Sports

Salman Agha 105 not out, Hussain Talat half-century set Sri Lanka 300

Published

3 months ago

2025/11/12

Salman Agha scored his second ODI century

A century from Salman Agha and a maiden ODI fifty from Hussain Talat helped revive a flagging Pakistan innings, as their 138-run fifth-wicket stand saw the hosts post 299 for 5 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

The pair came together at 95 for 4 in the 24th over, but by the time their partnership came to an end, they had taken Pakistan to 233 for 5 midway through the 44th over.

Agha then turned on the afterburners alongside Mohammed Nawaz, as Pakistan managed 104 runs off the last 10 overs to set Sri Lanka a 300-run target, which, if achieved, would be the second highest successful chase at the Rawalpindi Stadium.

Agha brought up his second ODI ton with a gentle dab behind point for a single off his 83rd delivery, but the ball prior to that highlighted the confidence with which he was batting – sweeping an attempted Dushmantha Chameera yorker for four. That Chameera over, the 48th of the innings, would end up going for 20 – the most expensive of the innings – as Nawaz, who had entered following the fall of Talat, also began to find his range in a cameo worth 36 not out off 23; their partnership of 66 came off just 40 deliveries.

Prior to Agha and Talat’s intervention, however, Sri Lanka had choked the Pakistan innings for large parts. Miserly opening spells from Asitha Fernando and Chameera ensured just 28 runs were scored inside the opening powerplay, and while just one wicket fell in that period the introduction of Wanidu Hasaranga saw wickets fall at a canter. He ended up with figures of 3 for 54, with Asitha and Maheesh Theekshana the only other wicket-takers.

Introduced into the attack in the 14th over, it wasn’t until his third over that Hasaranga was able to make his first breakthrough. Fakhar Zaman, who had earlier in the over skipped out and belted one over long-on for a six, was looking to break out of his early shell, but in attempting to repeat the trick he missed a wide one and found himself duly stumped for a 55-ball 32.

New batter Mohammed Rizwan was Hasaranga’s next victim, trapped lbw by a googly. A couple of overs later Hasaranga got the prize scalp of Babar Azam. It was his trademark googly doing the damage, as Babar sought to drive a floated one outside off only to see it sneak through his bat and pad.

Hasaranga might have had another to close out the over after he had Talat rapped on the front knee-roll only for the umpire to turn down the appeal. Ball-tracking showed it would have crashed into leg stump, but Sri Lanka had burnt both their reviews early on – both for lbw appeals where the ball pitched outside leg.

That proved to be a sliding doors moment of sorts as Pakistan’s fortunes gradually began to shift, and it was also some much-needed luck for Talat in particular, whose place in the side had come under increasing scrutiny of late – his six innings in ODIs leading up to this game had seen him score 107 runs with a high score of 41.

But with Pakistan in need of resuscitation, he and Agha set about rebuilding. Boundaries weren’t the aim, rather the focus was on running between the wickets. Thirty-two of Talat’s 62 runs came in either ones of twos; Agha was alongside him in lockstep having run 40 singles and 13 twos by the end of the innings.

The plan was clear at this point: keep wickets intact for the final overs and then launch. And in this instance the execution was perfect. Sri Lanka, who might have regretted their decision to not go with a genuine fifth bowling option, were left requiring Janith Liyanage to bowl eight overs of his part-time seam after Charith Asalanka was taken for 18 in his two solitary overs.

Liyanage, to his credit, gave away 48 runs during his efforts, though with Sri Lanka in the ascendancy at the halfway point of the innings, their need to get through the their fifth bowler quota allowed Talat and Agha to settle in nicely.

And while Talat was unable to see the innings to its close, Agha ensured he remained unbeaten to get his side to a competitive total after they were asked to bat first. Whether that will be enough on an ostensibly good batting track, one where dew is expected to come to the fore later on, remains to be seen.

[Cricinfo]

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Sports

Nestomalt run for Sri Lanka on Sunday

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026, organised by SingleTree Events, will be held in the city of Galle on 1 February 2026, from 6.00 a.m. onwards, bringing together runners, families, and communities for a morning fuelled by purpose and energy.

‎Designed to be inclusive and high-spirited, the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026 features four running categories catering to all ages and fitness levels – from seasoned athletes to families running together. The categories include: 21.1 km – Elite Run, 10 km – Challengers Run, 5 km – Fun Run, 2 km – Family Run.

‎More than just a race, the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon carries a powerful cause at its heart, with all proceeds directed to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, reinforcing the collective spirit of giving back and thriving together as a nation.

‎True to its legacy, Nestomalt continues to champion active lifestyles, encouraging Sri Lankans to push boundaries and take on life with Power, Strength, and Energy. By supporting initiatives like the Nestomalt Run for Sri Lanka Marathon, the brand reaffirms its commitment to uplifting communities while inspiring healthier, more active living. With energy in every step and purpose in every run, Nestomalt is set to help power a memorable start to Run for Sri Lanka Marathon 2026.

‎Guided by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé Lanka has been enriching Sri Lankan lives for 120 years, nourishing generations with tasty, and nutritious products across the country.

Sports

Kumarasiri shines as Sri Sumangala earn first innings points against Ananda

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Left-arm spinner Mevindu Kumarasiri came up with another impressive bowling performance, taking seven wickets as Sri Sumangala College Panadura took first innings points against Ananda College in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket encounter at Ananda Mawatha on Thursday.

‎In the Tier A matche concluded on Thursday, Mahanama and Prince of Wales took first innings wins.

‎Results

‎Tier B

‎Sri Sumangala take first innings points at Ananda Mawatha

‎Scores

‎Sri Sumangala 272 all out in 71 overs (Pansilu Silva 35, Neksha Iddamalgoda 86, Bihanga Silva 30, Umantha Akash 21, Sadika Damyuru 24, Dinusha Dulanjana 23; Chamathka Irusha 2/35, Himira Kudagama 4/34) and 139 all out in 51.1 overs (Neksha Iddamalgoda 38; Himira Kudagama 6/54)

‎Ananda 208 all out in 66 overs (Danindu Sellapperuma 75, Himira Kudagama 26, Kithma Vidanapathirana 29, Lithma Perera 29, Rashan Dilaksha 21; Mevindu Kumarasiri 7/69, Bihanga Silva 2/32) and 17 for no loss in 4 overs

‎Tier A

‎Cambrians on first innings win against Maris Stella at Kadirana

‎Scores

‎Prince of Wales 310 all out in 76.3 overs (Suwas Fernando 84, Pramesh Fernando 88, Oshan de Silva 49; Hashmika Nethshan 6/24) and 167 for 5 in 37 overs (Oshan de Silva 40, Pramesh Fernando 75, Pasan Cooray 31; Savindu Sathsara 3/29)

‎Maris Stella

257 all out in 72.3 overs (Hansaka Perera 20, Kavith de Silva 91, Hashmika Nethshan 36; Nethul Anuhas 4/72, Oshan de Silva 3/20)

‎Mahanama post 342 for nine at Uyanwatta

‎‎Scores

‎St. Servatius’ 237 all out in 71.1 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 64, Thathsilu Bandara 92; Geeth Sandaruwan 2/41, Sithum Vihanga 4/57) and and 126 for 7 decl. in 41 overs (Tharul Weerarathne 57n.o., Binal Nethmaka 24; Geeth Sandaruwan 3/24, Kaushika Thilakarathne 2/09, Thenuja Rashmin 2/28)

‎Mahanama 116 for 1 overnight 342 for 9 decl. in 73 overs (Sineth Veerarathne 75, Kaushika Thilakarathne 35, Venura Kaveethra 27, Sanul Weerarathne 34, Sithuma Vihanga 24, Gimantha Dissanayake 71, Thaviru Perera 38; Samiru Gimhan 3/52, Praveen Madushanka 3/84, Lasindu Ramanayake 2/122) (RF)

Sports

Sri Lanka draft in KJP for England T20Is

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/30

Thilina Walpola

Kusal Janith Perera has returned to the T20 side.

Sanity has finally prevailed as Kusal Janith Perera has been drafted into Sri Lanka’s T20 squad for the series against England at Pallekele, a move that strongly suggests the prolific left-hander remains firmly in the World Cup frame. Eyebrows had been raised when selectors earlier signalled that KJP was not part of their World Cup plans, but with time running out and options thinning, they have been forced into a late U-turn. The first T20I gets underway today.

Pavan Rathnayake has also been rewarded with a call-up following his maiden international hundred in the final ODI against England, but Kamindu Mendis, groomed for months as a key cog in Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans, has been left out in the cold. With selections changing course at the eleventh hour, much of the long-term planning ahead of a home World Cup appears to have gone for a toss.

Despite the recent selection jitters, Sri Lanka have made notable strides in white-ball cricket over the last two years, underlined by series wins over heavyweight opponents such as India and Australia. With a bit of patience and perseverance, the team has shown signs of rediscovering the glory days when they were trendsetters of the game, from pinch-hitting at the top to wide yorkers at the death and mystery spinners running through line-ups.

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, rested during the ODI series, has been recalled for the T20Is and is expected to be a key weapon at the World Cup. Blessed with extra pace and the ability to hit the deck hard, Chameera brings both venom and accuracy, a rare combination in the shortest format. While Sri Lanka boast several pace options, Chameera remains the strike bowler capable of rattling batters and breaking partnerships.

Star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was rested for the first two ODIs, returned for the series decider but struggled towards the back end of the contest. Captain Dasun Shanaka attributed his struggles to cramps, playing down concerns ahead of the T20 campaign.

While Colombo served up sweltering heat and humidity during the ODIs, conditions in the hill capital are expected to be far more forgiving. Pallekele is set for full houses across the three-match series, adding to the carnival atmosphere.

England, ranked third in the world, arrive as leading contenders for the World Cup semi-finals. They are unbeaten in their last seven bilateral series, winning five and drawing two and will see the Sri Lanka tour as a crucial tune-up.

Pallekele will host seven matches of the T20 World Cup, including the high-profile clash between Sri Lanka and Australia scheduled for February 16.

Rex Clementine ✍️
at Pallekele