Sports

Royal looking for smooth sailing after turbulence in 2024

Published

4 months ago

2025/08/8

Under 15 Division 1 Cricket

Last year finalists Royal College, Colombo are set to meet Mahanama College, Colombo in the quarter-finals of the Inter School Under 15 Division I cricket tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.

Last year, Royal reached the final with a first innings win over Wesley but with the other semi-final between St. Peter’s and St. Anthony’s Katugastota not lasting the full distance Royal were left stranded without an opponent to compete in the final. There was a legal battle as well regarding the result of the desputed match.

Royal led by Nithesh Jayasinghe will be looking forward to see the tournament last the full distance this time. Nithesh was part of the team that reached the final last year.

In this edition of the tournament Royal reached the knockout stage as runners up from their group and beat De Mazenod Kandana and Richmond during the kockout stage. They will be meeting Mahanama in their quarter-final on August 12 at Campbell Park.

Mahanama captained by Ranitha Hettiarachchi are in the quarter-finals after eliminating Nalanda and St. Benedict’s. In the first round they were the champions of their group.

The quarter-final stage will start on Sunday with two matches. While St. Anthony’s College Wattala meet Mahinda College Galle at Panadura, Wadduwa Central take on St. Joseph’s College Darley Road at Campbell Place.

The boys from Wattala led by Tuan Hafeez Junkeer eliminated Piliyandala Central and Maris Stella College to reach the quarter-finals after advancing to the knockout stage as the champions of their group in the first round.

Mahinda captained by Senuja Vehan secured the quarter-final place with a win over St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa. In the first knoknockout match they eliminated St. Aloysius’ Galle. They too were champions in their group in the first round.

In the other quarter final, Dharmaraja College Kandy will meet Devapathiraja College Rathgama at Ibbagamuwa Central College ground on August 11. Both schools were the champions in their respective groups in the first round.

Dharmaraja captained by Sasith Bandara beat St. Mary’s Kegalle and St. Anthony’s Katugastota during the knockout stage to reach the quarter-finals.

Devapathiraja cptained by Diyath Sanjitha beat Sri Sumangala, Panadura and Vidyartha Kandy during the knockout stage.

St. Joseph’s Vs Wadduwa Central

St. Joseph’s advanced to the second round as the champions of their group in the first round. The team led by Dihen Jayathilake beat S. Thomas’, Mount Lavinia and St. Mary’s Chilaw during the knockout stage.

Wadduwa Central captained by Imesh Chathuranga reached the quarter-finals with victories over Tissa Central and St. Sylvester’s. In the first round they were the champions of their group.

St. Anthony’s Vs Mahinda at Panadura on August 10

Teams

St. Anthony’s (from):

Tuan Hafeez Junkeer (Captain), Chamath Damsara (Vice Captain), Niresh Chameera, Nazar Hamzath, Mohommed Fahim, Sadeesha Kavinda, Himasah Silva, Nipul Sandeev, Irosh Alahakoon, B. Kavishan, Ashvika Fernando, Senitha Perera, Shabir Muzammil, Anthony Perera, Imesha Perera, Senon Nimthaka. Officials: K.P.M.S. Pathirana (Master in Charge), Pawan Senanayake (Head Coach), Uvindu Perera (Asst. Coach).

Mahinda (from): Senuja Vehan (Captain), Gesandu Bisas (Vice Captain), Sanuga Nethmira, Yasas Punsisi, Senuka Warusavithana, Anuga Palliyaguru, Tanuja Indusara, Nimnada Dahan, Sithun Santhula, Kevin Geemitha, Dehan Hasaral, Dulmeth Hirunaka, Dithanga Disath, Kaviru Kithmina, Adithya Prabash, Dinira Wijesekara.

Officials: Jagath Samarakoon (Master in Charge), Indeera Gallage (Head Coach), Hashan Kavishka (Asst. Coach)

St. Joseph’s Vs Wadduwa Central at Campbell Place on August 10

Teams

St. Joseph’s (from):

Dihen Jayathilake (Captain), Nathan De Zylva, Tharul Soyza, Romal Ruwin, Chethina Kavinda, Thisanga Perera, Gayasha Fernando, Mokitha Thathsilu, Nivain Alexander, Savindu Perera, Dinsara Anthony, Santhosh Jayaprakash, Lawa Jovonic, Nimthara Gunawardana, Dihane Thilakeratne, Roshadha Perera, Kevin Fernando.

Officials:

Sanjeewa Fernando (Master in Charge), Dinal Dambarage (Head Coach), Sisira Praboda (Asst. Coach)

Wadduwa Central (from):

Imesh Chathuranga de Silva (Captain), Thekshana Fonseka (Vice Captain), Sayuranga Nishshanka, Gimsara Perera, Nethsara Dharmasena, Nirvan Silva, Didula Silva, Sanjula Soysa, Vikum Sathsara Perera, Thathsara Rodrigo, Dewan Dulmeth, Mokshan Silva, Praboda Silva, Sathsara Silva.

Officials: Kanthasiri Meegamuwage (Master in Charge), Dhanushka Perera (Head Coach), Thisas Hansindu (Asst. Coach), Deshan Madusanka (Asst. Coach)

Dharmaraja Vs Devapathiraja at Ibbagamuwa on August 11

Teams

Devapathiraja (from):

Diyath Sanjitha (Captain), Adeesha Gautham, Linuwara Sathvidu, Praboda Hasaral, Nikesh Thathsara, Imalsha Madusanka, Denuwan Jayalath, Pinidu Nethsara, Deneth Pehesara, Deneth CHathuranga, Sineth Mikeshara, Sineth Madusanka, Shashen De Silva, Harshan Dananjana, Bumith Deenuka, Sadev Nimsara, Dinuk de Silva.

Officials:

Mrs. Charuka Gunathileke (Teacher in charge), Ranjan Lasantha (Head Coach), Chamika Sandaruwan (Asst. Coach), Sandaru Theekshana (Asst. Coach)

Dharmaraja (from):

Sasith Bandara (Captain), Mandil Gunawardana (Vice Captain), Mihirindu Vitharana, Senith Maldeniya, Thinulaka Rajapakha, Risith Ambepitiya, Isuru Samarathunga, Imash Galapitiya, Yasas Edirisinghe, Disas Kepitiarachchi, Thimira Matheesha, Senuka Hidurangala, Hiruka Ekanayake, Bhawantha Rathnayaka.

Officials:

Asanka Ariyarathne (Master in Charge), Senaka Dissanayake (Coach), H.M.N. Dilshan (Coach)

Mahanama Vs Royal at Campbell Park on August 12

Teams

Mahanama (from):

Ranitha Hettiarachchi (Captain), Yukitha Dabare, Sanuka Gunasekara, Weerya Paramitha, Vihas Bethmage, K.N.D. Sandes, Nethuka Dewmithu, Bineth Minsara, Abhiru Sepala, Lithum Rithmitha, Neth Sri Ashinsana, Lithum Liyanage, Hasal Fernando, Sanuka Rithsanda, Nithum Gunasekara, Lahiru Rashmitha, Rivith Wijesooriya, Tharuka Silva, Devmin de Silva.

Officials:

Lahiru Madusanka (Master in Charge), Salinda Madusanka (Head Coach), Manoj Nirosha (Asst. Coach)

Royal (from): Nithesh Jayasinghe (Captain), Ranuda Ranasinghe, Savain Gamage, Aadam Rahimdeen, Gagan Gamage, Harin Mendis, Manish Wijesundara, Abhiru Amarasekara, Ramiru Thiranagama, Mahima Silva, Senuth Perera, Nethka Ridimaliyadda, Sasen Ranawickramarachchi, Vethum de Mel, Teshan Sheminda, Yasiru Dissanayake, Lisara Kathuriarachchi, Duladith Senadheera.

Officials:

D.M.S. Dissanayake (Master in Charge), Sandaruwan Fernando (Coach), Desan Fernando (Asst. Coach), Wasantha Satharasinghe (Asst. Coach), Nikhil Fernando (Asst. Coach).

by Reemus Fernando ✍️

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Sports

Sri Lanka Under 19s pull off two wickets win against Afghanistan

Published

6 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka Under 19s scored back to back victories as Mahanama College batsman Chamika Heenatigala anchored the tail with an unbeaten half century to seal two wickets victory over Afghanistan U19s in their second group match of the Under 19 Asia Cup in Dubai on Monday.

‎Chasing 236 runs to win Sri Lanka U19s were eight wickets down for 217 runs in the 48th over but Heenatigala with Rasith Nimsara kept their cool to seal the victory with four balls to spare.

‎In their chase, Viran Chamuditha top scored with 62 runs and put on a first wicket stand of 55 runs with Dimantha Mahavithana (27).

‎While Kavija Gamage (34) and Dulnith Sigera (22) made vital contributions with the bat, Sethmika Senevirathne and Sigera took three wickets each.

‎It was Sri Lanka Youth team’s second consecutive win in the tournament after registering their first win against Nepal.

Sports

Dasun Shanaka’s all-round effort can not hold Vipers

Published

6 hours ago

2025/12/16

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sam Curran bagged two wickets before scoring an unbeaten fifty. (ILT20)

Dasun Shanaka scored an unbeaten 29 and took two wickets but that could not hold Desert Vipers becoming the first team to seal a playoffs spot as they made it six wins out of six on Sunday (December 14) halfway through the league stage of the ILT20 2025-26.

‎Sam Curran produced an all-round effort as Vipers chased down Dubai Capitals’ 166/4 with five wickets in hand and a ball to spare.

‎Asked to bat, Capitals lost Shayan Jahangir to Naseem Shah in the third over and were kept on a tight leash by the Vipers pacers in the powerplay, reaching 35/1. Gulbadin Naib and Leus du Plooy then added 39 at close to a run-a-ball before Noor Ahmad removed his Afghanistan teammate. Capitals were 68/2 at the halfway mark and in need of momentum through the second half of the innings.

‎Du Plooy injected some urgency with two fours off Lockie Ferguson in an over, followed by a six off Naseem Shah to bring up a 38-ball fifty. But Curran turned the innings again with a double-wicket over, dismissing du Plooy and Rovman Powell off successive deliveries. Jordan Cox and Dasun Shanaka, however, ensured a strong finish, striking six fours and three sixes in an unbroken 72-run stand off 40 balls.

‎Max Holden set the tone in the chase, accounting for six of the seven fours Vipers struck in the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman fell to Mustafizur Rahman in the fifth over but Vipers still reached 50 in six overs. Holden was dismissed for 34 by Haider Ali while attempting a slog sweep, and although Hasan Nawaz struck three sixes, he fell to Waqar Salamkheil to leave Vipers at 88/3 after 10 overs.

‎Dan Lawrence and Curran steadied the chase with a 32-run stand before Lawrence was dismissed by Shanaka for 20 in the 14th over. In the same over, Shimron Hetmyer struck a four and a six and was later reprieved by Shanaka. A couple of tight overs followed, but Vipers remained in control, needing 31 from the final four overs.

‎Curran took them closer with two fours off David Willey and a six off Muhammad Jawadullah. With three required in the final over, Hetmyer fell to Shanaka, but Curran finished the chase with a six off the fourth ball, completing a 33-ball fifty to cap a fine all-round performance.

‎‎Brief scores:

‎Dubai Capitals 166/4 in 20 overs (Leus du Plooy 54, Jordan Cox 49*; Sam Curran 2-17)

‎Desert Vipers

171/5 in 19.4 overs (Sam Curran 52*, Max Holden 34; Dasun Shanaka 2-19)

Sports

Akbar Brothers crowned MBSA A-Division champions

Published

18 hours ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

Akbar Brothers Ltd delivered a commanding all-round performance to clinch the ‘A’ Division title at the 33rd MSBA League Basketball Tournament, defeating defending champions Fairfirst Insurance 70–60 in a thrilling final held recently.

Despite a group stage loss to Fairfirst, a revitalized Akbar Brothers team returned for the final with renewed focus, executing a strategic and disciplined game plan with some excellent passing and defense. Akbar Brothers came in with all guns blazing right from the outset. The first quarter was all Akbar’s that stacked up a 13 to 4 lead. Fairfirst mounted a strong challenge in the second quarter, narrowing the margin, but Akbar’s momentum secured a 35–28 lead at halftime, a margin they maintained with composure through to the final whistle.

Dasun Mendis led the charge for Akbar Brothers with 18 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Chenura De Alwis added 17 points to the tally, while Shehan Udayanga posted a valiant 22 points for Fairfirst. Dimitri Grebe anchored Akbar Brothers with strong leadership, with Hiran Wijesooriya captaining Fairfirst.

Earlier in the tournament Akbar Brothers beat Sampath Bank (82-71), Seylan Bank (91-68) David Pieris (110-78) and Seylan Bank in the semi final (83-60)

The final, held at the Royal College Indoor Sports Complex, saw a vibrant turnout of supporters as Akbar Brothers proved their championship mettle with teamwork, resilience, and clinical execution.

Akbar Brothers – Dimitri Grebe (Captain), Dasun Mendis, Chenura De Alwis, Randil Henry, Taher Akbarally, Selvam Savarimuttu, Franklyn Morais, Sanketha Jayarathne, Jeewan Priyankera , Praneeth Udumalagala, Ajith Kuruppu (Coach), Adrian Gabriel (Asst. Coach)

Fairfirst Insurance – Hiran Wijesooriya (Captain), Shehan Udayanga , Lakshan Kulathunga, Roshan Randima, Arnold Brent, Isuru Perera, Denzil Nicholas, Nimesh Fernando, Keshawa Perera, Charaka Anuhas, Asanga Perera (Coach)