Sports

The Netherlands sealed their 2026 World Cup berth on Monday with a dominant 4-0 victory against Lithuania in Amsterdam.

The Oranje — three-time finalists in 1974, 1978, and 2010 — will participate in their 12th World Cup after finishing top of Group G ahead of Poland, who won 3-2 in Malta, and will have to go through the play-offs next March to reach the tournament in North America.

With a very advantageous goal difference of +13 compared to Poland at the start of the match, the Dutch could even have afforded a defeat.

But Ronald Koeman’s men entertained the 50,000 spectators at the Johan Cruyff Arena with their high tempo play, too fast for the Lithuanians who were constantly pinned back in their own half.

Despite a compact opposing defense, Koeman’s men found the breakthrough after 15 minutes through Tijani Reijnders, perfectly set up by Frenkie De Jong.

The score was 1-0 at halftime despite the overwhelming home dominance thanks to a remarkable performance from Lithuanian goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas.

Shortly before the hour, however, Gertmonas was powerless to prevent Cody Gakpo from making it 2-0 from a penalty for handball.

Two minutes later when Xavi Simons fired home from close range to make it 3-0.

Doneyll Malen sealed the victory another two minutes later and Koeman brought on five substitutes.

Luciano Valente made his Oranje debut for the final ten minutes with a huge cheer going up from the Amsterdam crowd as the 22-year-old Feyenoord attacking midfielder took to the field.

( Source : adaderana.lk)

The 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Badminton Tournament was held for the third consecutive time on October 31 and November 1–2 at the University of Colombo Indoor Sports Complex.

The overall championship of the tournament was won by the University of Colombo, while the University of Peradeniya emerged as runners-up.

In the Over-40 Women’s category, Vasantha Ratnayake from the University of Colombo was named the Best Player, while she was also recognized as the Best Player in the Staff Open Mixed Teams event. In the Over-50 Men’s category, Prof. Subash Jayasinghe from the University of Ruhuna was awarded Best Player, and in the Staff Open Men’s Team event, the Best Player award went to Prof. Tharaka Dissanayake from the University of Peradeniya.

In the University Students’ Team event, Chirath Illaperumaarachchi of the University of Colombo was recognized as the Best Male Player, and Midum Keerthisiri, also from the University of Colombo, was named the Best Female Player.

Universities from China and India had been invited to participate in the tournament, in addition to staff members and students from both state and private universities in Sri Lanka.

At the closing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT), Mr. Zhang Jianhui, and the Dean of the Faculty of Management at the University of Colombo, Prof. Nihal Hennayake, attended as guests of honour.

The tournament was organized by the Department of Physical Education of the University of Colombo, with financial sponsorship provided by Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT).

Pawan Rathnayake has been added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in Pakistan, according to sources.  

He has been added to the squad following reports that several members of the team have fallen ill, the source said.

Rathnayake made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in the third and final match of the ODI series against Pakistan yesterday.

Pakistan is hosting Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe for a T20 tri-series at Rawalpindi.

( Source : adaderana.lk)

Indian women who know exactly when to raise their hands in decisive moments have claimed the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in history.

In the final match held in Navi Mumbai, India, the Indian women’s team defeated South Africa by 52 runs to become world champions for the first time ever.

Batting first in the Sunday (2nd) final, India scored 298 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. South Africa, in reply, were bowled out for 246 runs in 45.3 overs.

When it comes to the value of a player in a cricket match, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma embodied it perfectly — sharing 7 wickets between them to destroy South Africa’s innings. The pair also added a crucial 145 runs to India’s total.

Opening batter Shafali Verma scored 87 runs with the bat and then, within just 11 balls of taking up bowling, sent back top-order batters Suné Luus (25) and Marizanne Kapp (4), dismantling South Africa’s chase. Before her bowling spell, the scoreboard read 114/2, but within two overs it had collapsed to 123/4.

From that point, Deepti Sharma took charge, claiming 5 wickets for 39 runs. Having also performed outstandingly in the semi-final, Deepti once again proved vital for India’s success.

For South Africa, chasing a target of 299, captain Laura Wolvaardt scored a brilliant century (101), but once she was dismissed with the total at 220, the team’s innings quickly ended.

During India’s innings, Shafali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58) both struck half-centuries. Apart from Radha Yadav (3* not out), all other Indian batters managed only single-digit scores. However, for South Africa, apart from Wolvaardt’s century, only Annerie Dercksen (35) crossed 30. Four South African batters fell for single-digit scores, and partnerships only lasted while Wolvaardt remained at the crease.

That was the key difference between the two sides. The Indian players, disciplined yet aggressive, dominated the day — and that’s why they became world champions. In every sense, their batting performance was a display of “disciplined aggression.”

Although the match was delayed by two hours due to rain, umpires — including Sri Lankan match referee Mitchell Pereira — decided to begin play at 5 p.m. without reducing the number of overs.

South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and chose to bowl first. However, India’s powerful batting completely disrupted her plans.

Openers Smriti Mandhana (45) and Shafali Verma (87) built a 104-run partnership in 17.4 overs (106 balls). After Mandhana’s dismissal, Jemimah Rodrigues, who had starred in the semifinal against England, contributed 24 runs off 37 balls.

Batting at number three, Rodrigues’ presence gave Verma the freedom to play aggressively. Verma made 87 runs off 78 balls, including 2 sixes and 7 fours — her best ODI innings to date. When their partnership broke at 166 in the 28th over, India was already in a strong position.

From then on, the Indian batters intensified the attack. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20), Deepti Sharma (58), and Richa Ghosh (34) all played crucial cameos, collectively adding 112 runs off just 111 balls.

Though Harmanpreet was dismissed after a superb catch by Wolvaardt, Richa Ghosh marked her arrival with a six and went on to score 34 runs, including 2 sixes and 3 fours.

Despite losing four wickets in the later stages, India’s total remained formidable — enough to secure a historic win.

Score Summary:

India Women: 298/7 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 45, Shafali Verma 87, Jemimah Rodrigues 24, Harmanpreet Kaur 20, Amanjot Kaur 12, Deepti Sharma 58, Richa Ghosh 34; Ayabonga Khaka 3/58)

South Africa Women: 246 all out in 45.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 101, Tazmin Brits 23, Suné Luus 25, Sinalo Jafta 16, Annerie Dercksen 35, Nadine de Klerk 18; Deepti Sharma 5/39, Shafali Verma 2/36)

Rajasthan Royals on Monday announced Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara as their head coach for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, following the exit of Rahul Dravid from the role.

Dravid had left the franchise in August this year and Sangakkara, who has been the franchise’s Director of Cricket since 2021, will be returning as the head coach having served in the same role from 2021-2024.

“Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara will also take charge as Head Coach for IPL 2026,” Rajasthan Royals posted on X.

It was an abrupt end for former India captain Dravid’s tenure after returning to the franchise for the 2025 season with a multi-year contract. The T20 World Cup-winning former national coach exited after a “structural review” of the team’s poor performance earlier this year.

The franchise endured a terrible run, finishing ninth in the 10-team event with just four wins from 14 games.

Sangakkara’s return as head coach comes days after Rajasthan Royals completed the trade of their wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who will join Chennai Super Kings. In return, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran have been roped in by the Royals’ camp.

Meanwhile, RR also released a total of seven players, including three overseas, ahead of the mini auction to be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

Among the players released by the Royals are Akash Madhwal, Ashok Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Kunal Rathore, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.

( Source : adaderana.lk)

The Indian team has qualified for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final for the third time.

They secured their place by defeating defending champions Australia by 5 wickets in the second semi-final match.

The match was held in Navi Mumbai, India.

After winning the toss, the Australian team chose to bat first.

Accordingly, Australia, batting first, were all out for a total of 338 runs.

Chasing a target of 339 runs, the Indian team successfully reached the target in 48.3 overs with 5 wickets remaining.

The final match of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, featuring India and South Africa, is scheduled to be played this Sunday in Navi Mumbai.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan edged out Sri Lanka by six runs in a thrilling first One-Day International on Tuesday, thanks to a brilliant century from Salman Agha and a four-wicket haul from Haris Rauf.

Agha’s unbeaten 105 off 87 balls powered Pakistan to a strong 299 for 5, before Rauf’s fiery spell of 4 for 61 restricted Sri Lanka to 293 for 9 in their 50 overs — giving the hosts a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.

The match went ahead despite a suicide attack near Islamabad that claimed at least 12 lives, prompting authorities to tighten security for the visiting team.

Sri Lanka got off to a promising start with debutant Kamil Mishara (38) and Pathum Nissanka (29) adding 85 for the first wicket. However, Rauf struck back swiftly, dismissing both openers and Kusal Mendis (0) in quick succession.

Sadeera Samarawickrama (39) and captain Charith Asalanka (32) steadied the innings with a 57-run stand, but Pakistan regained control when Rauf removed Samarawickrama with a superb catch by Babar Azam at slip.

Despite a late charge from Wanindu Hasaranga, who smashed a fighting 59 off 52 balls with seven boundaries, Sri Lanka fell just short, needing 21 runs off the final eight deliveries.

For Pakistan, Agha and Hussain Talat (62) added a vital 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket after the team had slumped to 95-4. Hasaranga was Sri Lanka’s best bowler with 3 for 54, while Asitha Fernando claimed an early breakthrough.

“Agha and Talat batted very well to take us to 299. Haris then gave us crucial wickets,” said Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi after the win.

Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka admitted, “We gave away too many runs. The way Agha and Talat batted took the game away from us.”

The remaining ODIs will be played on Thursday and Saturday, both in Rawalpindi.

A 17-year-old Australian cricketer, Ben Austin, has tragically died after being struck in the neck by a cricket ball during a training session in Melbourne.

The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Ferntree Gully cricket nets, where Ben was practicing with teammates. He was wearing a helmet but did not have a neck guard at the time. The ball was delivered using a hand-held throwing device known as a “wanger” when it struck him on the neck.

Emergency services arrived at the scene around 5:00 p.m. local time (06:00 GMT), and Ben was rushed to hospital in critical condition. Despite being placed on life support, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.

Ben’s father, Jace Austin, described the family as “utterly devastated” by the loss of “our beautiful Ben.” He said his son was a beloved brother to Cooper and Zach, and a “shining light” to all who knew him.

“This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we take comfort in knowing he was doing something he loved – spending time at the nets with friends, playing cricket,” Mr. Austin said.

He also expressed compassion for Ben’s teammate who was bowling when the accident happened, saying the family’s thoughts were with the other boy and his family.

Mr. Austin thanked the cricket community, emergency responders, and medical staff for their support and care in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins called the incident an “extremely difficult time” for everyone involved, noting the similarity to the fatal accident that claimed the life of Phillip Hughes in 2014. Hughes died after being struck in the neck while batting during a Sheffield Shield match, an event that led to improved safety standards in cricket gear.

“The entire cricket community, both in Victoria and across Australia, is mourning this heartbreaking loss,” Mr. Cummins said. “Ben was a talented cricketer, a respected captain, and a much-loved teammate known throughout Melbourne’s south-east under-18 circuit.”

Ben represented the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club, which paid tribute to him in a heartfelt social media post, describing him as a young man who “brought joy to everyone around him.”

The Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, where Ben played more than 100 games, also honored his memory, calling him “kind,” “respectful,” and “a fantastic footballer.”

“Our club and community have lost a truly exceptional young person who was becoming a fine young adult. His absence will be felt deeply for many years to come,” the club said.

Ben’s death has sent shockwaves through both the cricket and football communities, leaving teammates, friends, and family mourning the loss of a promising young life cut tragically short.

Sri Lanka’s Taavi Samaraweera has climbed to No. 3 in the U-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings.

This is the highest ranking ever achieved by a Sri Lankan player at any age level.

Samaraweera achieved the historic milestone after consistently performing at a number of events held recently.

(Source - adaderana.lk)

India's right-hander Rohit Sharma has etched his name into the record books by becoming the world's No. 1 ranked ODI batter for the first time in his illustrious career. The former India captain reached the summit of the latest ICC Men's ODI Batter Rankings on Wednesday (29 October), becoming the oldest cricketer to achieve the feat at 38 years and 182 days.

Rohit climbed two places to displace current India skipper Shubman Gill, rising to the top on the back of his unbeaten century in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he led India to a dominant nine-wicket victory. The Mumbai-born opener was in sublime touch alongside Virat Kohli (74*), striking 13 fours and three towering sixes on his way to his 33rd ODI hundred.

Rohit's return to the top comes on the back of a superb run of form in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, where he amassed 202 runs in three matches at an astonishing average of 101. His unbeaten century in the series decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground not only sealed India's series victory but also reaffirmed his status as one of the most reliable and destructive openers in world cricket. The veteran was deservedly named Player of the Series.

Rohit’s stellar run saw him surpass Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran and teammate Gill to claim the top spot for the very first time, having consistently featured among the top 10 for most of the past decade.

The former skipper was not the only Indian to make progress in the latest rankings. Axar Patel gained in both the bowling and all-rounder categories following his strong performance in Sydney — climbing six places to 31st among ODI bowlers and four spots to eighth among all-rounders.

Elsewhere, there were notable movements in the rankings. New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner rose three rungs to fourth among ODI bowlers, while Australia’s Josh Hazlewood gained two places to move to eighth. England batter Harry Brook also made an impressive jump, climbing 23 places to 25th in the ODI batting charts.

In the Test rankings, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj was the biggest mover following his Player of the Match display in the side’s eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Maharaj jumped nine places to a career-best 13th after claiming nine wickets in the match, while teammate Simon Harmer climbed 26 spots to 45th. Among batters, Aiden Markram moved up two positions to 15th, and Tony de Zorzi gained seven to reach a career-high 47th.

Kagiso Rabada also improved eight rungs to 11th among Test all-rounders, while Pakistan captain Shan Masood climbed five places to equal 42nd among batters.

There was further movement in the T20I rankings, with South Africa pacer Corbin Bosch leaping 40 places to 53rd among bowlers. Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz rose eight spots to sixth among all-rounders, while opener Saim Ayub gained five to reach 49th in the batting list.

Back in ODIs, Rohit now leads with 781 rating points, followed by Zadran (764) and Gill (745). Virat Kohli, who contributed a match-winning 74* in Sydney after a rare failure in the second ODI, sits sixth with 725 points. Shreyas Iyer, despite not batting in the final game, moved up one place to ninth thanks to his earlier fifty in Adelaide.

Rohit had 745 points last week but gained significant ground after scoring 73 (97) in Adelaide and an unbeaten 121 (125) in Sydney. Those commanding knocks propelled him to 781 points — a career-high.

Having led India to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit now joins an elite list of Indian cricketers — Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill — to have held the No. 1 ODI batting ranking.

Gill, who had occupied the top position since late last year, endured a lean patch against Australia with scores of 10, 9 and 24. Kohli slipped one spot despite his fluent knock in the final match, while Iyer’s consistency saw him cement his place among the world’s top 10.

(Source - indiatoday)

In a historic achievement for the hill capital, PMTD Puwakgolla clinched the title of National Champion at the 71st National Snooker Championship, played for the prestigious Late U. W. Sumathipala Challenge Trophy. His teammate, Prathap Murugesh, emerged as the runner-up, marking the first time in the tournament’s long and proud history that both the champion and runner-up hailed from Kandy.

Both cueists represent the renowned Piramid Snooker Parlour, Kandy, and their outstanding performances have brought immense pride to the region and the Sri Lankan snooker fraternity.

The championship, organized in October, featured 283 players representing six districts (Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Galle, and Rathnapura). As in previous years, the event was sponsored by Sumathi Holdings, continuing its tradition of promoting and uplifting cue sports in Sri Lanka.

Puwakgolla displayed exceptional composure and skill throughout the tournament, demonstrating tactical brilliance and precision under pressure. Murugesh, too, impressed with his consistency and sportsmanship, making the final a thrilling encounter that showcased the rising standard of Sri Lankan snooker.

Both players have now been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 2025 IBSF (International Billiards and Snooker Federation) World Snooker Championship, currently being held in Qatar from November 3 to 10. Reports indicate that the duo is performing admirably on the international stage, carrying the hopes of the nation with pride and determination.

This remarkable achievement not only underscores the growing dominance of Kandy in cue sports but also signals a new era for snooker in Sri Lanka. The dedication, discipline, and passion of these young players stand as an inspiration to many aspiring cueists across the country.

The Sri Lanka Billiards and Snooker Association, along with sponsors, well-wishers, and the entire sporting community, extend their heartiest congratulations to Dhanushka Puwakgolla and Prathap Murugesh. As they compete among the world’s best in Qatar, Sri Lanka proudly stands behind them and wishing them every success in raising the national flag high on the global stage.

At the 2025 Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain, Lahiru Achintha won the gold medal in the men’s 1500m event held yesterday (23).

He completed the race in 3 minutes and 57.42 seconds.

The silver medal was won by a Chinese athlete who finished in 3 minutes and 58.73 seconds, while the bronze went to an athlete from Hong Kong, who clocked 4 minutes and 05.09 seconds.

This gold medal by Lahiru marks the first time in history that a Sri Lankan has ever won a gold medal at the Asian Youth Games.

Meanwhile, in the women’s 1500m event held yesterday, Nethmi Gimhani secured the bronze medal, completing the race in 4 minutes and 52.32 seconds.

With this medal, Sri Lanka’s total medal count at the tournament has now risen to two.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka is currently ranked 10th on the medal table.