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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.

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.

The final match of the Asia Cup 2025 T20 ‘B’ Group between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will take place tomorrow (18th) in Abu Dhabi. This is a crucial match to determine which teams will advance to the Super 4 stage from Group B.

Sri Lanka has won both of their matches so far, earning 4 points and securing a leading position on the points table. A victory tomorrow will allow them to qualify for the Super 4s undefeated. Even in the event of a loss, Sri Lanka can still remain in the tournament provided the margin of defeat does not exceed 71 runs or they are not left with fewer than 11.1 overs to chase the target (53 balls remaining).

Hong Kong, having lost all three of their matches, is already eliminated from the tournament.

Afghanistan’s chances of reaching the Super 4s depend on defeating Sri Lanka and surpassing Bangladesh based on net run rate. If Afghanistan loses, they are eliminated, and Bangladesh will qualify automatically.

Bangladesh’s Super 4 qualification will be confirmed if Afghanistan loses to Sri Lanka, as Bangladesh currently holds 4 points and can advance without any further challenge.

The outcome of the Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan match tomorrow will therefore also determine Bangladesh’s fate in Group B.

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’s Smriti Mandhana has once again risen to the top of the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings.

It is reported that her exceptional performances in the recent series against Australia enabled her to reclaim the No. 1 position.

Previously, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt held the top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings.