Sports

Viren upsets Sachin, Karunaratne brothers reach quarter-finals

Published

2 years ago

2021/02/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

Badminton Nationals 2020

by Reemus Fernando

All three Karunaratne brothers, Olympian and many time national champion Niluka, Test cricketer Chamika and former champion Dinuka reached the quarter-finals as some top ranked players were eliminated in the fourth round of the men’s singles as the Badminton Nationals 2020 continued in Colombo on Friday.

Chamika, who is making a return to badminton from cricket beat number one seed Lochana de Silva 21-11, 21-16 to secure a quarter-final berth against last year finalist Ranthushka Karunathilake.

Karunathilake, the runners-up of the last edition, overcame a first set defeat to oust Chirath Illeperumachchi. Chamika and Ranthushka were set to compete in the quarter-finals late in the evening yesterday.

Niluka, who is seeking qualification to compete in the Tokyo Olympics scored straight set wins against Siyath Senaratne.

Niluka was scheduled to meet Lahiru Weerasinghe in his quarter-final clash also in the evening yesterday.

Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Goonatilleka were probably the biggest casualties in the morning session as they were eliminated by Viren Nettasinghe and former champion Dinuka Karunaratne respectively.

Nettasinghe and Dias were tied 1-1 when they entered the decisive third set. The latter sustained an injury and was forced to retire. Nettasinghe was set to meet Dumindu Abeywickrama in the quarter-finals.

Dinuka had a scare in the first set losing narrowly to Goonatilleka but came back fighting to oust him 21-23, 21-10, 21-10.

Rasindu Hendahewa, Lahiru Weerasinghe and Dumindu Abeywickrama were the others to record wins to complete the quarter-final line up.

Meanwhile in the women’s singles Ashini Fernando turned tables on defending champion Dilmi Dias as she scored 21-15, 21-19 to advance to quarter-finals. Fernando was scheduled to meet Thiyana Vidanarachchi. Evergreen shuttler Chandrika de Silva was set to meet Hasini Ambalangoda in the evening, Sasini Hansamali, Hasara Wijayarathne, Nadeesha Gayanthi and Madushika Dilrukshi were the other quarter-finalists.

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Dominant Sri Lanka claw back to level series

Published

8 hours ago

2023/06/4

Priyan

Sri Lanka came up with a dominant show with both bat and ball to stage a strong comeback and level the three-match series against Afghanistan on Sunday (June 4). Having lost the first ODI, the hosts staged a commendable comeback with their top four laying the platform for a 300-plus total which was then defended with ease as Afghanistan fell short by 132 runs.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 323/6 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 78, Dimuth Karunaratne 52; Mohammad Nabi 2/52) beat Afghanistan 191 in 42.1 overs (Hashmatullah Shahidi 57, Ibrahim Zadran 54; Dhananjaya de Silva 3/39) by 132 runs

Latest News

Mendis fifty headlines strong Lankan batting show

Published

14 hours ago

2023/06/4

Priyan

Mendis top-scored with 78. (Cricbuzz)

Led by a fine half-century from Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka put up a collective effort to post 323/6 having opting to bat against Afghanistan in the second ODI at Hambantota on Sunday (June 4).

Having suffered a heavy defeat in the opening game of the series, the Lankans needed to bounce back strongly. The foundation for a big score was set up by openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka whose 82-run stand set the tone for the innings. Although they fell in quick succession, Mendis kept the momentum going with good support from Sadeera Samarawickrama, with the pair adding 88 for the third wicket.

There was a mini-collapse towards the end but the trio of Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva ensured that the hard work of the top order batters didn’t go to waste. The final six overs produced 68 runs as the hosts got an above-par total on a used surface. Unlike the first ODI, Afghanistan’s bowlers lacked the bite with the spinners being surprisingly inept.

It appears to be another fine batting surface but with the track being used once already, it is on the slower side and the Sri Lankan spinners should get some purchase.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 323-6 (Kusal Mendis 78, Dimuth Karunaratne 52, Nabi 2-52, Fareed 2-61) vs Afghanistan

(Cricbuzz)

Sports

Gundogan scores brace as Man City beat Man United to win FA Cup

Published

18 hours ago

2023/06/4

Priyan

(pic Agencies)

Manchester City’s mission to win a treble of major trophies stayed on track after beating Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final, with the first of Ilkay Gundogan’s two goals coming after just a record 13 seconds.

With City having already retained the Premier League, now only a first-ever Champions League title stands between Pep Guardiola’s team and immortality in English football.

Gundogan, City’s captain, scored the quickest goal in an FA Cup final on Saturday – timed by British broadcaster BBC at 12.91 seconds – only for United midfielder Bruno Fernandes to convert a 33rd-minute penalty against the run of play after Jack Grealish was adjudged to have handled the ball.

If Gundogan’s opener was probably his best goal for City, his 51st-minute winning goal might be one of his scrappiest as he met a cross from Kevin De Bruyne from a free kick with a left-foot volley that bobbled between two United defenders and past goalkeeper David de Gea.

United were looking to protect their proud status as the only team to win the league-FA Cup-European Cup treble, in 1999, but now need a favour from Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 10.

It was the 142nd FA Cup final and the first between the two Manchester clubs, with Prince William and United great David Beckham among those in attendance at England’s national stadium.

(Aljazeera)