Cricket

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team made a triumphant start to their T20I series against Ireland in Dublin, securing a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the first match. The victory was largely orchestrated by the brilliance of Harshitha Samarawickrama, who smashed an unbeaten 86 off just 45 deliveries.Ireland, after being sent in to bat, posted a competitive total of 145 for 6. Opener Gaby Lewis (39) and Oria Prendergast (29) provided a solid foundation with a 59-run partnership for the second wicket. Captain Laura Delany (25) and Rebecca Stokell (21*) also made valuable contributions.However, Sri Lanka's batting lineup proved too strong for Ireland's bowlers. Samarawickrama, fresh off her top-scoring performance in the Asia Cup final, once again led the charge. She combined with Vishmi Gunaratne (30) for an 83-run opening stand, setting the platform for a successful chase.Samarawickrama continued to dominate the innings, hitting 15 fours and a six. She received support from the rest of the top order, with Nilakshi de Silva (15) and Kavisha Dilhari (14) making useful contributions.Ireland's bowlers struggled to contain Samarawickrama's onslaught. Freya Sargent, Arlene Kelly, and Delany each picked up a wicket, but they were unable to stem the flow of runs.On the bowling front, Sri Lanka's left-arm seam duo of Udeshika Prabhodani and Sugandika Kumari kept Ireland's scoring in check. Offspinner Inoshi Priyadharshani was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 for 35.The victory is a significant boost for Sri Lanka, who are without their star player Chamari Athapaththu. Samarawickrama's 86 not out is the fourth-highest T20I score by a Sri Lanka batter and the highest by anyone other than Athapaththu.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is poised to become the next President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) later this year, as per the organization's rotation policy. The matter was discussed at a recent ACC meeting, with Naqvi emerging as the frontrunner for the position."When the ACC meets later this year, it will confirm that Naqvi will be the next president for a two-year term," a source revealed.Naqvi's appointment will follow the tenure of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who has held the ACC presidency for three consecutive terms. Shah received a one-year extension in January this year.The ACC has recently awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 Asia Cup to India, which will be played in the T20 format. The 2027 edition will be held in Bangladesh in the ODI format.This development sets up two major events in 2025: the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February-March, followed by the Asia Cup. The proximity of these events has reignited discussions and speculations about whether India will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy or whether Pakistan will travel to India for the Asia Cup.Pakistan last toured India for the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2016 T20 World Cup. India, on the other hand, has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.The potential for political tensions to overshadow these events remains a concern. However, the ACC's decision to award the hosting rights to both countries suggests a desire to promote cricket diplomacy and foster goodwill between the two nations.

India has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 Men's Asia Cup cricket tournament in the T20 format, serving as a precursor to the T20 World Cup scheduled in the country in 2026. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced this decision in its Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI).The Asia Cup has traditionally been used as a dress rehearsal for the global event and is played in the same format as the World Cup. The 2023 edition, hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board, was held in a 'Hybrid Model' due to India's refusal to travel to Pakistan. Instead, India played its matches in Sri Lanka.The 2027 Asia Cup will be held in Bangladesh in the ODI format, aligning with the 50-over World Cup scheduled in South Africa that year. Both the T20 Asia Cup in India and the 50-over continental event in Bangladesh in 2027 will comprise 13 games each, with 26 matches allocated in the said period.The ACC's IEOI statement defines the "Men's Asia Cup Tournament" as a biennial senior men's cricket tournament organized and administered by the ACC involving designated Members. It includes participation from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and one Non-Test playing Member of ACC selected through qualifying events.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that India will host the Men's Asia Cup in 2025, marking the return of the tournament to the T20 format. The 2023 edition, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was played in the 50-overs format.The 2025 Men's Asia Cup will feature six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and a sixth team to be determined through a qualifying event. The tournament will consist of 13 matches, with the top two teams advancing to the final.The 2027 edition of the Men's Asia Cup will switch to the ODI format and will be hosted by Bangladesh. Both the 2025 and 2027 tournaments will include six teams, with 13 matches per edition.The next edition of the Women's Asia Cup (15 matches) will also be played in the T20 format and is scheduled for 2026. The 2024 Women's Asia Cup concluded in Dambulla on Sunday, with Sri Lanka winning their maiden title by stunning India in the final.In addition to the Men's and Women's Asia Cups, the ACC will also host four editions of the Under-19 Men's Asia Cup during this period, with each edition staging 15 matches.The ACC has also invited interested parties to submit their Expressions of Interest (IEOI) for ACC Sponsorship Rights for the period from 2024 to 2027. The document mentions that the details of the tournaments, including schedules, dates, years, formats, and venues, are tentative and may be subject to change at the discretion of the ACC.Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Association (ICA) has decided to provide a one-time benefit to 26 former First-Class cricketers who are its members. These cricketers, who have played between 10-24 First-Class matches, are aged more than 70 and are not receiving any gratis from the BCCI or their state association.The ICA is also providing Group Health Insurance (Rs 2.5 lakhs) for its members who have played less than 10 First-Class matches and are not covered by BCCI medical reimbursement.

Chamari Athapaththu, the enigmatic Sri Lankan cricket captain, has put an end to speculation about her international retirement, confirming her intention to lead her team until at least next year's ODI World Cup.Athapaththu, 34, has been a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket for over a decade, amassing an impressive record as both a batter and a leader. Her recent performances at the Asia Cup, where she emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer and guided her team to victory, have further cemented her status as one of the most influential players in the women's game.Despite hinting at a possible retirement in the past, Athapaththu has now clarified that she remains committed to representing Sri Lanka on the international stage. "Hopefully I'll still play till the next 50-over World Cup," she stated in a recent interview.This announcement is a significant boost for Sri Lankan cricket, as Athapaththu's experience and leadership will be invaluable in the team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and the ODI World Cup in India next year.Athapaththu's decision to continue playing is a testament to her unwavering passion for the game and her desire to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers. Her presence in the team will provide stability and guidance, while her exceptional batting skills will continue to be a major asset for Sri Lanka.As Sri Lanka gears up for the challenges ahead, Chamari Athapaththu's commitment to the national team is a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for both players and fans alike.

India vs Nepal: Women's Asia Cup 2024 Match PreviewIndia will face Nepal in their third match of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 on Tuesday, July 23, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The match will commence at 7:00 PM IST.India has had a strong start to the tournament, defeating United Arab Emirates by 78 runs and arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets. They will be aiming for their third consecutive victory against Nepal.Nepal, on the other hand, has had a mixed start. They defeated UAE in their opening game but lost to Pakistan in their second match. They will be looking to bounce back and secure a win against India.Key Players to Watch:* India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur* Nepal: Rubina Chhetry, Sita Rana Magar, Indu BarmaMatch Prediction:India is the clear favorite to win this match. They have a more experienced and talented squad, and they have been in good form in the tournament so far. Nepal will need to play out of their skins to pull off an upset.Live Streaming and Telecast:The India vs Nepal match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on Hotstar.Conclusion:The India vs Nepal match promises to be an exciting contest. India will be looking to continue their winning streak, while Nepal will be aiming to cause an upset. With both teams having something to prove, the match is likely to be a close and competitive affair.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, has opted to bat first in their crucial Asia Cup semi-final clash against Malaysia. The match holds immense significance for both teams, with Sri Lanka aiming to secure a spot in the final and Malaysia seeking their first win of the tournament.Sri Lanka has made significant changes to their lineup, introducing four new players to the XI that defeated Bangladesh in their previous match. Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, and Achini Kulasuriya have been replaced by Ama Kanchana, Inoshi Priyadharshani, and Sachini Nisansala in the bowling department. Kawya Kavindi has also been included in the batting lineup, replacing Hasini Perera.Malaysia, on the other hand, has made a single change, handing a debut to 16-year-old Nur Izzatul Syafiqa in place of Jamahidiya Intan. The Malaysian team is under immense pressure to win this match after suffering a convincing defeat to Thailand in their opening fixture.The Sri Lankan team boasts a strong batting lineup, with Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Kavisha Dilhari being key players to watch. Their bowling attack, led by Ama Kanchana and Inoshi Priyadharshani, will be crucial in containing the Malaysian batters.Malaysia will rely heavily on their captain, Winifred Duraisingam, and wicket-keeper Wan Julia for runs. Their bowling attack, featuring Elsa Hunter and Mahirah Izzati Ismail, will need to step up and restrict the Sri Lankan batters.The match promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a place in the final. Sri Lanka will be the favorites, but Malaysia will be determined to cause an upset and make history.

India's women's cricket team began their title defense in the Asia Cup with a resounding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in Sylhet, Bangladesh.After winning the toss and electing to bowl, India's bowlers led by Deepti Sharma (3/20) restricted Pakistan to a modest total of 108. Pooja Vastrakar (2/22) and Shreyanka Patil (1/17) also contributed with wickets.In response, India's openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (40) put on an aggressive 85-run partnership to set the tone for the chase. Mandhana was particularly impressive, hitting five boundaries off Nashra Sandhu in the seventh over.After the departure of Mandhana and Verma, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (16*) and Jemimah Rodrigues (15*) guided India home with 35 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka's Women's T20 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup has been announced, with the experienced trio of Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, and Anushka Sanjeewani making their return. The trio was rested for the recent series against the West Indies.The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, with 16-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani being the youngest member. Despite her young age, Gimhani has yet to break into the starting XI. However, 18-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne has already established herself as an opening batter alongside skipper Chamari Athapaththu.Other young players in the squad include spin-bowling allrounder Kavisha Dilhari, seamer Kawya Kavindi, and leg spinner Sachini Nisansala. Nisansala's impressive performance against the West Indies earned her a spot in the squad.Sri Lanka's batting strength lies in the partnership between Athapaththu and Gunaratne. Sanjeewani's inclusion strengthens the lower order, while the middle order features Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, and Dilhari.On the bowling front, Sri Lanka relies heavily on spin, with the veteran duo of Inoshi Priyadarshani and Sugandika Kumari leading the attack. Nisansala, Gimhani, Dilhari, and Athapaththu provide additional spin options. Prabodhani and Kulasuriya bolster the pace attack, along with Ama Kanchana and Kavindi.The squad's balance of youth and experience, combined with its strong batting and spin-heavy bowling attack, makes Sri Lanka a formidable contender in the upcoming Asia Cup.