Sri Lanka cruised into the semi‑finals of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition with a commanding 86‑run victory over Malaysia in Japan.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 160 for 4, powered by captain Chamari Athapaththu’s explosive 63 off 37 balls and Kavisha Dilhari’s unbeaten 44 from 27 deliveries. 

Athapaththu shared an 80‑run stand with Hasini Perera, while Dilhari added a quickfire 62‑run partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama to ensure a strong finish. 

Malaysia’s Nurin Imanina was the standout bowler, claiming 3 for 29.

In reply, Malaysia struggled against Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack, finishing on 74 for 7. 

Dilhari starred with the ball as well, taking 2 for 4 in three overs, while Athapaththu chipped in with 2 for 3. Mithali Ayodhya added 2 for 15 to complete the rout.

Malaysia’s resistance came through Winifred Duraisingam, who scored 28 off 47 balls, and Mahirah Izzati Ismail, who made 24 off 42, but their slow scoring left the team well short of the target.

With this emphatic win, Sri Lanka confirmed their place in the Asian Games semi‑finals. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan cricketer Sonal Dinusha has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2026.

This marks Dinusha being crowned with the accolade for the first time in his career.

Having played only three Tests for Sri Lanka coming into the ICC World Test Championship series against India, the left-handed batter was the leading run-getter in the two-match series.

Dinusha finished with 420 runs, averaging a spectacular 140, with three centuries and a half-century to his name.

“This recognition means so much to me, especially so early in my career, and I’m truly grateful to the ICC for this honour,” Dinusha said while reflecting on his latest achievement.

While Sri Lanka lost the first Test by 165 runs, Dinusha managed to score 100 in the first innings, followed by 84 runs in the second.

In the second Test, with the hosts battling to avoid a series sweep, Dinusha scored twin centuries in the two innings (103 and an unbeaten 133) to orchestrate a famous draw.

“The series against India will always hold a special place in my heart,” Dinusha added.

“Scoring three centuries was a dream come true, made even more meaningful by achieving them in Colombo and Galle in front of our home fans.

“Although we didn’t get the overall result we hoped for, the way our team fought back in the second match showed the character, belief and determination we have as a side. I’m proud to have shared that fight with my teammates.

Dinusha made his Test debut for Sri Lanka last year, during the home series against Bangladesh. 

In a short time, the all-rounder has made a big impact while representing his team in the longest format, an achievement he isn’t taking for granted. 

“Representing Sri Lanka is a privilege I never take for granted, and this recognition gives me even more motivation to keep learning, improving and contributing to the team.

“I’ll continue to give my very best for Sri Lanka in the months and years ahead.”

The hosts managed to keep the series at 1-0, and Dinusha was named the Player of the Match in Colombo. (ICC)

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that the Sri Lanka National Men’s Team will tour Pakistan in October and November 2026. 

During the tour, Sri Lanka will first play a T20I series against Pakistan. 

This will be followed by a tri-nation One Day International (ODI) series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England.

The tour will conclude with a two-match Test series played between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. (Newswire)

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Tony Greig has some of the most interesting names in his family. His brothers are Steve Waugh, Don Bradman, and Larry Gomes. His mother is Karuppiah Latha Mangeshkar. His cousins are Brian Lara, Brett Lee, and Fleming.

It is not clear whether “Fleming” refers to Stephen Fleming or Damien Fleming, both well‑known cricketers.

The family tree sounds unbelievable until one hears the story behind it — these are the official names of the individuals.

A report by Cric Hub states, Tony is the youngest in the family and, at 19, the only serious cricketer among them. A fast bowler from Nuwara Eliya, he now plays club cricket for Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in Colombo, trying to build a career in the sport from a background that is about as far removed from cricketing glamour as it gets.

His family has faced significant financial difficulties, and Tony grew up in a modest household in the hill country of Sri Lanka. Cricket was always present in his family, though not in the form of expensive academies or a carefully planned pathway to professional cricket.

Joseph Leo Dominic incorporated his love for cricket into his family life by naming his children after famous cricket players. His youngest son, Tony, was born in 2007, the same year India won the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa. Inspired by MS Dhoni, the captain of the Indian team, Joseph wanted to name his son Dhoni Greig, but the name took an unexpected turn. 

Within the family’s Tamil context, ‘Dhoni’ eventually became ‘Tony’ in the spelling and pronunciation they settled on. And Tony Greig was born, unknowingly carrying a name that would sound remarkably close to Tony Greig, the former England captain who later became one of the most recognisable voices in cricket commentary.

For Tony, however, there was nothing unusual about any of it. Growing up he never knew the significance of his own or his brothers’ names. For him, Don Bradman, Steve Waugh, Larry Gomes were simply his brothers.

The significance of those names only dawned on him much later.

As Tony began playing proper leather‑ball cricket around Kandy, people started noticing. They would hear his name, ask about his family and then react when they heard the names of his siblings.

‘Who is Don Bradman?’

‘Why is your brother called Steve Waugh?’

‘How did your family end up with all these cricketing names?’

Tony began looking up the names himself. Gradually, the people behind them became familiar to this young boy. Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman in cricket history. Waugh, one of Australia’s most successful Test captains. Gomes, a distinguished West Indian legend. Lara and Lee, two of the defining players of their generations.

The names that had once meant nothing more than family suddenly carried the weight of cricket history.

However, there is an amusing twist to it all.

Tony is the one who actually followed the sport seriously. While his brothers and cousins carry the names of some of cricket’s greats, the youngest member of the family is the one trying to make his own mark with a cricket ball in his hand.

Tony has already begun making his way through Sri Lanka’s competitive club‑cricket system. Playing for Tamil Union, he has produced some encouraging performances and has shown that he possesses raw pace, although control remains an area he continues to work on.

It is still early days for the youngster. At 19, there is plenty of cricket ahead of him, and there is no guarantee that he will reach the international level.

But his story could take an intriguing turn if he ever makes it to the highest level.

If Tony Greig gets the chance to walk out for Sri Lanka, imagine the scene in the stands. The youngest member of the family making his international debut, watched by a family whose names could fill the pages of a cricket history book.

Steve Waugh. Don Bradman. Larry Gomes. Brian Lara. Brett Lee.

They would all be there to watch him.

And that would be quite some story for the journalists and broadcasters covering the occasion.

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that the Sri Lanka Women’s National Team has secured automatic qualification for the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027, despite the country not hosting the tournament.

In a statement, SLC noted the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision on the hosting arrangements for the inaugural competition. 

While Sri Lanka will not serve as host, the women’s team qualified based on its standing in the current qualification process, it said. 

SLC welcomed the achievement and pledged full support for the team’s preparations ahead of the tournament. 

The board also said it will continue to work closely with the ICC, the host nation, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the event. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has made significant strides in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings following her standout performance in the opening weekend of the Women’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Athapaththu’s unbeaten 25‑ball 48 and one for 10 in three overs against the UAE lifted her to career‑best rating points across all categories, 734 in batting, 552 in bowling, and 405 as an all‑rounder. She remains sixth in the batting rankings, climbs three places to 33rd in bowling, and holds firm at third among all‑rounders.

Her opening partner Imesha Dulai also advanced four slots to a career‑high 18th place with 625 points after scoring 25 off 18 deliveries. Among the bowlers, Mithali Ayodhya surged 18 places to 70th with a career‑best 444 points following her three for 14, while Sugandika Kumari moved up five slots to 23rd after taking two for 18.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Thailand edged Hong Kong by six runs but fell heavily to India. Nannapat Koncharoenkai gained one place to 29th after scoring 41 against India, while Suleeporn Laomi climbed five spots to joint‑63rd with three for 26.

Bangladesh impressed with a 71‑run win over Indonesia. Sobhana Mostary rose one slot to 39th with a career‑best 500 points, and Marufa Akter gained two places to 37th after taking two for six. India’s Nandani Sharma leapt 38 slots to 112th following her three for 18 against Thailand.

In Associate team news, Lucy Barnett of the Isle of Man finished as the leading run‑scorer in the Continental Cup in Romania with 257 runs, moving to joint‑67th. Romania’s Rebecca Blake scored 197 runs without dismissal, now averaging 153.00 in T20Is and climbing to joint‑89th in batting. (ICC)

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Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable 21-year career with the national team.

The 39-year-old confirmed his decision in a statement on social media on Monday, saying the decision was painful but that he believed the time had come to step away.

“It was a decision that hurt — and still hurts deep down — but I understand that the time has come,” Messi said.

Messi ends his international career as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances since making his senior debut in 2005.

His greatest achievement with Argentina came in 2022, when he captained the country to the FIFA World Cup title in Qatar.

Messi also led Argentina to Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, completing a dramatic turnaround in an international career that had previously included defeats in the 2014 World Cup final and successive Copa America finals.

His final appearance for Argentina came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, where the defending champions suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain.

Messi said he was leaving with pride over what he and his teammates had achieved and indicated that the emergence of a new generation of Argentine players also influenced his decision.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will continue his club career with Inter Miami in the United States. (Newswire)

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Australian cricketer Pat Cummins has added his voice to growing calls for humane treatment of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan, urging that court‑ordered medical assessments be allowed to proceed and that family visits continue. 

“I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves,” Cummins said, joining other former international captains in expressing concern.

Former Australia captain Greg Chappell has also raised serious concerns about Khan’s health and isolation in prison.

Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, Chappell said Khan, now 73, no longer appeared the strong, robust figure he had met six years ago. “His right eye apparently has developed a disability… he’s struggling. He’s been in isolation for three years,” Chappell noted.

Chappell, who developed a warm friendship with Khan during their playing days, described how isolation and lack of contact with family were affecting Khan’s mental health. 

He said Khan was not allowed to read books and spent most of his time in darkness, warning that such conditions were damaging both his mental and physical well‑being.

Khan has been incarcerated since 2023, serving a 14‑year sentence on corruption charges he has consistently denied. A video clip recently showed him being moved in a wheelchair during a hospital visit, further fueling concerns about his deteriorating health.

Chappell was among 22 former cricketers, including India’s Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar, who wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for humane treatment, independent medical assessment and proper care for Khan.

Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, remains one of the country’s most celebrated all‑rounders, famously leading Pakistan to its first World Cup victory in 1992. (Newswire)

Adding my support here to GC and the other former international captains. I hope the court ordered medical assessment be allowed to run its course, and that family visits continue. I hope Imran Khan is treated with the dignity anyone deserves https://t.co/L1L512wXao

— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) August 28, 2026

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The Pakistan Cricket Board has lodged a formal complaint with broadcaster Sky after they aired an interview with legendary Pakistan captain Imran Khan’s sons, Sulaiman and Qasim. 

The interview was conducted by ex-England captain and broadcaster Michael Atherton on behalf of Sky, and the full interview was aired on Day 1 of the 2nd Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s.

According to The Guardian, PCB did not like that the official broadcaster of the Test series aired an interview which was heavily critical of the existing Pakistan government, and they have lodged a formal complaint with the company.

Sky, although they have acknowledged the complaint, did not issue a formal response. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also been made aware of the PCB’s grievances with the interview, although the ECB too are yet to come up with a response. 

Pakistan threatened to not take the field at Lord’s after lunch on Day 1?

ESPNCricinfo further reported that PCB even threatened that their players won’t take the field post-lunch if the interview is aired. Sky later released an 18-minute clip, but by the time it was released, Pakistan players were on their way to the ground for the second session. 

However, further reports have emerged from various quarters stating PCB did threaten that the players will protest by not taking the field if the interview was aired. 

What did Imran Khan’s sons say to Sky?

In their interview with Atherton on Sky on Thursday, the two sons of the legendary World Cup-winning Pakistan captain shared their deep concerns about their father’s health, which has considerably deteriorated in the past couple of months while being in jail. 

In a section of the interview, Qasim Khan told Atherton, “Right now, it’s crucial for us that he gets proper treatment. When we saw him, he had an eye patch on from the eye situation; he seemed visibly stressed and that is something that is very hard to imagine.

“Because he embodies a very calm and assured kind of presence. So to hear him stressed, anxious or disturbed is very difficult.”

Earlier this year, 14 former international captains wrote a letter to the Pakistan government expressing their concern over Imran Khan’s condition inside jail and prayed for better treatment of their ex-comrade.

Atherton was among the signatories alongside ex-India captains Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar and ex-Australia skippers Greg and Ian Chappell and Alan Border.

Why is Imran Khan in jail?

The 1992 World Cup-winning Pakistan captain has been embroiled in legal battles since his ouster as the country’s Prime Minister in 2022.

Multiple alleged criminal charges were pressed against Khan and he was taken into custody in May 2023. Ever since then, Khan has spent more than three years in jail.

His condition deteriorated in January 2026 and reports emerged that Khan had only 15 per cent of vision in his right eye. Most recently, he underwent a medical check-up at a hospital in Islamabad. (The Cricket News)

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Media Release

21st August 2026

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Hashan Tillakaratne as the Batting Coach of the Senior Men’s Program.

He will be based at the National High Performance Center of the SLC and will work with the national players as part of the Senior Men’s Program.

The former World Cup winner previously served as the batting coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national team and the head coach of the Sri Lanka women’s national team.

He also has served as the head coach of the Bangladesh Women’s National Team.

Tillakaratne represented Sri Lanka from 1989 to 2003, playing 83 Test matches and 200 ODIs and accumulating more than 8,200 international runs across the two formats.

His appointment came into effect on 20th August 2026 and will continue until 31st December 2027. (Sri Lanka Cricket)

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Pakistan will host Sri Lanka and England for a packed international cricket schedule from October 9 to November 21, including a three-team ODI series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka will arrive in Pakistan on October 4 and begin the tour with three T20Is against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, 11 and 13.

England will then join Pakistan and Sri Lanka for a seven-match ODI tri-series, including the final, from October 18 to 31 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

The tri-series will begin with Pakistan facing Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on October 18, followed by Pakistan against England on October 20 and Sri Lanka against England on October 22.

The tournament will then move to Lahore, where Pakistan will face England on October 25 and Sri Lanka on October 27. Sri Lanka and England will meet again on October 29, with the top two teams advancing to the final at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.

Following the tri-series, Sri Lanka will play a three-day match in Islamabad from November 4 to 6 before facing Pakistan in a two-Test series.

The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from November 9 to 13, while the second Test will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from November 17 to 21.

The two Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

The ODI tri-series will also mark the second successive year Pakistan has hosted a men’s ODI triangular tournament, following the 2025 series involving Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa. (Newswire)

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Doubts are mounting over Sri Lanka’s ability to stage the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in February 2027, as the country’s cricket board remains under the control of a government‑appointed interim committee, it was reported. 

According to The Sunday Times, the six‑nation tournament is scheduled from February 14 to 28, 2027, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) has historically resisted recognising politically installed administrations. 

The report states that this has raised fears that hosting rights could be shifted elsewhere unless elections restore an elected body at Maitland Place.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials insist they have received no formal communication from the ICC about a venue change. “As of now, we are hosts for the tournament,” said SLC CEO Ashley de Silva, while acknowledging the possibility cannot be dismissed.

The interim committee has been tasked with constitutional reforms, with a draft already submitted to the Sports Minister. The proposal must undergo legal and parliamentary scrutiny before being tabled in Parliament, a process expected to take time.

The uncertainty echoes Sri Lanka’s experience in 2024, when the country lost hosting rights for the ICC Under‑19 World Cup after the then Sports Minister dissolved the elected SLC administration. That move led to significant financial losses.

With less than six months to go, the deadlock over cricket governance threatens to place Sri Lanka’s hosting of the Women’s Champions Trophy under ICC review. While no official statement has yet been issued, the risk of losing another major event looms large. (Newswire)

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Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in the first Test in Darwin on Sunday, completing their first-ever Test win on Australian soil.

Chasing 57 for victory after Australia were bowled out for 284 in their second innings, Bangladesh reached the target for the loss of just one wicket, sealing a remarkable victory over the world’s top-ranked Test side.

Bangladesh had earlier bowled Australia out for 198 in the first innings before posting 426 in reply, taking a commanding 228-run lead.

Opener Tanzid Hasan played a key role in establishing that advantage, scoring 101 to become the first Bangladeshi batter to score a Test century on Australian soil. Najmul Hossain Shanto added 84, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 65.

Australia fought back in their second innings, with Cameron Green scoring a determined 104. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers maintained the pressure, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking five wickets to dismiss Australia for 284 and leave the visitors with a modest target.

Bangladesh lost Tanzid Hasan early in the chase, but Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque remained composed to guide their team to victory.

The result marks Bangladesh’s second Test victory over Australia, following their famous 20-run win in Dhaka in 2017, but their first Test victory in Australia.

Josh Hazlewood was a standout for Australia despite the defeat, taking six wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings and reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets.

The victory gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the second Test scheduled to be played in Mackay from August 22. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Test Captain Dhananjaya de Silva has revealed the reasons behind Niroshan Dickwella’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming series against India.

Addressing the media, de Silva said Dickwella was initially left out after Kusal Mendis was brought in at No. 7.

However, Dickwella has been included in the squad following Kusal Mendis being ruled out of the test series due to injury . 

“When playing in Galle, an important aspect is to have someone with strong glovework and wicketkeeping. This decision was taken after discussions with the selectors and coaches. Dickwella emerged among the top candidates when considering glovework,” Dhananjaya de Silva said, explaining the reason for Dickwella’s inclusion. 

The two‑match Test series against India begins tomorrow (15) in Galle, with the second Test scheduled for August 23 in Colombo. (Newswire)

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Former Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has weighed in on the debate surrounding Niroshan Dickwella’s inclusion in Sri Lanka’s Test squad, saying the selectors may have considered his wicketkeeping ability and experience in the longer format.

Karunaratne said there had been considerable discussion and controversy over Dickwella’s selection.

However, he believes Anjala Bandara and Sadeera Samarawickrama are currently ahead of Dickwella in terms of recent form and batting performances.

Despite this, Karunaratne said the upcoming series represents an important opportunity for Dickwella to prove himself and could have a significant bearing on his future in Test cricket.

He also wished his former teammate well ahead of the series, describing it as potentially one of the most challenging and important of Dickwella’s career.

Dickwella has been recalled to Sri Lanka’s Test squad after a three-year absence from international cricket. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 15-member squad to take part in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. 

According to the SLC, the Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be held in the UAE from 28 August to 13 September 2026. 

The squad will be led by Chamari Athapaththu, while Harshitha Samarawickrama has been named Vice Captain. (Newswire)

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam has returned to the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings after two years following his team’s eight-wicket win over the West Indies in Port of Spain that helped draw the two-match ICC World Test Championship series.

The 31-year-old scored 88 and 24 not out, advancing five slots to 10th position in the rankings. He had slipped out of the top 10 in September 2024 after remaining there continuously for the previous five years. Babar’s career best second position was achieved during a home series against England in December 2022.

Abdullah Shafique, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten knocks of 160 and 24, has progressed 25 slots to 32nd position, overtaking players like Marnus Labuschagne, K.L. Rahul and compatriots Salman Agha and Shan Masood in the process.

Brandon King of the West Indies is another player to rise in the batters’ list, up from 73rd to joint-69th despite being unable to bat in the second innings due to a back injury. He scored 46 off 50 balls in the first innings.

The bowling rankings see the West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph inch up one place to 19th after finishing with three wickets in the match while Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan (up five places to 30th), new-ball bowler Mohammad Ali (up eight places to 85th) and left-arm spinner Ali Usman (up 58 places to 97th) have also moved up.

In the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has risen three positions to 11th after scoring 32 and 71 in the second and third matches of their series against Ireland. Oman’s Hammad Mirza (up two places to 85th) and the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Rahul Chopra (up 37 places to joint-97th) have advanced following their performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 series in Dundee.

Ireland’s seam bowler Mark Adair returns in 17th position after picking two wickets each in two matches against Afghanistan and Scotland’s Brandon McMullen is up 10 spots to joint-48th in the bowlers’ list after taking three wickets each against Canada and the UAE in Dundee.

The drawn Test series in the West Indies has not helped the cause of either team as they occupy the bottom two positions in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

Australia are at the top with 87.50 percentage points with seven wins and a loss in eight outings while South Africa (75.00) and New Zealand (72.22) are in second and third positions, respectively.

The ICC World Test Championship standings : https://www.icc-cricket.com/tournaments/world-test-championship/standings (ICC)  

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Test cricket is set to return to Darwin on Thursday, 22 years after Sri Lanka’s Test against Australia at the venue, where legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga made his international debut.

Malinga made his Test debut for Sri Lanka against Australia at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on July 1, 2004. He took six wickets in the match, including four in Australia’s second innings.

The 2004 match remains the most recent Test played in Darwin, with Australia winning by 149 runs.

Test cricket will return to the Northern Territory on Thursday (Aug. 13), when Australia take on Bangladesh in the opening match of a two-Test series at Marrara Stadium.

The return marks Darwin’s first Test match since 2004, with the second Test of the series scheduled to be played in Mackay from August 22.

The upcoming series will also mark Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia since 2003. (Newswire)

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Former India off-spinner R. Ashwin says Sri Lanka’s spin stocks have depleted since the retirement of Rangana Herath, leaving the hosts without a spinner capable of posing the same level of threat ahead of the upcoming Test series against India.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Sri Lanka would have had a much stronger chance against India if Herath was still leading the spin attack.

“I want to know who the spinners are. If Rangana Herath was still there, I would say Sri Lanka have a great chance,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin identified Prabath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka’s frontline left-arm spinner but questioned whether his slower pace through the air would trouble India’s batting line-up.

“They have Prabath Jayasuriya, a left-arm spinner who bowls a little slower. If you bowl slow against this Indian batting line-up, it won’t be easy because many of their batters play very well off the back foot,” he said.

He also referred to Sri Lanka’s off-spin options, mentioning Ramesh Mendis and Nishan Peiris, while recalling an off-spinner who impressed him during the recent Sri Lanka A series, although he could not remember the player’s name.

Ashwin added that Sri Lanka’s spin combination would be crucial in determining how competitive they are during the two-match Test series against India, which begins on August 15 in Galle. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named a 15-member SLC XI squad for the three-day warm-up match against India.

The match will commence tomorrow (07) at the NCC Grounds, Colombo, with play scheduled to begin at 10:00 am.

Sonal Dinusha will lead the following SLC XI squad;

1. Nishan Madushka
2. Ravindu Rashantha
3. Pasindu Sooriyabandara
4. Pavan Rathnayake
5. Ahan Wickramasinghe
6. Sonal Dinusha  – Captain
7. Anjala Bandara  – Wicketkeeper
8. Nipun Dananjaya
9. Lahiru Kumara
10. Vishwa Fernando
11. Asanka Manoj
12. Isitha Wijesundara
13. Ramesh Mendis
14. Kesara Nuwantha
15. Dilum Sudeera (Newswire)

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