Cricket

Sri Lankan Cricket Team Stranded in Fort Lauderdale Amidst Devastating FloodsFort Lauderdale, Florida, has declared a state of emergency due to life-threatening flash floods that have crippled the city. The torrential downpours have grounded hundreds of flights, including those carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team, which is currently participating in the T20 World Cup.The team was scheduled to depart from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean islands on Wednesday, but the heavy rain and flooding have forced them to delay their departure. The first game in Fort Lauderdale, Sri Lanka vs Nepal, was also washed out due to the inclement weather.Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida issued the declaration, stating that the rainfall and flooding have significantly impacted critical infrastructure, including major interstates, roadways, airports, and schools.The Sri Lankan team is expected to fly out on Thursday, but their departure remains uncertain as the flooding continues to affect the city's operations.Meanwhile, the Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale is set to host key games this week, with Pakistan and USA vying for a place in the next round from Group A.USA will face Ireland on Friday, while Pakistan will take on the same opponents on Sunday. If USA defeats Ireland or the match is washed out, they will join India as the second team from Group A to qualify for the Super 8. This would render Pakistan's game on Sunday irrelevant.However, if USA loses to Ireland, Pakistan will have a chance to secure their own destiny when they face the Irish on Sunday.India currently leads Group A with six points from three games, while USA is second with four points. Pakistan's NRR is now better than USA's, meaning they can qualify for the Super Eight stage even if they beat Ireland by a narrow margin on Sunday, provided USA loses to Ireland on Friday.The flooding in Fort Lauderdale has not only stranded the Sri Lankan team but has also cast doubt on the upcoming matches scheduled to be played in the city. The safety and well-being of the players and spectators remain paramount, and the authorities will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions accordingly.

Sri Lanka's cricket team has filed a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the treatment and conditions they have faced during the T20 World Cup in the United States.Sports Minister Harin Fernando alleged that other teams have received preferential treatment, citing a seven-hour flight delay experienced by the Sri Lankan squad at a Florida airport. He also claimed that upon arriving in New York, the team was accommodated over 90 minutes away from the practice stadium, while the Indian team was housed much closer."Sri Lanka Cricket has complained to the ICC," Fernando told parliament. "Different countries are being treated differently. We have called for an explanation from the organizers of the tournament."The Sri Lankan team's struggles have been compounded by poor practice facilities and subpar wickets, according to former captain Angelo Mathews. "The last four to five days have been very challenging for us," Mathews said. "We had to cancel practices because a flight was delayed. We are not going to use this as an excuse, but we want to put all this behind us and do well at the next match."Sri Lanka's parliament has expressed dismay over the alleged conditions, with opposition leader Sajith Premadasa stating, "We stand against this injustice, we should not allow this."The sports ministry has sent an officer to the United States to check on the team's welfare. Sri Lanka's next group match is against Bangladesh on Saturday.

Lanka Premier League Terminates Contract with Dambulla Thunders Amid Corruption AllegationsThe Lanka Premier League (LPL) has taken swift action by terminating its contract with the Dambulla Thunders franchise with immediate effect. This decision comes after the arrest of Thunders owner Tamim Rahman in Colombo on Wednesday.Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi origin, was apprehended by the Sri Lankan police prior to boarding a flight. The arrest is reportedly linked to corruption within the LPL, although specific details remain unclear at this time.The LPL has not released an official statement regarding the termination of the Thunders' contract. However, sources within the league have confirmed the move, citing the severity of the allegations against Rahman.The Dambulla Thunders were one of five teams participating in the inaugural edition of the LPL, which is currently underway in Sri Lanka. The franchise had won two of its first three matches before the news of Rahman's arrest broke.The LPL is a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket league that was launched in 2020. The tournament features some of the world's top cricketers, including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Lasith Malinga.The arrest of Rahman and the subsequent termination of the Dambulla Thunders' contract have cast a shadow over the LPL. The league has pledged to cooperate fully with the police investigation and has vowed to take all necessary steps to maintain the integrity of the competition.

Sri Lanka, fresh from securing their berth in the Women's T20 World Cup, will host West Indies for a three-match ODI and T20I series from June 15-28. The tour will serve as a crucial preparation for Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 Asia Cup, which they will also host starting July 20.For Sri Lanka, the series against West Indies will be their second bilateral T20I assignment this year, following their successful tour of South Africa in March and April. They are also scheduled to tour Ireland in August.West Indies, on the other hand, recently concluded a month-long tour of Pakistan, where they emerged victorious in both the ODI and T20I series. This tour of Sri Lanka will be their final competitive outing before the Women's T20 World Cup in October.The last time these two teams met in a bilateral series was in 2017, when West Indies swept Sri Lanka in both T20Is and ODIs. West Indies hold a dominant head-to-head record against Sri Lanka in T20Is, with 18 wins to Sri Lanka's 14. In ODIs, the contest has been closer, with West Indies winning 18 and Sri Lanka 14.However, this tour promises to be a more competitive affair, with Sri Lanka entering the series on the back of historic series wins over England, New Zealand, and South Africa in the past year.The ODI series, which is part of the ICC Women's Championship, will be played in Galle from June 15-21. The Women's Championship serves as a pathway to the 2025 ODI World Cup, with the top four teams apart from hosts India earning direct qualification. West Indies are currently seventh on the Women's Championship points table, while Sri Lanka are eighth.The T20Is will be held in Hambantota from June 24-28.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a significant pay hike for its international cricketers in a bid to boost the country's performance ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The move aims to incentivize players and sustain the red-ball format of the game amidst the growing popularity of white-ball cricket.The pay hike applies to all categories of players, with the biggest increase being awarded to Test cricketers. The match fee for a Test match has been increased by 100% on a merit basis, with players receiving $15,000 for a win, $12,500 for a draw, and $10,000 for a loss.SLC CEO Ashley de Silva emphasized the importance of safeguarding the legacy of Test cricket, stating that the pay hike is a testament to the board's commitment to the format.The match fee for ODIs and T20Is has also been increased by 25%, from $3000 to $4000. Additionally, SLC has introduced a one-time payment for players who achieve top rankings in the ICC Player Rankings.The 41 contracted players include Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Nishan Madushka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Janith Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nuwan Thushara, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Binura Fernando, Shevon Daniel, Niroshan Dickwella, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando, and Avishka Fernando.The pay hike is expected to boost the morale of the Sri Lankan cricket team and provide them with the necessary motivation to perform well in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and other international tournaments.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has significantly expanded its central contract list, awarding deals to 41 male players, a substantial increase from the previous 29. The contracts are divided into six categories: A1, A2, B2, C1, C2, and 'A' Team, with performance-based clauses incorporated.SLC has opted not to disclose the specific categories assigned to each player, aiming to maintain player morale. The expanded list includes several new faces, such as Shevon Daniel, Dushan Hemantha, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Sahan Arachchige, despite their limited national team appearances.In total, 18 new players have been added, while six have been dropped, including notable absentees Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Danushka Gunathilaka. Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Pradeep, Minod Bhanuka, and Lakshan Sandakan are the other four players who have not been retained from the previous contract cycle.A key aspect of the new contracts is the emphasis on red-ball cricket. Test match fees have been increased by 100%, incentivizing players to prioritize the longer format. However, payments will be merit-based, with varying structures depending on results. ODI and T20I match fees have received a flat 25% increase.In addition to enhanced daily allowances, players will receive one-time payments for topping the ICC player rankings as a batter, bowler, or allrounder. Players who make it into the top ten but do not reach the summit will also be rewarded.The full list of centrally contracted Sri Lankan men's players includes:* Dimuth Karunaratne* Dinesh Chandimal* Wanindu Hasaranga* Angelo Mathews* Kusal Mendis* Dhananjaya De Silva* Charith Asalanka* Pathum Nissanka* Dasun Shanaka* Maheesh Theekshana* Kasun Rajitha* Prabath Jayasuriya* Dushmantha Chameera* Dilshan Madushanka* Asitha Fernando* Sadeera Samarawickrama* Ramesh Mendis* Kamindu Mendis* Chamika Karunaratne* Dunith Wellalage* Lahiru Kumara* Nishan Madushka* Matheesha Pathirana* Kusal Janith Perera* Vishwa Fernando* Jeffrey Vandersay* Pramod Madushan* Janith Liyanage* Akila Dananjaya* Praveen Jayawickrama* Nuwan Thushara* Sahan Arachchige* Nuwanidu Fernando* Dushan Hemantha* Lasith Embuldeniya* Binura Fernando* Shevon Daniel* Niroshan Dickwella* Ashen Bandara* Oshada Fernando* Avishka Fernando

Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka's star all-rounder, will lead the team in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Hasaranga missed the entire 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season due to a heel injury but has since made his return in Sri Lanka's ongoing T20 practice games.Sri Lanka has been placed in Group D of the T20 World Cup alongside Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, and South Africa. They will kick off their campaign against South Africa on June 3 in New York before facing Bangladesh in Dallas on June 8. Their final two group matches will be against Nepal in Florida on June 12 and Netherlands in St Lucia on June 17.Hasaranga's return to fitness is a major boost for Sri Lanka, who will be looking to make a strong impact in the tournament. The 26-year-old is one of the most talented all-rounders in the world, capable of both destructive batting and economical bowling.Sri Lanka's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup is as follows:* Wanindu Hasaranga (captain)* Charith Asalanka (vice-captain)* Kusal Mendis* Pathum Nissanka* Kamindu Mendis* Sadeera Samarawickrama* Angelo Mathews* Dasun Shanaka* Dhananjaya de Silva* Maheesh Theekshana* Dunith Wellalage* Dushmantha Chameera* Matheesha Pathirana* Nuwan Thushara* Dilshan MadushankaTraveling reserves:* Asitha Fernando* Vijayakanth Viyaskanth* Bhanuka Rajapaksa* Janith LiyanageSri Lanka will be hoping to improve on their performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they failed to progress beyond the Super 12 stage. With Hasaranga leading the charge, they will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team has set their sights on reaching the semi-finals of both the T20 and ODI World Cups, according to captain Chamari Athapaththu. The team has shown impressive form in recent months, winning T20I series against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa, and reaching the final of the Asian Games. They also won ODI series against Bangladesh and New Zealand and are in contention for automatic qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup.Athapaththu's confidence stems from her team's recent performances, including her own record-breaking 195 not out against South Africa. This innings not only marked the third-highest individual score in women's ODIs but also led Sri Lanka to the highest successful chase in the format.The team's success is also attributed to the contributions of young players like Nilakshika Silva, who scored an unbeaten 50 against South Africa. Athapaththu believes that her team has the potential to achieve great things, especially if they continue to play with the same determination and skill.However, Athapaththu is also aware of the challenges ahead. Sri Lanka must perform well against West Indies and Ireland to secure a top-five finish in the Women's Championship table and qualify for the ODI World Cup. They must also navigate the T20 World Cup qualifiers in the UAE, where they are grouped with Thailand, Scotland, Uganda, and USA.Despite the challenges, Athapaththu remains optimistic about her team's chances. She is particularly excited about the prospect of seeing another Sri Lankan batter surpass her record score. She believes that such achievements can inspire the next generation of cricketers and help Sri Lanka become a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

Sri Lanka's fast bowling woes continue as Kasun Rajitha has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh due to a back injury. Asitha Fernando will replace Rajitha in the squad, who had also been sidelined with a hamstring injury but has recovered ahead of schedule.Rajitha sustained the injury during the first Test in Sylhet, where he played through the pain and claimed eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings. However, the injury has forced him to return home for rehabilitation."Kasun Rajitha will not be available for the second test match as the player has suffered an injury to his left upper back area," stated an SLC media release. "Kasun will return home to start rehabilitation work."Fernando, who has 41 wickets in 13 Tests, has a strong record against Bangladesh, having taken 13 wickets in two Tests at an average of 16.61. His inclusion will provide Sri Lanka with a much-needed boost in the absence of Rajitha.Rajitha's injury is the latest in a string of setbacks for Sri Lanka's fast bowling unit. Dilshan Madushanka was recently ruled out of the IPL with a hamstring injury, while Matheesha Pathirana missed Chennai Super Kings' opening game with a similar issue. Dushmantha Chameera is also a long-term absentee after injuring his left quadricep earlier this year.Sri Lanka will be hoping that Fernando can step up and fill the void left by Rajitha in the second Test, which begins on March 30 in Chattogram.