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Sri Lanka recovered from an upset tournament-opening loss to qualify for the second round of the ICC T-20 World Cup with a 16-run win over Netherlands yesterday in their last game of the preliminary stage. The former champions were under pressure after the lopsided loss to Namibia last Sunday, but rallied with back-to-back wins over United Arab Emirates and Netherlands to ensure a spot in the Super 12s. The top two teams in each of the first-round groups will join the top eight teams in the next phase. Sri Lanka and Netherlands had two wins apiece in Group A but the Sri Lankans finished with a far superior net run rate. That left the Dutch team needing UAE to beat Namibia to have any chance of advancing. The UAE won the toss in that game, opted to bat first and posted 148 for three.
Sri Lanka won the toss and batted in the first game and posted a competitive 162 for six on a two paced wicket before restricting Netherlands to 146 for nine. Netherlands was on top of the group after opening with narrow wins over Namibia and UAE but wasn’t able to challenge Sri Lanka. The Dutch started off the game well, keeping the Sri Lankan batsmen quiet.
Paceman Paul van Meekeren was the pick of the bowlers, dismissing Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva in successive deliveries, but the Dutch attack faded and conceded 102 runs in the last 10 overs. Kusal Mendis equaled his career best T20 international score of 79 and almost carried his bat through. He faced 44 deliveries and hit five fours and five sixes before being dismissed in the last over. By then, he had done the damage. Netherlands was never really in the run chase, with spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga sharing five wickets between them.
Opener Max O’Dowd batted through the inning but played a mostly lone hand and finished with an unbeaten 71 off 53 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes. Despite qualifying for the second round, Sri Lanka have major injury concerns with three players already ruled out of the tournament. Opening batter Pathum Nissanka didn’t come onto the field as he had been taken for a precautionary scan. He’s nursing a groin injury. Pramod Madushan, who played the game against UAE, is recovering from a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit for the second round.
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Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first in the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Under bright sunshine at the Pindi Stadium, Kusal Mendis, captaining Sri Lanka in Test cricket for the first time, said there was enough green on the pitch to indicate the quicker bowlers could exploit the first session.
“It looks like a fast-bowling wicket and the first session will be very important,” he said. Sri Lanka have opted against fielding spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, going with four fast bowlers instead: Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Milan Rathnayaka. Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis will be their only spin options.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, accepted the first morning would be tough.
Pakistan fielded a new-look side for the second Test in a row, with four debutants for the Test. Batters Tayyab Ariff and Mohammad Taha made their debuts, as did spin-bowling allrounder Arafat Minhas and quick bowler Saqib Khan.
Pakistan remain rooted to the bottom of the table in the current WTC standings. while Sri Lanka are placed seventh.
Pakistan : Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Saqib Khan
Sri Lanka : Kusal Mendis (capt), Lahiru Udara (wk), Passindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, 11 Dilshan Madushanka
For years, Sri Lanka could at least count on Test cricket to keep them afloat in the relative safety of the middle of the ICC rankings. This year, even that comfort has deserted them. A shock series defeat to West Indies, followed by a home loss to India, has left them seventh, with a bruised reputation to repair.
The upcoming series in Pakistan offers a chance to regain some ground. A 2-0 sweep would lift Sri Lanka one place, providing a welcome boost for a side whose opportunities in the longest format are becoming increasingly scarce. When Test appearances come in such small doses, expecting consistency is a tall order.
On the other hand, a 2-0 loss would see them slip down to ninth rank in the world, their worst ever ranking in Test cricket.
Pakistan, too, have blown hot and cold in recent years. Turmoil within their cricket has added to the pressure on a team still searching for its footing. There is an opening here for Sri Lanka, but their batters must show the appetite to seize it.
Too often, the top order has left the lower order to clear up the mess. Those batting at number six and below have performed rescue acts with admirable regularity, but even the most dependable fire brigade cannot be expected to answer every alarm. The specialist batters need to start earning their keep.
Sri Lanka are expected to field a seam heavy attack on surfaces likely to offer pace and carry, with Eshan Malinga in line for his Test debut. Keshara Nuwantha is tipped to take the lone spinner’s place ahead of Prabath Jayasuriya, although Pakistan’s difficulties against left-arm spin make a strong case for retaining the experienced campaigner.
Pakistan have also freshened up their squad, recalling pace bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and bringing in several uncapped players.
The hosts appear convinced that short pitched bowling is Sri Lanka’s Achilles heel and are said to have prepared green surfaces accordingly. That tactic, however, could cut both ways. The tourists have enough pace ammunition of their own to make life uncomfortable for Pakistan’s batters.
Bangladesh tried a similar ploy in 2024, only to watch Sri Lanka walk away with a 2-0 series win.
Continue Reading Sports Manamperi, Fernando clinch SLTA YETI Hard Courts titles Published
Janali Manamperi and St. Peter’s College player Ganuka Fernando emerged champions in the women’s and men’s singles events respectively at the SLTA YETI Hard Courts National 2026, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.
Ganuka Fernando (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)
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