Cricket

Sri Lanka's ODI squad for the upcoming series against West Indies has undergone significant changes, with uncapped allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay earning call-ups. Wickramasinghe replaces Chamika Karunaratne, who has fallen out of favor with the new selection and coaching regime. Vandersay comes in for offspinner Akila Dananjaya.Wickramasinghe's inclusion is a testament to his impressive performances in the Lanka Premier League, where he showcased his batting prowess. He made his T20I debut against West Indies but was later replaced by Dunith Wellalage due to spin-friendly conditions.Mohamed Shiraz, who was a late addition to the squad for the India series, retains his place, while Dilshan Madushanka returns after missing the T20I series against West Indies. However, Matheesha Pathirana, who played all three T20Is against West Indies, has been omitted. Asitha Fernando completes the pace options.The spin attack will be led by Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, with Vandersay and Wellalage providing support. Sri Lanka's batting lineup remains unchanged, with skipper Charith Asalanka leading a formidable unit that includes Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Nishan Madushka.The three-match series will commence on October 20, with all games scheduled to be played in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka Unleashes Batting Fury in Dambulla T20ISri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka set the Dambulla International Stadium ablaze with an extraordinary display of strokeplay in the second T20I against the West Indies on Tuesday. The left-handed opener's blistering knock in the fourth over of the innings left the crowd in awe and sent shockwaves through the opposition.Nissanka's onslaught began with a stroke of luck. He mistimed a heave off Shamar Joseph's first delivery, but the ball deflected off his pads and rolled to the boundary for four leg byes. This fortunate start seemed to ignite a fire within Nissanka, who proceeded to unleash a barrage of boundaries.On the next ball, Nissanka danced down the track and lofted a 138kmph length ball elegantly over extra cover. The following delivery was pulled with brute force over backward square leg, leaving the fielder stranded. Three boundaries were now on the trot, and Nissanka wasn't done yet.The very next ball was drilled straight down the ground through wide mid-off, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. With Joseph visibly shaken, Nissanka took full advantage. The over culminated in style as Nissanka waited on a slower back-of-length ball, dissecting the gap between backward point and short third with pinpoint precision.Six boundaries (including one leg bye) had come off the over, tallying a massive 25 runs! This blitzkrieg propelled Sri Lanka to an aggressive start, with Nissanka finishing his innings on 54 off 49 balls.Nissanka's batting masterclass in the fourth over was a testament to his exceptional talent and fearless approach. It not only set the tone for Sri Lanka's innings but also left an unforgettable mark on the match.

Sri Lanka's batting sensation Kamindu Mendis has once again etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first player to win the ICC Men's Player of the Month award twice in a calendar year. Mendis' exceptional performances in September, where he amassed 451 runs in four Tests at an astonishing average of 90.20, earned him the prestigious accolade.Mendis' month-long brilliance began at The Oval in England, where he played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's consolation victory. His contributions continued in the subsequent series against New Zealand back home, where he played a key role in Sri Lanka's series triumph. Notably, Mendis scored two centuries during this period, further cementing his status as a rising star in the cricketing world.The ICC's statement highlighted Mendis' remarkable achievements, stating that he "beat out tough competition from Sri Lanka teammate Prabath Jayasuriya and Australia's Travis Head to claim the monthly award." Mendis' consistent performances and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him widespread recognition and admiration.Mendis expressed his delight at winning the award for the second time this year, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that have fueled his success. "I am honored to be once again chosen as the ICC Men's Player of the Month," he said. "This accolade brings me immense happiness and pride, as I believe all the hard work that was put into becoming the player that I am today is starting to pay off and being recognized consistently in the global stage."Mendis' hunger for success is evident in his unwavering determination to achieve even greater heights. "This recognition gives me further strength to continue my good work on the cricketing field and aspire for bigger achievements, thus helping my team win games and bring glory to our country and happiness to our fans," he added.During September, Mendis became the first men's player in history to pass fifty in each of the first eight matches of his Test career. His exceptional run-scoring spree continued as he became the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs, matching the legendary Don Bradman's feat of achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.Mendis' most impressive performance of the month came in the second Test against New Zealand, where he scored a dominant 182* in Sri Lanka's mammoth first-innings total of 602/5 declared. His knock played a crucial role in setting up a convincing victory for his team. However, his 114 in the first innings of the first Test of the same series was arguably even more impressive.With Sri Lanka in trouble at 88/3, Mendis' arrival at the crease proved pivotal. His resilient innings, coupled with Angelo Mathews' contribution, helped Sri Lanka recover and eventually win the match by a narrow margin of 63 runs.In eight Tests so far, Mendis has amassed an astonishing 1,004 runs at an exceptional average of 91.27. His tally includes five centuries and four fifties in just 13 innings, with his highest score being 182*. Mendis' consistent performances have not only earned him individual accolades but have also played a significant role in Sri Lanka's recent successes.

Sri Lanka Opts to Bat First Against New Zealand in SharjahIn a crucial match for New Zealand's semi-final hopes, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in Sharjah. Despite being eliminated from contention, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed confidence in her team's ability to end the tournament on a high note.New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine echoed Athapaththu's sentiments, stating that they would have also opted to bat first. Their focus remains on securing a victory rather than boosting their net run rate. Both teams made minor changes to their lineups, with Sri Lanka bringing in left-arm spinner Sachini Nisansala and New Zealand introducing offspinner Leigh Kasperek.The match is being played in challenging weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. The pitch dimensions are 57 and 63 meters square of the wicket, with a 73-meter hit down the ground. As expected in Sharjah, the bounce is expected to be low, favoring the spinners.New Zealand XI:* Suzie Bates* Georgia Plimmer* Amelia Kerr* Sophie Devine (capt)* Brooke Halliday* Maddy Green* Isabella Gaze (wk)* Lea Tahuhu* Leigh Kasperek* Rosemary Mair* Eden CarsonSri Lanka XI:* Chamari Athapaththu (capt)* Vishmi Gunaratne* Harshitha Samarawickrama* Kavisha Dilhari* Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)* Nilakshika Silva* Ama Kanchana* Sachini Nisansala* Sugandika Kumari* Inoshi Priyadharshani* Udeshika Prabodhani

Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies has undergone significant changes, with the return of Bhanuka Rajapaksa and the omission of former captain Dasun Shanaka.Rajapaksa, a middle-order batter, last played for Sri Lanka in January 2023. Despite his recent lack of form, he has been recalled based on his past performances and the team's need for hitters who can finish innings.Shanaka's absence is a notable one, as he has been a key figure in Sri Lanka's T20I setup. However, 22-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who made his debut against India, has retained his spot.Another notable omission is left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka, who has been deemed too expensive in this format. His economy rate of 9.75 after 15 matches is a concern for the team.Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is also missing from the squad due to an injury that has kept him out of competitive cricket since July.The rest of the squad is largely predictable, with legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay making it into the squad after impressing as Wanindu Hasaranga's replacement during the ODI series against India. Hasaranga himself is also back in the fold.Dinesh Chandimal, who was named in the squad against India but has not played a match in this format since 2022, retains his place. His good performances in the Test format may have contributed to his selection.On the pace-bowling front, Sri Lanka have a variety of options, including slingers Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, left-armer Binura Fernando, and right-arm seamer Asitha Fernando.For spin bowling, the team has Hasaranga, Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage to choose from, with overs potentially coming from Kamindu Mendis as well.The T20Is against West Indies will begin on Sunday, with all three matches to be played in Dambulla.

Sri Lanka's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup has left head coach Rumesh Ratnayake frustrated and searching for answers. After losing all three of their matches, Sri Lanka's hopes of reaching the semi-finals have been extinguished.Ratnayake has attributed the team's struggles to a lack of skill and poor execution. "It was bad playing through and through this tournament," he said. "They've been doing poor cricket, and that is not acceptable."The team's batting has been particularly concerning, with captain Chamari Athapaththu failing to score in double figures in any of the three innings. Athapaththu's struggles have been a major factor in Sri Lanka's inability to post competitive totals.Ratnayake believes that the team's preparation was adequate, but that they have failed to execute under pressure. "Our preparation was really good back home," he said. "We played on various types of wickets. We simulated some of those similar situations, but winning those moments, winning those appropriate situations, decision-making along with the skill hasn't been backed up."Despite the setbacks, Ratnayake remains confident in the team's potential. "In the past 22 months, we've worked hard on creating an environment which is conducive for learning," he said. "So we are not only building up in confidence but building up in confidence so that we would back ourselves with the skill as well."Sri Lanka will have one final chance to salvage their tournament when they face New Zealand on Saturday. Ratnayake has described the match as a "prime objective" and has demanded an improved performance from his team.

Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer, has been appointed as the permanent head coach of the Sri Lankan men's cricket team until the conclusion of the 2026 T20 World Cup. This decision comes after Jayasuriya's impressive performance as interim coach since early July.Under Jayasuriya's guidance, Sri Lanka has achieved significant victories in recent months. They secured their first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years, defeated England in a Test match away from home for the first time in a decade, and whitewashed New Zealand 2-0 in home Tests. These results have boosted Sri Lanka's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.Sri Lanka Cricket's Executive Committee stated that Jayasuriya's appointment was based on the team's strong performances under his interim leadership. This is Jayasuriya's first major coaching role, and he has emphasized the importance of creating an environment where players feel free to express themselves.Jayasuriya's previous involvement with the Sri Lankan team was as chief selector, a position he held twice. However, he was banned for two years by the ICC for violating its anti-corruption code.Jayasuriya's first assignment as head coach will be the upcoming limited-overs matches against West Indies in Dambulla and Pallekele. The team will be looking to continue their winning ways under his leadership and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka kicked off the Women's Asia Cup 2023 in Sharjah with a thrilling encounter. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana opted to bat first, citing the slow wicket and low bounce. Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu, on the other hand, was content to chase, given her team's recent success and the abundance of spin options in their arsenal.Pakistan's batting lineup featured Muneeba Ali, Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Diana Baig, and Omaima Sohail. Sri Lanka's team included Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu, Harshita Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sachini Nisansala, and Udeskhika Prabodani.Despite Pakistan's slight edge in the head-to-head record, Sri Lanka had won the last three matches between the two sides. The match was poised to be a close contest, with both teams eager to start the tournament on a positive note.

Bangladesh and Scotland Face Off in Women's Cricket World Cup DebutBangladesh and Scotland will make their historic debuts in the Women's Cricket World Cup on Saturday, February 11, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.Bangladesh Squad:* Nigar Sultana (capt, wk)* Nahida Akter* Murshida Khatun* Shorna Akter* Ritu Moni* Sobhana Mostary* Rabeya Khan* Sultana Khatun* Fahima Khatun* Marufa Akter* Jahanara Alam* Dilara Akter* Taj Nehar* Shathi Rani* Disha BiswasScotland Squad:* Kathryn Bryce (capt)* Chloe Abel* Abbi Aitken-Drummond* Olivia Bell* Sarah Bryce (wk)* Darcey Carter* Priyanaz Chatterji* Katherine Fraser* Saskia Horley* Lorna Jack* Ailsa Lister* Abtaha Maqsood* Megan McColl* Hannah Rainey* Rachel SlaterTournament Form Guide:In the pre-tournament warm-up games, Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka by 33 runs but defeated Pakistan by 23 runs. Scotland, on the other hand, beat Pakistan by eight wickets but lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets.Player to Watch: Nahida AkterNahida Akter, with 99 T20I wickets, is on the cusp of becoming the first Bangladeshi woman and only the third Bangladeshi player overall to reach 100 T20I wickets. Her ability to exploit the right-handed batters in Scotland's lineup could prove crucial for Bangladesh's success.Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: A Battle of Former ChampionsIn the evening match at Sharjah, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, both former champions, will clash in a highly anticipated encounter.Pakistan Squad:* Fatima Sana (capt)* Aliya Riaz* Diana Baig* Gull Feroza* Iram Javed* Muneeba Ali (wk)* Nashra Sandhu* Nida Dar* Omaima Sohail* Sadaf Shamas* Sadia Iqbal* Sidra Amin* Syeda Aroob Shah* Tasmia Rubab* Tuba HassanSri Lanka Squad:* Chamari Athapaththu (capt)* Harshitha Samarawickrama* Vishmi Gunaratne* Kavisha Dilshari* Nilakshika Silva* Hasini Perera* Anushka Sanjeewani (wk)* Sachini Nisansala* Udeshika Prabodhani* Inoshi Priyadharshani* Achini Kulasuriya* Inoka Ranaweera* Shashini Gimhani* Ama Kanchana* Sugandika KumariTournament Form Guide:Pakistan lost both their warm-up games, while Sri Lanka emerged victorious in both.Player to Watch: Chamari AthapaththuChamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka's captain and star batter, will be under the spotlight as her team aims to live up to their status as tournament dark horses. Her leadership and batting prowess will be key to Sri Lanka's success.