SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(FEBRUARY 2024)
Compiled by Victor Melder
Bangladesh will play two World Test Championship (WTC) matches against Sri Lanka in Sylhet and Chattogram in March. It will be the first time since they started playing at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, that Bangladesh won’t play at that ground in a Test series, as the venue will be busy hosting the Australian women’s side at the end of March. Sri Lanka will arrive in Dhaka on March 1, the same day as the BPL final, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. They will play three T20Is in Sylhet on March 4, 6 and 9. The first two matches are scheduled to start from 6:00pm local time, while the third game is from 3:00pm. The teams will then move to Chattogram to play the three-match ODI series, on March 13, 15 and 18. The first two ODIs are day-night games, while the third ODI starts at 10:00am, the earliest start in an ODI in Bangladesh in the last 11 years. The two teams will return to Sylhet for the first Test from March 22, and then head back to Chattogram for the second Test from March 30. The tour will take place during the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from the early hours till dusk. Last year too, Bangladesh played three T20Is and a Test against Ireland during Ramadan. (Cricinfo)
Sri Lanka Cricket stated the appointment of former Australian First Class Cricketer Craig Howard as the National Spin Bowling Coach. Howard was the spin bowling coach of the New Zealand White Ferns team and the Victorian Men’s First Class team before taking over the new role.He will assume the duties of the national team, starting with the ODI series of the ongoing Afghanistan Tour of Sri Lanka. A Qualified Level 3 Cricket Coach from Cricket Australia, Craig has held a 12-year stint as the Consultant Coach of Cricket Australia. As Cricket Australia’s consultant coach, he has worked on CA’s spin weeks, head of spin bowling for pathways, and national teams. He has also functioned as the assistant coach on tours for the Australia ‘A’, Cricket Australia XI, and Under-19 teams across the men’s and women’s systems. Craig has also worked as the spin bowling coach for the South Australian Redbacks and Adelaide Strikers during a four-year period, spanning from 2011 to 2015. He is assigned a two-year contract, which commenced on February 1. Former Sri Lanka spinner Piyal Wijethunga has done decent duty as National spin coach up to first Afghanistan test at SSC .(Daily News, 6.2.2024)
Sri Lanka beat the touring Afghanistan’s by 10 wickets to win the only Test match, played at the SSC, Colombo. Scores;
Afghanistan, 1st Innings – 198 (Shah 91, Ali Zadran 31, M. Fernando 4/51, A. Fernando 3/24, Jayasuriya 3/67)
Sri Lanka – 1st Innings – 439 (Mathews 141, Chandimal 107, Karunaratne 77, Madushanka 37, Zadran 4/83, Masood 2/76, Ahmad 2/98)
Afghanistan, 2nd Innings – 296 (Zadran 114, Shah 54, Ali Zadran 47, Jamal 41, Jayasuriya 5/107, A. fernando 3/63, Rajitha 2/59)
Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 56/0 (Karunaratne 32no, Madushanka 22)
Player of the Match: Prabath Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka Player Replacement, Concussion sub Rajitha in, Gunasekera out.
Test Debut: Mohammed Saleem, Naveed Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Zia-ur-Rahman (Afghanistan) Chanaka Gunasekera (Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has selected a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan. Former captain Dasun Shanaka has been excluded from the squad, likely to be rested for the series, reliable sources told Daily Mirror. All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne, who missed the recent Zimbabwe series, has been included in the squad, enhancing both the batting and bowling line-up. Except for Dasun’s exclusion and Chamika’s return, there won’t be many major changes in the ODI squad against Afghanistan compared to the squad named for the Zimbabwe series. The ODI series is scheduled to commence on February 9th in Pallekele. Shanaka, who has struggled with form for nearly a year, was stripped of the captaincy after the ODI World Cup, where Sri Lanka failed to finish in the top eight, missing out on the Champions Trophy 2025.
Shanaka’s poor performance with the bat, particularly in ODIs, led to his exclusion. He was included in the last ODI series against Zimbabwe but was dropped for the third ODI due to his inability to return to form. Karunaratne has been selected to fill Shanaka’s absence. He previously replaced Captain Dasun Shanaka in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad last year. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who was added to the recently concluded Zimbabwe ODI squad, will miss the Afghanistan series due to a finger injury. Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to replace him in the playing XI. Sri Lanka Cricket has sent the ODI squad for Sports Minister Harin Fernando for the approval. Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced their 15-member squad for the series. Their premier spinner, Rashid Khan, remains unavailable due to ongoing recovery from back surgery. Young leg-spinner Qais Ahmad has been included to fill the gap. The series promises exciting encounters between two talented cricket nations, with Sri Lanka aiming to build on their recent ODI form while Afghanistan seeks to cause an upset without their star spinner, Khan. (Daily Mirror, 7.2.2024)
The ‘Centre of Excellence’ at the Dambulla Stadium, a significant milestone in the “National Cricket Development Pathway” program aimed at providing equal opportunities to talented Sri Lankan cricketers was inaugurated yesterday (05). The event, chaired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, showcased his commitment to fostering the growth of cricket in the country. President Wickremesinghe, unveiling the plaque and officially opening the centre, conducted an extensive observation tour. The facility is well-equipped, featuring a hydrotherapy unit and a state-of-the-art medical centre dedicated to sports injury rehabilitation. Following this, the president inaugurated a new international-level swimming pool at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, actively participating in the observation of its practical activities. Beyond these openings, he laid the foundation stone to build an indoor net and practice facility, a new media centre and the redevelopment of the grand stand. President Wickremesinghe also inaugurated the latest LED lighting system at the Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, bringing it up to international standards. The event was not only a platform for sports development but also featured various cultural events.(Daily News, 7.2.2024)
Sri Lanka defeated the touring Afghanistan’s by 42 runs to win the first ODI played at Pallekele, Kandy. Scores: Sri Lanka – 381/3 in 50 Overs (Nissanka 210no, A. Fernando 88, Samarawickrama 45, Ahmad 2/179, Nabi 1/44) Afghanistan – 339/6 in 50 Overs (Omarzai 149, Nabi 136, Madushanka 4/75, Chameera 2/55) Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka defeated the touring Afghanistan’s by 155 runs to win the second ODI played at Pallekele, Kandy. Scores: Sri Lanka – 308/6 in 50 Overs (Asalanka 97no, Mendis 61, Samarawickrama 52, Liyanage 50, Ormazai 3/6) Afghanistan – 153. 33.5 Overs (Shah 63, Zadran 54, Hasaranga 4/27, A. Fernando 2/23, Madushanka 2/28) Player of the Match: Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee selected 16-member squad led by Wanindu Hasaranga to take part in the T20I series against Afghanistan which will commence from February 17 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium under lights commencing from 7 pm. The Minister of Sports Harin Fernando, approved the squad which comprises experienced players Angelo Mathews, Kusal Janith Perera and Dasun Shanaka. Meanwhile paceman Dushmantha Chameera was selected but he will not play as he is still recovering from injury sustained during the first ODI against Afghanistan .Sri Lanka T- 20 Squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Akila Dananjaya, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama. (Daily News, 14.2.2024))
Sri Lanka defeated the touring Afghanistan’s by 7 wickets to win the third and final ODI played at Pallekele, Kandy. Scores: Afghanistan – 266 in 48.2 Overs (Shah 65, Omarzai 54, Gurbaz 48, Alikhail 32, Madushan 3/45, Wellalage 2/38, A. Fernando 2/44, Dananjaya 2/54) Sri Lanka – 267/3 in 35.2 Overs (Nissanka 118, A. fernando 91, Mendis 40, Ahmad 2/146) Sri Lanka won the 3 match series, 3-0. Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) Player of the Series: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka defeated the touring Afghanistan’s by 4 runs to win the first T20 played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.. Scores: Sri Lanka – 160 in 19 Overs ( Hasaranga 67 Samarawickrama 26, de Silva 24, Farooqi 3/25, Ul-Haq 2/25, Omarzai 2/30) Afghanistan – 156/9 in 20 Overs (Zardab 67, Jamat 20, Pathirana 4/24, Shanaka 2/17) Player of the Match: Matheesha Pathirana (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka defeated the touring Afghanistan’s by 72 runs to win the second T20 played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.. Scores: Sri Lanka – 187/ in 20 Overs (Samarawickrama 51, Mathews 42, Nissanka 25, Nabi 2/25, Omarzai 2/40) Afghanistan – 115 I 17 Overs (Jamat 28, Nabi 27, Mathews 2/9, B. Fernando 2/28, Hasaranga2/19 Player of the Match: Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s men’s cricket team will tour Bangladesh during March–April this year to take part in an all-format tour, Sri Lanka Cricket said. The tour kicks off with a series of T20I, with the first match scheduled for March 4 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS) in Sylhet. The second and third T20Is on March 6 and 9 will also be at SICS in Sylhet. Following the T20I series, the first ODI is set to take place on March 13 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) in Chattogram, followed by the second and third ODIs on March 15 and 18, also at ZACS in Chattogram. The first Test will be held from March 22 to 26 at SICS in Sylhet, followed by the second Test from March 30 to April 3 at ZACS in Chattogram. (Daily Mirror, 20.2.2024)
The touring Afghanistan’s beat Sri Lanka by 3 runs to win the third and final T20 encounter, played at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Scores:
Afghanistan – 209/5 in 20 Overs (Gurleaz 70, Omarzai 31, Dananjaya 2/37, Pathirana 2/42)
Sri Lanka – 206/6 in 20 Overs (Mendis 65, Nissanka 60, Samarawickrama 23, Nabi 2/35)
Sri Lanka won the three-match series 2-1.
T20 Debut: Mohammad Ashraf (Afghanistan)
Player of the Match: Rahimaullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)
Player of the Series: Wanindu Hasarana (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has been suspended for two international matches after his accumulated demerit points reached five within a 24-month period following his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct, for which he received a 50 percent fine and three demerit points. Hasaranga was found guilty of breaching article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match. Hasaranga’s five demerit points convert to two suspension points. As two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first for the player or player support personnel, Hasaranga stands suspended from Sri Lanka’s first two T20Is against Bangladesh next month. The incident occurred after the end of the match, when Hasaranga confronted umpire Lyndon Hanibal to criticise him over a decision. He admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for formal hearings. On-field umpires Lyndon Hannibal and Raveendra Wimalasiri, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and fourth umpire Ranmore Martinez levelled the charges. Level 2 breaches carry a penalty of between 50 and 100 per cent of a player’s match fee and three or four demerit points while Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points. (Daily Mirror, 24.2.2024)
Injured Sri Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera will miss out Sri Lanka’s white-ball series against Bangladesh starting early next month as cricket selectors have opted for unchanged squads for the two white-ball series. According to Ashley de Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, Chameera will be out of action for at least four weeks. Sri Lanka will tour Bangladesh later this week to play three T20Is, as many ODIs, and two Tests, starting March 4. The series will begin with the T20 series, followed by the ODIs and the two-match Tests series. However, Chameera, who limped off midway through his eighth over during Sri Lanka’s 42-run victory in the first ODI with a quadriceps injury, will miss the series in its entirety. Chameera had missed a chunk of Sri Lanka’s games with a torn pectoral muscle last year, and prior to that, he had undergone surgery for an ankle injury during the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2023. He also missed the World Cup Qualifiers last year and was recalled to the World Cup side midway through the tournament as an injury replacement. Considered Sri Lanka’s first-choice seamer in white-ball cricket, his career has suffered a major setback due to injuries. (Sunday Times, 25.2.2024)
Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga’s two-match suspension means his schoolmate Charith Asalanka will take over as Sri Lanka’s captain during the national cricket team’s tour of Bangladesh starting next week. Accordingly, Asalanka will lead the country in the first two T-20 Internationals as Hasaranga remains suspended. Asalanka is the understudy for Hasaranga in T-20 cricket and Kusal Mendis in ODI cricket and many believe it is only a matter of time before the 26-year-old leads Sri Lanka across all formats. Having made his international debut three years ago, Asalanka has come up with some match-winning performances over the years. His feats batting under pressure has been a hallmark. More importantly in a day and age where many young players have been cautioned, fined or sanctioned for indiscipline, Asalanka has moved around with his head held high. Asalanka’s elevation to captaincy comes after ICC Match Referee Chris Broad suspended the Sri Lankan captain for bringing the game into disrepute during the third T-20 International at Dambulla where Hasaranga argued with the umpire. He was charged by the umpires and the Match Referee found him guilty handing a 50 percent fine of the match fee apart from the suspension. Hasaranga faulted with umpire Lyndon Hannibal for not calling a no ball for a high full toss in the last over of the Sri Lankan innings. The ball to Kamindu Mendis was not just waist high but chest high and should have been called a no ball and a free hit given. Sri Lanka went on to lose a close encounter by three runs. A win would have seen them clean sweeping the Afghans in all three formats. Sri Lanka will play three T-20 Internationals and three ODIs against Bangladesh followed by two Test matches. Their next assignment is the T-20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States.- Rex Clementine (Daily Island, 26.2.2024)
Sri Lanka have retained largely the same T20 squad, that beat Afghanistan in their three-match T20I series, for next month’s tour of Bangladesh, with Jfferey Vandersay and Avishka Fernando the only additions. Fernando has been drafted in in place of Pathum Nissanka, who is still recovering from injury, while Vandersay has been added to the squad, as cover for Wanindu Hasaranga, who will miss the first two T20Is due to suspension. In Hasaranga’s absence, Vice Captain Charith Asalanka will lead the team for the opening two T20Is. The Squad: Wanindu Hasaranga – Captain, Charith Asalanka -Vice Captain, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay. (Daily Mirror, 29.2.2024)
