Sports

Ousmane Dembélé has clinched the Ballon d’Or, earning recognition for guiding Paris Saint-Germain to their maiden Champions League triumph, while Aitana Bonmatí secured the women’s award for the third consecutive year on Monday.

Dembélé, who follows Manchester City’s Rodri, became the sixth Frenchman to claim the honor, joining legends Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema.

Bonmatí once again stood out among the women, finishing ahead of her Spain teammate Mariona Caldentey. Her achievement puts her in elite company, as she is now only the third player ever to win the award three years running, alongside Platini (1983–85) and Lionel Messi (2009–12).

For Dembélé, the award marks a stunning turnaround. Dropped by PSG coach Luis Enrique last season over disciplinary issues, he flourished after being moved into a central striker role. From there, he became a prolific scorer and the driving force behind PSG’s historic Champions League run, during which the club also secured a quadruple.

His performance in the Champions League final was especially lauded, with praise for his pressing and defensive work in PSG’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan.

The French star edged out teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, who impressed with Barcelona’s La Liga and Copa del Rey victories and a Champions League semifinal appearance, while also playing a pivotal role in Spain’s 2024 European Championship win.

The Super Four stage of the Asia Cup T20 cricket tournament begins today (20) with the match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The game will be played at 8 p.m. (local time) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka will play three matches in the Super Four. They are scheduled to face Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on the 23rd and India in Dubai on the 26th.

At the end of the Super Four stage, the top two teams on the points table will qualify for the final.

Sri Lanka will play their second Super Four match of the Asia Cup T20 tournament against Pakistan today (23).The match will take place in Dubai at 8.00 p.m. Sri Lanka time.Captain Charith Asalanka said that there will likely be changes in the team lineup for today’s game.

“We’re still discussing and haven’t finalized the playing XI yet. Since most teams have many left-handers, we might make a change with the bowlers. We’re also considering an extra bowling all-rounder. Sometimes when we play with only four bowlers, it becomes a little difficult when defending a target. If we include an extra bowling all-rounder, my batting position might move up. Otherwise, both Dasun and I will continue to play floating roles, depending on the situation. Since we already have four left-handers, it can give the opposition an advantage. That’s why Dasun was placed higher in the order. I think he did a great job with that role,” he explained.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that all-rounder Dunith Wellalage will rejoin the squad in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tomorrow (20), after attending the funeral of his late father.

Wellalage will be available for selection as Sri Lanka prepare to face Bangladesh in the Super Four opener of the Asia Cup 2025, the SLC said.

Suranga Wellalage, father of Dunith Wellalage, who is a former cricketer himself, passed away last night (18) at the age of 54, reportedly due to a sudden heart attack.

His passing occurred on the same day his son represented Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup Group B match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Wellalage returned to the island this morning (19) following the sudden passing of his father, where he joined his grieving family.

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India defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets to start their Super 4 campaign in the Asia Cup T20 with a strong win.

The match was played at the Dubai International Stadium, and India successfully chased Pakistan’s target of 172 runs in the 19th over (18.5 overs).

Abhishek Sharma scored 74 runs off 39 balls, while Shubman Gill added 47 runs from 28 balls. Together, they built a 105-run partnership for the first wicket, facing just 59 balls.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf took 2 wickets for 26 runs, and Faheem Ashraf took 1 wicket for 31 runs.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage returned home this morning (September 19) following the sudden death of his father, Suranga Wellalage.

He flew from Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways flight EY-392, arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake at 8:25 a.m., accompanied by an official from Sri Lanka Cricket. Wellalage completed airport formalities quickly and left immediately.

Suranga Wellalage, a former cricketer, passed away on September 18 at the age of 54 due to a sudden heart attack. His death came on the same day Dunith played for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup Group B match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Sri Lanka suffered a four-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in their first Super Four match of the Asia Cup T20 tournament held yesterday (20).

The match was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where Bangladesh successfully chased Sri Lanka’s target of 169 with one ball to spare, finishing on 170 for 6.

Opener Saif Hassan led the way with 61 runs, while Towhid Hridoy added 58. Captain Liton Das also strengthened the innings with 23 runs.

For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka took two wickets each, giving a strong fight.

Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka posted 168 for 7 in their 20 overs. Dasun Shanaka top-scored with an unbeaten 64 off 37 balls, including six sixes and three fours. Kusal Mendis scored 34, and Pathum Nissanka added 22 runs. During its stay in Sri Lanka, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several important places on the island.

Suranga Wellalage, father of Sri Lankan cricketer Dunith Wellalage, has passed away at the age of 54 following a sudden heart attack.

The news came on September 18, the same day Dunith played in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Group B match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Sri Lanka won the match by six wickets, but Dunith learned of his father’s death only after the game ended.

Dunith left Abu Dhabi early this morning with team manager Mahinda Halangoda to return to Colombo and be with his family. Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya, emotional upon hearing the news, comforted the young all-rounder.

The Sri Lankan team, which had been celebrating their win, was left in shock and silence after the tragic news.

As a mark of respect for the passing of Dunith Wellalage’s father, Mr. Suranga Wellalage, a minute of silence was observed today (20) prior to the playing of the national anthems. Both Sri Lankan and Bangladesh players took part in the observance.

Sri Lanka defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets on Thursday, September 18, to secure a place in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2025.

In the Group B match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Kusal Mendis scored 74 runs to help Sri Lanka chase down 170 in 18.4 overs. With this win, Sri Lanka topped Group B after winning all three matches.

Afghanistan, who needed a win to qualify, finished third in the group and were knocked out. Bangladesh, with two wins, joined Sri Lanka in the Super 4s.

Sri Lanka will now face Bangladesh in their first Super 4s match on Saturday, September 20, in Dubai.

From Group A, India and Pakistan have already qualified, but their final positions will be decided after India’s match against Oman on Friday, September 19. If India win, they will top Group A and face Pakistan on Sunday (Sept. 21), Bangladesh on Wednesday (Sept. 24), and Sri Lanka on Friday (Sept. 26).

For Sri Lanka, apart from Mendis’ batting, Nuwan Thushara starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 18 runs in 4 overs.

Commencing the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup T20 Cricket Tournament, Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss in today’s (20) match against Sri Lanka and elected to field first.

Accordingly, batting first, the Sri Lankan team managed to score 168 runs for the loss of 7 wickets at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

According to the latest T20 batting rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Pathum Nissanka has risen to the 6th position.

This advancement follows his half-century (68 runs) against the Hong Kong team in the Asia Cup cricket tournament. Prior to this performance, Nissanka had been ranked 7th in the T20 batting rankings.

He currently holds 751 ranking points, marking the highest points he has achieved in his T20 cricket career.

Meanwhile, Kusal Perera remains in the 9th position in these rankings.

At the top of the T20 batting rankings is India’s Abhishek Sharma with 884 points, followed by England’s Phil Salt in second place with 838 points. England’s Josh Butler holds the third position with 794 points.