Sports

World governing body FIFA has appointed Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar to its Committee for Grassroots and Amateur Football.

This prestigious appointment comes at a time when Sri Lankan Football is experiencing rapid growth under the visionary leadership of President Jaswar Umar over the past 18 months. His strategic and bold approach has transformed the landscape of Sri Lankan football, setting new benchmarks in professionalism, governance, and performance.

President Umar’s relentless focus on professionalizing the national team and elite football structure has positioned Sri Lanka as a rising force in the South Asian region. His modern management style and forward-thinking policies have brought renewed energy and credibility to the game, earning international recognition.

Sri Lanka’s national team has shown significant improvement and remains the only South Asian nation still in contention for Asian Cup qualification, a testament to the progress achieved through structured reforms and professional planning.

With his new role in FIFA, Jaswar Umar will now contribute his experience and expertise to uplift grassroots and amateur football on a global scale. His appointment reflects both his growing influence in world football and FIFA’s confidence in his ability to inspire meaningful development within the sport worldwide.

“Football must be built from its roots. Empowering grassroots and amateur levels ensures sustainable success for future generations,” Jaswar Umar stated following his appointment.

This milestone marks another proud moment for Sri Lanka, as its football leadership continues to gain recognition and respect on the international stage.

— Football Federation of Sri Lanka Colombo | October 2025

Pakistan to donate Asia Cup match proceeds to families of May 7 attack victims

The Pakistan cricket team has decided to give the match proceeds earned for being runners-up in the Asia Cup cricket tournament to the families of the victims of the May 7 attack.

The funds will be presented to civil victims, including children, who lost their lives in the attack, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced.

The final of the Asia Cup was held yesterday, in which India defeated Pakistan to claim the tournament title.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Pakistan team captain Salman Aga stated that India’s conduct during the tournament was respectful of the spirit of cricket.

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become the first footballer in the world to achieve billionaire status, marking another milestone in his legendary career.

According to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ronaldo’s net worth is now estimated at USD 1.4 billion, cementing his place among the global financial elite.

The 40-year-old’s financial empire reportedly reached billionaire levels earlier this year, driven largely by his record-breaking deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, valued at over USD 400 million.

Bloomberg further reports that between 2002 and 2023, Ronaldo has earned more than USD 550 million from salaries, endorsements, and business ventures.

Since his high-profile move from Manchester United to Al-Nassr in 2023, Ronaldo has held the title of the highest-paid footballer in history, earning an annual salary of £177 million, excluding bonuses and brand endorsements.

In true Ronaldo fashion, he continues to redefine what it means to be both a sports icon and a global business powerhouse.

India crowned Asia Cup champions for the 9th time after Tilak Varma’s match-winning knock

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to claim their ninth Asia Cup title, thanks to a determined innings by Tilak Varma, whose fighting performance proved too much for Pakistan’s bowling attack.

The Asia Cup is contested in both ODI and T20 formats. This year’s edition was played in the T20 format as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The T20 format was first introduced to the Asia Cup in 2016. India also won the previous tournament in 2023, which was played in the ODI format.

In the final held today (28) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan set a target of 147 runs. In response, India reached 150 for 5 wickets in 19.4 overs to secure victory.

Tilak Varma was the architect of India’s win, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs off 53 deliveries, which included nine fours and four sixes. He held firm at the crease for over an hour and a half, guiding his team home.

Earlier, India’s opener Abhishek Sharma, who had provided quick starts throughout the tournament, was dismissed for just 5 runs. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav also fell cheaply, scoring under 20.

However, strong partnerships built by Varma with Sanju Samson (57 runs off 50 balls for the fourth wicket) and Shivam Dube (60 runs off 40 balls for the fifth wicket) ensured India’s path to victory.

Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/20) and Faheem Ashraf (3/29) bowled effectively, but Haris Rauf’s expensive spell — conceding 50 runs in just 3.4 overs — proved costly.

Batting first after being invited by India, Pakistan were bowled out for 146 runs in 19.1 overs.

Another exciting clash in the ICC Women’s One Day World Cup is set to take place today (07), featuring England Women taking on Bangladesh Women.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 p.m. (local time) in Guwahati, India.

Both teams will step onto the field with confidence, having secured victories in their opening matches of the tournament.

The Indian team, who won the final of the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament, refused to accept the championship trophy.

This was because the trophy was to be presented by Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President, Mohsin Naqvi, which the Indian team declined.

“We decided not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from the hands of the ACC President, who is also a Pakistani minister,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said.

During the presentation, the announcer stated, “The ACC has informed me that the Indian team will not be collecting their awards tonight.”

At the press conference afterwards, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said he had never seen a winning team being denied a trophy since the day he started playing cricket.

Although they refused to accept the trophy, the Indian team celebrated their victory without it.

In the final match yesterday, Pakistan scored 147 runs. In reply, India reached 150 runs for the loss of five wickets, securing the win.

According to the latest ICC rankings, Nissanka has moved up two places to reach 5th position among T20 batsmen.

His impressive century against India in the Asian Cup helped him rise from 7th to 5th place.

Meanwhile, Kusal Janith, who scored a fighting half-century in the same match, has advanced from 11th to 9th place.

The top spot among T20 batsmen is still held by India’s Abhishek Sharma.

In the T20 all-rounders category, Pakistan’s Shadab Ayub has claimed the number one position, surpassing India’s Hardik Pandya. This is Ayub’s first time at the top, pushing Pandya to second place.

Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga has also moved up one place to 6th position in the same category.

The BCCI has filed an official complaint against Pakistan cricketers Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan with the ICC for their on-field gestures during the Asia Cup Super Fours game in Dubai last Sunday. It is reliably learnt that the BCCI filed the complaint via an email on Wednesday, and the ICC is in receipt of it.

In case Farhan and Rauf deny the allegations in writing, an ICC hearing could take place to address the matter for the hearing. They might have to appear before match referee Richie Richardson - the second match referee at the tournament, Andy Pycroft being the other.

Farhan’s celebration after getting to his half-century and Rauf gesturing towards a section of fans while fielding at the boundary - likely to be the incidents the BCCI has complained about - have been all over social media since that day.

In what is an unconfirmed update, the PCB also appears to have lodged an official complaint with the ICC against Suryakumar Yadav for the India captain dedicating the win over Pakistan in the first round, on September 14, to “the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack” in April this year, which led to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.

“Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all, and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” Suryakumar said in the presentation ceremony after that match, which made headlines for events before and after the match - the captains didn’t shake hands at the toss, the players didn’t greet each other after the match, and “handshakegate” has continued to be a subject of talk and debate at the Asia Cup ever since.

The PCB has alleged that Suryakumar’s comments were “political”.

Sunday’s Super Fours match, the second meeting between the two teams during the Asia Cup, witnessed several heated moments including exchanges between Pakistan quicks Shaheen Shah Afridi and Rauf and India openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill.

(adaderana.lk)

The 13th edition of the Women’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup is set to begin shortly with a match between Sri Lanka and India in Guwahati, India.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first, inviting India to bat.

The World Cup, starting today, will continue until November 2. A total of eight teams will take part in the tournament.

Matches will be played across four venues in India and one venue in Sri Lanka.

In the group stage, held in a league format, each team will play seven matches.

Of Sri Lanka’s seven matches in the group stage, five will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, while two will be held in India.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to immediately suspend the membership of USA Cricket.

According to reports, this decision was taken due to repeated and continuous breaches of obligations by USA Cricket under the ICC constitution. The ruling was made following a meeting of the ICC yesterday (23).

However, the suspension will not affect the participation of the U.S. national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February, nor in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

At its Annual General Meeting in July, the ICC had given USA Cricket three months to conduct “free and fair elections” and implement “wide-ranging” governance reforms.

The suspension comes two months after that deadline.

The ICC also warned USA Cricket that it reserves the right to take any further action deemed appropriate, depending on the progress of the reforms.

The Women’s Cricket World Cup One-Day Tournament begins today (30).

This year’s tournament will be held in both Sri Lanka and India.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Guwahati Stadium in India, followed by the first match between the Sri Lanka Women’s team and the India Women’s team.

In the first round, Sri Lanka will play seven matches — two in India and five in Sri Lanka.

The final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup One-Day Tournament is set to be played on November 2.

Pakistan secured a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup T20 Super Four encounter held in Abu Dhabi, moving up to second place on the points table.

Chasing a target of 134, Pakistan reached 138 for 5 in 17.5 overs. Mohammad Nawaz anchored the chase with an unbeaten 38, while Hussain Talat contributed a steady 32 not out.

For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were the most effective bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and opted to field first. Sri Lanka, making two changes to their lineup, brought in Chamika Karunaratne and Theekshana in place of Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage.

Sri Lanka’s innings struggled from the start. Kusal Mendis fell for a duck in the very first over to Afridi, who then dismissed Pathum Nissanka for 8. Kusal Perera managed 15 before being removed, while skipper Charith Asalanka made 20 but failed to capitalize. Dhananjaya de Silva, who had starred in the previous match against Bangladesh, was dismissed for a duck.

Kamindu Mendis stood firm with a fighting half-century (50), but received little support apart from Hasaranga’s 15. Sri Lanka eventually finished on 133 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Pakistan’s clinical chase ensured a comfortable win, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament.