Half-centuries from Harshitha Samarawickrama and Imesha Dulani propelled Sri Lanka to a 25-run win in the first T20I against Bangladesh. The home side’s batting woes continued as they failed to chase down 162 against an efficient bowling effort by the visitors in Sylhet.

Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya and captain Chamari Athapaththu picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka restricted Bangladesh to 136 for 7 in the chase. Athapaththu was outstanding with her accuracy, conceding just 19 runs in her four overs for the two wickets. Bangladesh had been put in early trouble when they slipped to 44 for 4 in the sixth over, despite starting off rapidly with 39 for no loss in the first 3.3 overs.

Shorna Akter then struck 60 off 45 balls, with six boundaries including two sixes, but her knock was for a losing cause. There was no help from batters at the other end. Shorna stuck around even as Bangladesh kept losing wickets and was the last batter dismissed off the final ball of the innings.

Earlier, Sri Lanka were powered by Athapaththu, who cracked five boundaries and a six in her 32. After her dismissal in the tenth over, Dulani and Samarawickrama added 80 runs for the third wicket. Samarawickrama struck five fours and two sixes in her 61 off 35 balls, while Dulani slammed seven fours in her 55 off 40 balls.

Their approach derailed Bangladesh’s bowlers, with only offspinner Sultana Khatun putting in an impressive bowling display: she took 2 for 29. The remaining two T20Is in the series will also be held in Sylhet.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Women 161 for 4 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 32, Imesha Dulani 55, Harshitha Samarawickrama 61; Marufa Akter 1-37,  Sultana Khatun  2-29, Nahida Akter 1-26) beat Bangladesh Women 136 for 7 in 20 overs (Dilara Akter 23, Juairiya Ferdous 16, Shobhana Mostary 16, Shorna Akter  60; Malki Madara 2-31, Mithali Ayodhya 2-34,   Chamari Athapaththu 2-19) by 25 runs

[Cricinfo]

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva had outlasted three Executive Presidents – Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe – and looked set to see off the new ball from Anura Kumara Dissanayake as well. For a while, it seemed like he had the measure of every spell thrown at him. But this time, the batter has edged one and walked.

The new government, elected on a platform of transparency and good governance, had been accused of shadow batting when it came to cleaning up cricket. There were murmurs in the stands, and not without reason. Eyebrows were raised when political heavyweights like Wasantha Samarasinghe – who wouldn’t know a short leg from a fine leg – were regulars at SLC gatherings. It gave the impression that the field placements hadn’t changed.

But in the end, President Dissanayake played it late and played it well. Timing, as they say in cricket, is everything and this was a shot straight out of the middle.

The Island learns that the government had been itching to make a move earlier, but were wary of playing a false stroke. With Shammi’s close links to ICC chair Jay Shah, there was a genuine fear of another suspension – a scenario Sri Lanka had already endured two years ago when Shammi was removed. Rather than charge down the track, the government chose to bide its time, build its case and wait for the right delivery.

When the moment arrived, they didn’t swing wildly. Instead, they tossed the ball back into Shammi’s court and invited him to take the honourable route. He did and like a collapsing batting order, the rest of the committee followed him back to the pavilion.

Crucially, Sri Lanka Cricket avoids the follow-on of an ICC suspension. This was a resignation, not a dismissal, a technicality that could prove decisive. Shammi, who had just one year left in his term, was reportedly exploring ways to extend his stay at the crease. With some of the country’s top legal minds at his disposal, tweaking the playing conditions was child’s play for him.

Now the spotlight shifts to the government. They must make a watertight case to justify extending the three-month window for fresh elections. Others have trodden this path before, South Africa managed it successfully and Bangladesh are currently following suit with ICC backing.

If handled well, it could buy Sri Lanka the time needed to bring long-pending reforms into play notably the recommendations of the Justice Chithrasiri report, which has been gathering dust.

Attention is already turning to the next innings. Former cricketer and ex-parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne has emerged as the frontrunner to head the interim committee, especially after former NOC boss Suresh Subramaniam opted out due to health concerns.

Another name doing the rounds is Kushil Gunasekara, a respected figure in international cricketing circles. A former Ananda College cricketer, Gunasekara played a key role as head of the organising committee for the 2000 Under-19 World Cup and he is no stranger at ICC. His off-field work, particularly in his native Seenigama, has earned widespread admiration, including honorary life membership at Marylebone Cricket Club.

For now, though, the headline belongs to AKD. After a long watch and a patient build-up, he has finally broken through, a wicket that had been a long time coming. This is a big fish indeed.

by Rex Clementine

St. Joseph’s College produced a spirited recovery after an early batting collapse to reach 226 for four at stumps against Royal College on a rain-curtailed opening day of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket final played at the P. Sara Oval on Tuesday.

‎Having elected to bat first, the Josephians were rocked in the early exchanges as they slumped to 11 for three within the space of just three overs. Royal’s pace spearhead Mahiru Kodituwakku did the early damage, striking twice in a fiery opening spell to put Joes under severe pressure.

‎However, the innings was revived in emphatic fashion by a crucial fourth wicket partnership between Senuja Wakunegoda and skipper Rishma Amarasinghe. The duo combined resilience with positive stroke play to add a match-defining 179 runs, occupying the crease for 44 overs and steadily shifting the momentum.

‎Batting through testing phases before and after lunch, the pair frustrated the Royal bowling attack with disciplined shot selection and composure. Amarasinghe, leading from the front, compiled a fluent 73 off 120 deliveries, striking nine fours and two sixes before being dismissed. He was eventually separated from his partner by Dushen Udawela.

‎Wakunegoda, who anchored the innings superbly, remained unbeaten on 118 at tea after which there was no resumption of play due to a drizzle and lightning.

‎His knock came off 178 balls and included 12 boundaries and two sixes, highlighting both patience and authority. He found support towards the end from Chethina Kavinda, who was unbeaten on 15 as Joes finished the day in a relatively better position than what was expected after early collapse.

‎After a disastrous start, St. Joseph’s will take plenty of confidence from their recovery, while Royal will look to strike early on the second day to claw their way back into the contest.

Scores: ‎St. Joseph’s College –

226/4 in 61 overs (Senuja Wakunegoda 118*; Rishma Amarasinghe 73; Mahiru Kodituwakku 2/64) (RF)