Sports
Walking away with grace
Rex Clementine in Galle
With runs drying up like a parched wicket under the blazing sun, the writing had been on the wall for Dimuth Karunaratne. Before the selectors could raise the finger, he walked, announcing his retirement – a decision so typical of a man known for his pragmatism. Once again, he put the team ahead of himself, just as he always had.
It was the kind of selflessness you’d expect from someone who, two years ago, voiced his dismay when the selectors failed to name a successor at the end of the Test Championship cycle. He believed that a new skipper should take the reins when the next cycle began, setting fresh goals and charting a bold course. Such integrity is a rare commodity in modern cricket. In fact in any walk of life. Dimuth wasn’t power hungry. He always saw the larger picture. Ranil has so much to learn from Dimuth.
Dimuth’s career, spanning 15 years, was largely blemish-free – a remarkable feat in an era where cricketers live under the unrelenting glare of public scrutiny. The only blot on his copybook was a road accident that saw him charged with drunk driving.
But unlike some of his peers, he didn’t attempt a cover-up. He faced the music, compensated the affected party, accepted Sri Lanka Cricket’s heavy fine, admitted his fault, and moved on. It was the kind of accountability that set him apart.
Beyond that, his discipline was second to none. Never late for a training session. Never embroiled in a feud – be it with teammates, coaches, selectors, or even reporters. He played the game the right way, walking away with the respect of both his own dressing room and his adversaries. The Aussies, a side that does not hand out compliments easily, gave him a rousing guard of honour in his farewell Test – a fitting tribute.
These Karunaratnes, they are a fine lot. His father, Lal, worked at the Road Passenger Transport Authority, while his mother, Chandrika, was a devoted homemaker. His younger sister, Dilki, settled in Australia a few years ago. From their early days in Maradana, the family moved to the more affluent suburb of Pelawatta. But no matter how far Dimuth’s cricketing journey took him, he remained rooted in family values. The sight of his mother holding onto his hand during the presentation in Galle before his 100th Test was a moment that tugged at the heartstrings.
Dimuth, the man, will be celebrated even more than Dimuth, the cricketer – and that is a rare thing to say about a modern-day subcontinental player.
He was Sri Lanka’s crisis man, the go-to leader when chaos reigned. He took charge when deep divisions had fractured the team – the selectors keen on asserting their authority, the team management desperate to stick to their blueprint. Dimuth was the bridge between the two warring camps, and his ability to unite them bore fruit in the form of unprecedented success.
His crowning glory as captain came in 2019 when he led Sri Lanka to a historic Test series victory in South Africa. No other Asian team – not even Pakistan with their arsenal of fast bowlers, nor India with their batting juggernauts – had conquered the Proteas in their own backyard. That triumph remains one of Sri Lanka’s greatest feats.
Dimuth’s leadership style was unique, understated yet effective. When you speak of great captains, you think of Imran Khan’s charisma, Mike Brearley’s tactical genius, Arjuna Ranatunga’s defiance, or Ian Chappell’s steely resolve. Dimuth possessed none of those traits in abundance, yet he skippered with quiet authority, proving that leadership comes in many forms.
In the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s team was so divided that the selectors, desperate for unity, thrust Dimuth into the ODI squad – despite the fact that he hadn’t played a 50-over game for over four years. Such was the faith in his ability to bring order to the chaos.
As an opening batsman, he was a purist’s delight – disciplined, resolute, and blessed with the ability to bat long. He was a throwback to an era when opening the innings was an act of endurance, not just aggression. But it must be said – he underachieved with the bat. With his technique and temperament, he should have averaged comfortably over 40. Yet, as Father Time tightened its grip, the big scores began to elude him. Cricket, after all, is a game where even the best eventually get beaten.
Still, what a career it has been. Dimuth Karunaratne – the selfless leader, the crisis man, the gentleman cricketer. A man who cared deeply for his parents, his mates, and his beloved SSC. A man who, in both life and cricket, stayed true to his middle name – Frank.
Senegal stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, and win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), amid farcical scenes in the final.
Midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner on Sunday, after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing the last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.
Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw ordered his players off, and it was talisman Sadio Mane who persuaded them to return.
The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner kick five minutes into stoppage time.
Officials and players jostled with each other while the referee consulted the touchline screen, and then again when Senegal walked off.
Once the players returned to the field, Diaz inexplicably tried a Panenka-style chip, and his soft penalty effort sailed tamely into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Senegal’s actions will be seen as a major blight on an otherwise successful tournament, although defeat continues Morocco’s poor record in the tournament, which they only previously won 50 years ago.
The Senegal team had initially been riled by the referee’s decision to disallow for a foul a goal they scored in the second added minute, when Abdoulaye Seck headed off the post at a corner, and Ismaila Sarr nodded in the rebound.
After Diaz’s penalty miss, however, it felt almost inevitable that a galvanised Senegal would go on to score, and they did so in the fourth minute of extra time to stun the home fans in the crowd of 66,526 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye.
The Villarreal midfielder held off the backtracking Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi as he advanced towards the box, before beating goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb strike into the top corner.
Morocco were distraught, in particular Diaz, who was promptly substituted.
They could still have forced a penalty shootout, with Nayef Aguerd heading against the crossbar in the second half of extra time.
But it was not to be for the hosts, who had been dreaming of winning the title in front of their own fans to end a 50-year wait to become African champions for just the second time.
(Aljazeera)
Contrasting half-centuries from Oman Sadat and Mahboob Khan set up Afghanistan’s 13 run win over West Indies. They wrapped up the win when Nooristani Omarzai bagged his fourth wicket. With two wins in as many games, Afghanistan have locked in their Super Sixes spot.
After Afghanistan opted to bat, Sadat and Khalid Ahmadzai put on 86 for the opening wicket before Vitel Lawes, the sixth bowler West Indies used in 18 overs, created a brief stutter. He struck three times in eight overs as Afghanistan lost 3 for 24. Mahboob then steadied the ship in Sadat’s company, adding 77 for the fourth wicket. While Sadat took 68 balls to get to his fifty, Mahboob got there in 54, before accelerating. Mahboob scored 36 off his next 15 balls as Afghanistan scored 79 off the last ten overs to post 262 for 7.
In reply, only Jewel Andrew, who has played eight internationals for West Indies’ senior side, and 15 CPL matches, offered some resistance. He scored 57 off 70 balls, laced with four fours and three sixes, and was the eighth wicket to fall with the score on 101.
West Indies had lost their first four wickets inside 11 overs. While Wahidullah Zadran started the slide in the first powerplay with his offspin, seamer Omarzai’s strikes through the middle overs was too much for West Indies, who were bowled out for 124.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan Under 19s 262 for 6 in 50 overs (Osman Sadat 88, Mahboob Khan 86; Jakeem Pollard 3-39, Vitel Lawes 3-48) beat West Indies Under 19s 124 in 33.2 overs (Jewel Andrew 57; Nooristani Omarzai 4-16, Khatir Stanikzai 3-20, Wahidullah Zadran 3-36) by 138 runs
[Cricinfo]
England have confirmed their place in the Super Sixes of the Under 19 World Cup 2026 after crushing hosts Zimbabwe to register successive wins in the group stage. Captain Thomas Rew (86*) and Ben Mayes (77*) led the chase of 209 in Harare. England asked Zimbabwe to bat first, and struck third ball as Alex French got Nathaniel Hlabangana for a duck.
From there onwards, each time a partnership looked stable for Zimbabwe, England hit back to disrupt their momentum. There were stands of 30, 45 and 32 for the second, third and fourth wickets, respectively, with Luke Hands, Farhan Ahmed and Ralphie Albert among the wickets.
All Zimbabwe batters from Nos. 3-6 scored at least 30 but none passed captain Simbarashe Mudzengerere’s 45 not out. England’s Manny Lumsden got three wickets.
In reply, England got off to a quick start. They were two down within seven overs, but had also scored 48. Rew and Mayes had got together on the fifth ball of that over, and their union remained unbroken on 167. Rew was the first to get to fifty off 30 balls by smashing Dhruv Patel for a six in the 18th over. Mayes got a run-a-ball half-century in the 22nd over, as England clubbed the final 64 runs in seven overs to win with a whopping 22 overs to spare.
Zimbabwe’s loss came after their first game, against Scotland, was washed out. They face Pakistan next, and could find it tough to enter the next round.
Brief scores:
England Under 19s 209 for 2 in 28 overs (Thomas Rew 86*, Ben Mayes 77*; Shelton Mazvitorera 2-54) beat Zimbabwe Under 19a 208 for 9 in 50 overs (Simbarashe Mudzengerere 45*; Manny Lumsden 3-38, Farhan Ahmed 2-33, Ralphie Albert 2-49) by eight wickets
[Cricinfo]
PM departs Sri Lanka to participate in the 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
Several killed in Kabul blast, Afghan Interior Ministry says
Senegal beat hosts Morocco to win AFCON 2025 after farcical walk-off
At least six killed in Pakistan as fire rips through Karachi shopping mall
Chile declares ‘state of catastrophe’ as deadly wildfires menace cities
At least 21 killed in Spain after crash involving high-speed trains
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Editorial2 days agoIllusory rule of law
-
News3 days agoUNDP’s assessment confirms widespread economic fallout from Cyclone Ditwah
-
Business5 days agoKoaloo.Fi and Stredge forge strategic partnership to offer businesses sustainable supply chain solutions
-
Editorial3 days agoCrime and cops
-
Features2 days agoDaydreams on a winter’s day
-
Editorial4 days agoThe Chakka Clash
-
Features2 days agoSurprise move of both the Minister and myself from Agriculture to Education
-
Business5 days agoSLT MOBITEL and Fintelex empower farmers with the launch of Yaya Agro App