SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(MARCH 2026)
Compiled by Victor Melder
50th Match, Super Eights, Group 2, ICC T20 World Cup, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 5 runs at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium, Kandy. Scores:
Pakistan – 212/8 in 20 Overs (Farhan 100, Zaman 84, Madushanka 3/33, Shanaka 2/2, Chameera 1/45)
Sri Lanka – 206/6 in 20 Overs (Shanaka 78, Rathnayake 58, Mishara 26, Asalanka 25, Ahmed 3/23, Nawaz 1/21)
Player of the Match: Shaibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
Points: Pakistan 2, Sri Lanka 0.
Former Sri Lanka cricket team captain Hashan Tillekaratne acknowledged that an all-round mafia was entrenched in the sport’s establishment covering all areas of governance. He made the revelation in an interview with the Sinhala television channel Hiru TV after Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup on home soil. “The people are so bitter. There is a players’ mafia, managers’ mafia, selectors’ mafia, coaches’ mafia, even a commentators’ mafia. Do you accept this”, the TV channel’s presenter Chamoditha Samarawickrema asked Tillekaratne in the no-holds-barred interview. “Yes I accept there is this mafia”, Tillekaratne answered. “There are various groups. In every section there is a gang.” Tillekaratne then went on to say what perhaps no retired cricketer had the audacity to remark about. “Since 2015 all Presidents (heads of state) and (sports) Ministers have had a piece of the cake and 80 percent of the cricket administration has been eaten up”, said Tillekeratne. When asked who should be at the helm of Sri Lanka Cricket or its administration, Tillekaratne replied: “I can think of one person and he is Roshan Mahanama”. Both Mahanama and Tillekeratne played in the same Sri Lanka side and are now retired World Cup champions of the 1996 team. Mahanama also served as International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee, an indication of his track record. (Daily Mirror, 1.3.2026)
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage said that discussions are underway with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to hand over the administration of Sri Lankan cricket to an Interim Committee aimed at rebuilding the sport. The Minister made the remarks during a special press conference held today (05th) at the Ministry. He added that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has also intervened to support the revitalization of cricket in the country. Minister Gamage said that ongoing discussions with the ICC, which include the President, will determine future actions. He emphasized that cricket’s development cannot come at the risk of a ban on Sri Lankan cricket, and the focus is on promoting the sport while ensuring its protection. He further mentioned that plans for the upliftment of cricket have already been drafted, several steps have been taken, and upcoming initiatives will be implemented promptly. The government has assumed full responsibility for rebuilding cricket and will not shift this responsibility to others. The Minister also appealed to the public to refrain from making statements that could insult or disrespect players during this period of restructuring. (Daily Mirror, 5.3.2026)
Gary Kirsten, newly appointed head coach of Sri Lanka’s national cricket team, says he is excited by the challenge ahead and is focused on building confidence, consistency, and depth within the squad. Speaking to Wisden, Kirsten described international coaching as one of the most fulfilling experiences of his career, recalling his successful stints with India and South Africa. He noted that while franchise coaching allowed him more family time when his children were younger, he now feels ready to return to the demands of full-time international cricket. “Spending time building something over a long period of time rather than a one-month tournament was far more fulfilling to my coaching values,” Kirsten said. With his children now older, Kirsten said the opportunity to lead Sri Lanka came at the right moment. “It’s time for me to get back on the road and I’m really cherishing this opportunity,” he added. Kirsten praised Sri Lanka’s rich talent pool, highlighting the country’s tradition of producing exciting and often unorthodox cricketers who bring unique value to the global game. He identified the immediate challenge as instilling confidence and consistency, stressing the importance of winning more regularly and improving performances away from home. With the next ODI World Cup scheduled in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, Kirsten said adapting to overseas conditions will be a key focus. He also emphasized the need to strengthen squad depth and create healthy competition for places. “Relying on one or two players to come good is a dangerous strategy. I’m very keen to build depth and create competition for positions,” he explained. Kirsten will begin his role next month on a two-year contract, with the aim of stabilizing Sri Lanka’s system and improving results ahead of upcoming global tournaments. (Ceylon Today, 14.3.2026)
Sri Lanka’s cricketing and academic communities came together for a unique knowledge-sharing experience as world-renowned statistician and custodian of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Professor Steven Stern, addressed an engaged audience at a special forum at the BMICH in Colombo. Organised by Sirus Migration and Education in collaboration with Bond University, the event brought together students, sports enthusiasts, academics and professionals to explore the science behind one of the most discussed systems in modern cricket. During the session, Professor Stern shared insights into the principals behind the DLS method and its global significance in limited overs cricket. His presentation explored the mathematical foundations of cricket modelling, explaining how statistical principles are applied to develop fair rain-rule calculations. Professor Stern also discussed the extended applications of the DLS framework, the underlying logic used to measure a team’s available resources during interruptions and some of the unintended consequences that statistical models can produce in complex sporting scenarios. (Sunday Observer, 5.3.2026)
India will host Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series in December, featuring three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), beginning on December 13. The tour will start with the ODI series, with the first match scheduled in Delhi on December 13. The second ODI will take place in Bengaluru on December 16, followed by the third and final ODI in Ahmedabad on December 19. The teams will then move to the T20I series, starting with the first match in Rajkot on December 22. The second T20I is scheduled in Cuttack on December 24, while the final T20I of the series will be played in Pune on December 27. (D.R) The schedule Sri Lanka Tour of India. Dec13 – 1st ODI, Delhi, Dec16 – 2nd ODI, Bengaluru Dec19 – 3rd ODI, Ahmedabad Dec 22 – 1st T20I, Rajkot, Dec 24 – 2nd T20I, Cuttack Dec 27 – 3rd T20I, Pune. (Daily News, 27.3.2026)
