ICC lifts suspension on Sri Lanka Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has lifted the ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect, Sports Minister Harin Fernando revealed.

He said an official statement from the ICC will follow shortly.

On 10 November, the ICC suspended SLC’s membership, with immediate effect, on the grounds that the governing body is in serious breach of its obligations as a Member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Chennai Super Kings win fifth IPL title

The Chennai Super Kings claimed their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title with a five-wicket win on DLS (Duckworth/Lewis/Stern) over the Gujarat Titans, in a dramatic IPL final that spanned three days and ended at 1:35 a.m. this morning.

With ten runs needed off the last two balls, Ravindra Jadeja scored a six and four to take the Super Kings over the line to join the Mumbai Indians for the most IPL titles for a franchise.

Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan

Sri Lanka denied Afghanistan a famous victory by winning a low-scoring thriller in the World Cup at Cardiff.

After a dismal batting collapse by Sri Lanka, Afghanistan needed a rain-revised target of just 187 from 41 overs but were beaten by 34 runs.

Afghanistan slipped to 57-5 in their chase but a partnership of 64 by Najibullah Zadran and captain Gulbadin Naib gave them hope.

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets

New Zealand kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 10-wicket thrashing of Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Saturday.

Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson both took three wickets for New Zealand as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 136 despite an unbeaten 52 from captain Dimuth Karunaratne.

Martin Guptill and Colin Munro hit unbeaten half-centuries in New Zealand’s run-chase as the 2015 World Cup runners-up cruised to 137 without loss in 16.1 overs.

Virat Kohli Invites Sri Lankan Cricket Fan For Mumbai Wedding Reception

Sri Lankan cricket fan Gayan Senanayake had the privilege of attending the wedding reception of Indian captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma.Sharma took part in the reception following an invitation by Kohli.

Mumbai Indians likely to release Malinga for IPL auction

In what would have seemed an unthinkable move a few years ago, IPL side Mumbai Indians are set to release their premier fast bowler in history, Lasith Malinga, for the IPL auctions, the Indian media reported.

With the teams likely to be allowed to retain a maximum of three players, the IPL 2017 winners are unwilling to keep hold of Malinga, considering the fact that the Sri Lankan speedster has looked out of form and also faced issues regarding his fitness off late.

Harbhajan Singh mocks Sri Lanka cricket team

Veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has ridiculed the visiting Sri Lankan team and said they need to revive and “get to international level”. Responding to opener Dimuth Karunaratne’s statement that the Lankans are ready to face the challenge posed by the Indian team (especially R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja), Harbhajan wrote on Twitter, “Same way how they did in recent series.. they r getting beaten by Zimbabwe.. 1st inn 200 second inn 150. Sri Lankan team at their lowest so sad to see them like this.. hope they will revive and get to international level.” However, the Turbanator deleted the tweet soon after.

Herath, Asela win big at Dialog Cricket Awards

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath clinched the prestigious Dialog Cricketer of the Year award and the best Test bowler award at the Dialog Cricket Awards 2017 held on Tuesday at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla.

Asela Gunaratne who has had a splendid year (June 2016-June 2017) as an all-rounder leading Sri Lanka several unlikely wins grabbed four awards -- T20I Batsman of the Year, All-rounder of the Year in both T20Is and ODIs and Most Promising Cricketer of the Year.

Pakistan beats SL to 2-0 lead

Despite Upul Tharanga’s heroics with the bat, Pakistan went 2-0 up in the five-match series after beating Sri Lanka by 32 runs in the second ODI in Abu Dhabi.

Chasing a tricky target of 220 runs, Sri Lanka’s batting line up faltered and they were reduced to 93/7 before Tharanga along with Jeffrey Vandersay stitched a stand of 76 runs for the eighth wicket.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in second Test, take series

Sri Lanka now trails fifth ranked Australia (97 points) by three points.

Thirteen months after lifting the prestigious ICC Test Championship mace for topping the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, Pakistan have plummeted to seventh in the latest Test team rankings, which were updated following the conclusion of its home series against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka not only won the series 2-0 but handed Pakistan only its second whitewash in a home series (Pakistan lost all three Tests against Australia in 2002-03).

Gunathilaka suspended for six matches

Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended opener Danushka Gunathilaka for six international matches on disciplinary grounds, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on Thursday.

He has also been imposed a 20% fine of his applicable annual contract fee for violations of Section 30 (a-ii ) and 30 (b) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka Cricket and of clauses 3.1.2, 3.1.9, 3.3.1, and 3.4 of his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket during the recently concluded India Series in Colombo.

Malinga dropped from Pakistan ODI squad

Malinga, who has shown indifferent form since making his comeback to the national set-up, had an ordinary series against India at home last month and as a result, has fetched the axe. Former skipper Angelo Mathews, who couldn't feature in the ongoing Test series due of a calf injury, has failed to recover in time for the ODIs.

Mathews, who has been plagued by calf and hamstring injuries in recent times, faced a fitness test on Monday (October 2). "Angelo is struggling. We thought he will be okay for the ODIs, but on Monday while running he felt the pain again and has been ruled out. It's a massive loss for us," a Sri Lanka Cricket spokesman told Cricubzz.

SL beat Pakistan by 21 runs

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 21 runs in the first Test of the 2-Test series as Pakistan failed to chase down a meagre 136-run target and were all out for 114. Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0 now.

Pakistan were 67 for 5 at Tea and with skipper Sarfraz Ahmad and Haris Sohail still at the crease, there was some hope still in the Test for the hosts. However, Pakistan kept losing wickets after the Tea break. Sarfraz got out after scoring 19 runs while Haris Sohail scored 34 runs, highest in the innings.

ICC launches corruption probe in Sri Lanka

The ICC has confirmed its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has opened an investigation in Sri Lanka, less than 48 hours after 40 top cricketers petitioned Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to launch an inquiry into corruption allegations.

On Friday, SLC confirmed it had received a letter signed by national players, including captains Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga, urging the board to probe the "baseless allegations" the players claim were made by former cricketer and selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe. The board, however, stopped short of stating it would launch the probe, and merely recounted the current players' dismay at having their integrity questioned. But the ICC itself has now publicly established ACU officers have recently visited Sri Lanka in relation to an investigation.

Mathews falls injured again!

Former Captain Angelo Mathews might miss the first test against Pakistan, it is reported.

This is because he encountered an injury during practice sessions today.

He sustained injuries in his calf, it is reported.

Sri Lanka misses direct World Cup qualification

The 1996 World champions needed two wins in the five-match series to secure a place in the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over event, which will take place from 30 May to 15 July in the United Kingdom. The top seven ODI sides apart from host England as on 30 September qualify directly.

Sri Lanka Cricket selection committee resigns

Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee headed by Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya submitted their resignations today, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said.

The resignation is to be effective from September 7, 2017, the day after Sri Lanka is due to play its one off T20 against India.

Do not behave like Indian spectators

World Cup-winning cricket captain and Minister Arjuna Ranatunga today requested Sri Lankan Cricket lovers to stop behaving like Indian spectators at the end of cricket matches.

Addressing the media at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Head Office yesterday he said an incident had been reported as spectators had thrown plastic bottles into the ground during the third one day international cricket match between Sri Lanka and India at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Sunday.

Sri Lankan cricket team booed at by spectators

The Sri Lanka team that suffered another humiliating nine wicket defeat at the first One Day against India, were booed by a group of any spectators opposite the main building of the Dambulla Cricket Stadium yesterday (20).

The team bus was unable to leave the stadium due to the protest.

Rangana to be rested for Pallekele Test

Rangana Herath will be rested for the third Test at Pallekele after pulling up from the second Test with a stiff back. Two players will be further added to Sri Lanka's squad to replace Herath and the already-injured Nuwan Pradeep.

Though there is no injury to Herath as such, he has had a heavy workload over the past three weeks, in which he bowled 71.1 overs in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, as well as a combined 91 overs in the two Tests against India.