Sports
New batting stars take guard as Sri Lankan cricket finds its pulse again
Kumar Sangakkara’s glittering Test résumé reads like a cricketing epic — 12,400 runs, 38 hundreds, and a career that spanned over a decade of dominance. Statistically, he towers over all who wore the lion on their chest. But ask any Sri Lankan cricketer who the finest willow-wielder was and chances are they’ll whisper a different name: Aravinda de Silva.
It might seem odd. Aravinda’s 6,361 runs and 20 hundreds pale in comparison to Sangakkara’s mountainous feats. But greatness, as they say, isn’t always measured in numbers.
Aravinda was Sri Lanka’s original master blaster — a swashbuckler with wrists of silk and a heart of steel. He played in a time when Sri Lanka were still finding their feet in the big league, mostly on foreign soil and often on treacherous wickets tailor-made for home seamers. He didn’t have the luxury of featherbeds at the SSC or Galle and between 1987 and 1992, owing to the war, international cricket deserted the island entirely.
Yet, Aravinda flourished in adversity. His 267 at Wellington in 1991, stitched in seam-friendly conditions against a hostile Kiwi attack, remains one of the greatest away innings by a Sri Lankan. And then there was that 167 at the Gabba in 1989 — a knock that made Allan Border sit up and say, “This kid’s got something special.”
He was unorthodox, unpredictable and utterly fearless. Facing the first ball of a Test from Kapil Dev or needing three for a hundred with Imran Khan roaring in — it didn’t matter. If it was in the arc, it was out of the park. He hooked, pulled and danced down the track with nonchalance. He even tweaked his grip mid-Test match, changing it between innings just to adapt to conditions — who does that?
Sangakkara, for all his elegance and hunger was a machine — ruthlessly efficient, clockwork in pursuit of success for the team. Aravinda was an artist, painting masterpieces that lived longer in memory than in the scorebook.
Since Sangakkara’s retirement in 2015, the Sri Lankan batting cupboard has looked bare. The occasional gem from Dinesh Chandimal or the promise of Kusal Mendis teased, but never quite delivered on consistency. That, however, is beginning to change.
Enter Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis — two young batters cut from very different cloths, yet stitching together Sri Lanka’s batting renaissance.
Pathum, with his silken drives and monk-like temperament, has become the anchor at the top. His 158 at SSC was a masterclass in restraint and timing. Fielders stationed at cover and extra cover? No problem. He threaded the needle with the precision of a surgeon. Kane Williamson would nod in approval.
Kamindu, on the other hand, is all swagger and self-belief. With the scoreboard ticking and Nahid Rana cranking up the pace past 140kmph, Kamindu rocked back and pulled with authority — three men in the deep be damned. It was Test cricket, but it looked like a net session.
Last year, Pathum helped Sri Lanka break a decade-long drought by guiding them to a Test win in England. Kamindu, not to be outdone, joined none other than Sir Donald Bradman as the second fastest to 1,000 Test runs in terms of innings — an elite club
While Pathum prefers to let his bat do the talking, Kamindu brings the theatre. His post-match pressers are as illuminating as his cover drives — dissecting the game with clarity and poise. You don’t need a crystal ball to see the captain-in-waiting.
The ICC rankings, too, are beginning to reflect their rise. Kamindu has already cracked the top ten among Test batters. Pathum isn’t far behind, having flirted with a double hundred in Galle and making his mark in the T20 rankings as well.Both are all-format players — a rare breed in modern cricket. And with the old guard having long walked into the sunset, it’s these two who now carry the weight of Sri Lanka’s hopes.
by Rex Clementine ✍️
Sri Lanka will begin their three match T20I series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday with an opportunity for several youngsters to stake their claims, although the absence of Pathum Nissanka leaves a sizeable hole at the top of the order.
Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked batter in the ICC T20I rankings, has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent years and his absence deprives the tourists of a proven match-winner against a Pakistan attack that will still carry plenty of firepower despite resting several senior players.
The three T20Is will be played in Rawalpindi on October 9, 11 and 13 before attention switches to the seven match ODI tri-series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.
While Sri Lanka will miss Nissanka, his absence opens the door for highly rated Sineth Jayawardene, who has been earmarked as one for the future. The former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain now has an opportunity to show that he can make the considerable jump from domestic and age group cricket to the international stage. Sineth skippered Royal College, Colombo with distinction.
There will also be considerable interest in leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, another player Sri Lanka have invested in with an eye on the future. With Wanindu Hasaranga out of the equation, Viyaskanth has an opportunity to make a strong case for a regular berth rather than remain on the fringes.
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by the fact that Pakistan too have opted to look beyond some of their established names for the T20I leg of the tour.
Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan after leading them at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, taking over from Salman Ali Agha, who has been left out of the T20I squad. Salman remains part of Pakistan’s ODI plans.
Pakistan have also rested Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the T20Is, although both return for the ODI tri-series, where Shaheen will continue as captain.
The hosts have named uncapped all-rounders Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa in their 15-member T20I squad, while Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz have been rewarded for impressive performances at the Asian Games.
Hasan finished the tournament as Pakistan’s leading run scorer with 123 runs, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls against India in the final, although Pakistan had to settle for silver.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns to Pakistan’s T20I squad having last played the format against Sri Lanka in February, while Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed provide experience.
For Sri Lanka, while Nissanka’s runs will be sorely missed his absence means someone else has the chance to put his hand up. Sri Lanka will hope one or two of their young guns grab that opportunity with both hands.
The ODI tri-series will follow the T20Is, with the first three matches being played in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league games and the final.
Pakistan have retained a more experienced core for the 50-over competition, with Babar, Salman, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf among those included.
Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Saad Baig has earned his maiden ODI call-up after scoring more than 1,000 runs in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Moqim is another notable inclusion.
Pakistan have also strengthened their backroom staff, bringing back former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait as bowling consultant. Tait previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach in 2022-23 and replaces Ashley Noffke, who left after the Asian Games to take over as Netherlands head coach.
ATF Under-16 Colombo Week 1 Tennis
Sri Lanka’s junior players delivered a series of impressive performances on Wednesday, with the girls claiming all four semi-final places at the ATF Under-16 Colombo 2026 Week 1 tournament, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Damsath Peiris
Methuli Naotunne led the charge with a notable quarter-final win over India’s Yashmitha Santhosh, recovering from a set loss to prevail 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kiara Jayamanne also came from behind to beat India’s Ahnavi Shaw 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Risindi
Hewawasam
In an all-Sri Lankan quarter-final, Risindi Hewawasam overcame Desandi Peiris 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Disini Samaraweera defeated Sayli Basnayake 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.
The Sri Lankan boys also impressed. Damsath Peiris beat Buvindu Jayawardhana 8-2, 7-6, and Yonal Dankumbura battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jayan Sebastian.
The visiting players, however, proved tough to beat. The Philippines’ Anthony Castigador defeated Sri Lanka’s Dehan Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-4, and India’s Gurshaan Chahal fought back to overcome Udeera Gunasinghe 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.
(RF)
Mosvold Sixes 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club with Travel Trends Leisure crowned champions after a closely fought final against last year’s winners, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, who finished as runners-up. Transco Travels were second runners-up.
Twenty three destination management companies took part in the six-a-side softball cricket tournament, organised by Mosvold Sri Lanka.
The Mosvold Martinus Challenge Trophy 2026 was presented to the champions by Nilanka Martinus, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Mosvold Boutique Hotels. Chief Guest Farveez Maharoof, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder, presented the runners-up award to Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka.
This year’s twenty three competing DMCs were Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka, Hayleys Travels, We stay Ceylon, Transco Travels and Ceylon Tours.
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