Cricket news

Dunith Wellalage’s four wickets help Sri Lanka secure a 174-run victory over Australia

Eight runs later, Abbott bowled Kamindu Mendis for 4 runs, leaving Sri Lanka at 121 for 3. Kusal Mendis then built another significant partnership, adding 94 runs with Asalanka, who struck three sixes and six fours in his 66-ball innings of 78. Mendis faced 115 balls and hit 11 boundaries in his century.

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2025

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Kusal Mendis scored his fifth century, and Dunith Wellalage took four wickets as Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 174 runs in the second One Day International, completing a 2-0 series sweep. After winning the toss, captain Charith Asalanka opted to bat first, leading Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 281 for four in their 50 overs.

Australia struggled, losing their last seven wickets for just 28 runs and getting bowled out for 107 in the 25th over. Mendis was the standout performer, scoring 101 runs, and he was well-supported by Asalanka, who followed his impressive century in the first match with an unbeaten 78.

“We are very pleased with where we are. A few months ago, we were ranked quite low,” Mendis said. “We’ve worked really hard, and this result reflects that commitment.” Opener Nishan Madushka also made a valuable contribution, scoring 51 runs in his second One Day International half-century. Fast bowler Sean Abbott recorded the best bowling figures for Australia, taking one wicket for 41 runs.

Australia’s total of 107 is their second lowest against Sri Lanka, following a dismal 74 all out in 2013. Sri Lanka’s victory margin of 174 runs marks their largest win by runs against Australia in One Day Internationals.

“The plan was for the top order to bat a bit longer,” Mendis explained. “The heat was tough, and we knew they might struggle, so we aimed to bat as deep as possible.”

Australia’s Aaron Hardie provided his team with an early breakthrough by dismissing opener Pathum Nissanka for just 6 runs with the total at 15. However, Kusal Mendis and Madushka stabilized the innings with a 98-run partnership for the second wicket off 115 balls. Madushka was eventually caught by Adam Zampa off fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis after scoring 51, which included a six and four boundaries.

Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando dismissed Matthew Short lbw for 6 runs, while Jake Fraser-McGurk was caught by Asalanka at mid-off for 9 runs. Travis Head contributed 18 runs before being caught in the deep by substitute fielder Avishka Fernando. A promising partnership of 46 runs between captain Steven Smith and Josh Inglis came to an end when Inglis was bowled by Wellalage for 22 runs. Glenn Maxwell was dismissed for just 1 run, bowled by Wellalage, and Smith was the top scorer for Australia with 29 runs before being trapped lbw by leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

Wellalage’s impressive figures of 4 for 35 helped secure the victory, while Fernando and Hasaranga each claimed three wickets. Australia made five changes from their previous match, recalling Head, Maxwell, and Inglis, while adding fast bowler Dwarshuis and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha to the lineup. Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Spencer Johnson, and Nathan Ellis were omitted from the squad.

Australian captain Smith noted that the team was experimenting ahead of the Champions Trophy later this month in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. “We were certainly trying a few different things,” Smith remarked. “You don’t often see an Australian team making five changes regularly. It was about giving everyone the opportunity to get some time in the middle. Hopefully, we can learn from this, move forward, and have a successful tournament in Pakistan.”

Sri Lanka also made a change to their lineup, dropping opener Avishka Fernando and recalling Nishan Madushka.

Cricket news

Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.