Italy on Thursday (February 19) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Their fates are already sealed. West Indies, as table toppers in Group C, are next headed to Mumbai for the Super 8s stages while Italy will be packing up to return home. However, there’s still pride to play for, for the first-timers. Italy’s 10-wicket thrashing of Nepal was enough evidence that they aren’t just making up the numbers here. But heavy defeats on either side of that historic win meant their maiden World Cup journey would end at the group stages itself.

West Indies, on the other hand, have been near flawless through the first round. They opened their campaign with a 35-run victory over Scotland, and then defended 196 against favourites England at the Wankhede before thrashing Nepal by nine wickets to seal the top spot. With a healthy net run-rate of 1.820, only a heavy upset can dislodge them from the top spot that they currently occupy.

Different players have consistently put their hand up for the team, with three different Player of the Match awards in as many games. The wins have been built on complete all-round performances with nearly all the batting order firing consistently. The bowling department, too, has worked in unison to skittle oppositions.

While Italy may have shown they are not mere pushovers, West Indies will come into the contest as heavy favourites. The sheer explosive capabilities of the two-time champions will likely overwhelm the Italian bowling attack on the run-laden Kolkata deck. An upset will unlikely change anything but Italy’s standing in cricketing history.

he venue has been a high-scoring one this World Cup with two 200+ scores already in four games. It could be a cloudy start to the morning but no threat of rain.

A ‘slight little niggle’ kept Romario Shepherd out of the XI for the last game. He should slot back in if fit, with Matthew Forde making way.

Regular skipper Wayne Madsen has missed the last two games due to an injury in the opening fixture and remains a doubtful starter for their last group game as well.

West Indies Probable XI: Brandon King, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romariio Shepherd/Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

Italy Probable XI: Justin Mosca, Anthony Mosca, JJ Smuts, Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, Marcus Campopiano/Wayne Madsen, Grant Stewart, Gian Meade (wk), Jaspreet Singh, Crishan Kalugamage, Ali Hasan

[Cricbuzz]