SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(JUNE 2025)
Compiled by Victor Melder
Former Sri Lankan off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been indicted by the Hambantota High Court for attempting to lure a fellow player into match-fixing during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL). According reports, he made the corrupt approach to another national player Tharindu Ratnayake, who was playing for Colombo Kings at that time. The Attorney General’s Department stated that this is the first indictment of a national-level cricketer for match-fixing under the country’s recently introduced anti-corruption law. Senanayake was arrested and released on bail in 2023. The 40-year-old played one Test, 49 One Day Internationals and 24 Twenty20 Internationals for Sri Lanka between 2012 and 2016, taking a total of 78 wickets. He was a member of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup-winning squad.(Ceylon Today, 7.6.2025)
The Supreme Court has granted interim relief to the country’s national cricket cricketers in their ongoing dispute with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) over tax deductions, while setting an expeditious hearing schedule for November this year.The landmark case, brought by men’s captains Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva alongside women’s captains Chamari Athapaththu and Anushka Sanjeewani, centres on the controversial Advanced Personal Income Tax (APIT) deductions imposed on professional cricketers. Under the interim settlement proposal agreed by the IRD and endorsed by the court, several key provisions have been established to protect the players’ interests while the matter proceeds. Most significantly, APIT deductions from players will commence from June, but these amounts can be offset against their personal tax payments. Should the court ultimately rule in favour of the cricketers, all deducted funds will be refunded. The arrangement also provides substantial protection for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), with the court agreeing that while Notice of Assessments will be issued to the governing body, no recovery proceedings will be instituted against them. SLC has reserved its legal right to challenge these notices.In a crucial concession, the IRD has agreed to suspend all recovery proceedings for APIT relating to the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons, with this moratorium extending until the matter’s conclusion. This provides breathing space for both the players and the cricket board during what promises to be a complex legal battle.The court has established a strict timeline for the case’s resolution, with formal notices already issued to both the IRD and SLC. The matter has been scheduled for hearings across three dates in November 2025. The objections are due by August 29, with counter-arguments scheduled for September 29. The substantive hearings will then take place on November 6, 14, and 18. Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne appearing for the petitioners argued that cricketers hold limited-period contracts, maintain other employment status, and have never received traditional employment benefits like EPF or ETF from Sri Lanka Cricket. Representing the male cricketers, Nishan Premathiratne appears alongside Shenali Dias and Sidath Gajanayaka, instructed by Gamindu Karunasena. The women’s captains are represented by President’s Counsel Harsha Cabral, working with Vikum Jayasinghe and Manith Dassanayake, also on Karunasena’s instructions.Sri Lanka Cricket has engaged President’s Counsel Kuvera de Zoysa and Sajana de Zoysa, instructed by Sanjay Fonseka, whilst the State’s interests are represented by Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe, appearing for both the IRD and the Auditor General. (Sunday Times, 8.6.2025)
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has named the following 18-member squad for the first Test match.The two match test series will commence on 17th June 2025 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Test Squad : Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Ratnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara . Although Lahiru Kumara was selected but will not play as he has suffered an injury during practice. (Contributed)
Milan Rathnayake been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh in Colombo, which will start on June 25, with a side strain. Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando has been named as his replacement. Spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage was also drafted into Sri Lanka’s squad. The 22-year-old is set to take the spot of Angelo Mathews, who had retired from Test cricket after the first Test. Milan had briefly exited the field on the second morning in Galle, but had returned later to end the first innings with three wickets – he finished with four across the Test. He had been miserly with his economy rate, and his burst in the final session of day two ensured Bangladesh’s first-innings total remained within Sri Lanka’s reach. Then with the bat, he was part of a crucial 84-run seventh-wicket stand with Kamindu Mendis, in which the allrounder contributed with 39 off 83.If Sri Lanka seek to replace him in the XI with another allrounder, another seam-bowling allrounder isn’t available in the squad. Wellalage and Sonal Dinusha are both useful with their left-arm spin, but with SSC pitch not as conducive to spin as Galle – which itself was unusually batter-friendly – Sri Lanka will likely want to go with extra seam-bowling option. If either were to get picked, Tharindu Rathnayake might be the odd man out. Vishwa, Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha and the uncapped Isitha Wijesundara make up the pace contingent. As for Mathews’ replacement in the XI, it’s more likely to come from one of Pasindu Sooriyabandara or Pavan Rathnayake, both of whom have impressed domestically and with Sri Lanka A recently. Oshada Fernando is also a potential pick, having returned to the national fold following an impressive stint with Sri Lanka A towards the end of 2024. After the second match against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will not play another Test until next year. Sri Lanka squad for second Test: Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundar (Cricinfo) Daily Island, 24.6.2025)
The first Test between the touring Bangladeshi’s and Sri Lanka, played at the Galle International Stadium, ended in a draw. Scores:
Bangladesh, 1st Innings – 495 (Rahim 163, Shanto 148, Das 90, A. Fernando 4/86M.Ratnayake 3/90, T. Ratnayake 3/196)
Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 485 (Nissanka 187, K. Mendis 87, Chandimal 54, Mathews 39, M. Ratnayake 39, Hasan 5/121, Makmud 3/74)
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Bangladesh, 2nd, Innings – 285/6 dec (Shanto 125no, Islam 76, Rahim 49, T.Ratnayake 3/102, M.Ratnayake 1/26)
Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 72/4 (Nissanka 24, Islam 3/23, Hasan 1/29)
Player of the Match: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)
Test Debut: Thavindu Ratnayake and Lahiru Udara (Sri Lanka, Alex Wharf (Bangladesh)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced significant amendments to its playing conditions for men’s international cricket, with new regulations set to take effect in all formats. While some changes have already been integrated into the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, the upcoming adjustments to white-ball cricket will be enforced starting 2 July. Stop-clock in Test Cricket: One of the most notable changes is the introduction of a stop clock in Test cricket, aimed at addressing slow over rates. Fielding teams must be ready to begin the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one’s conclusion. Umpires will issue warnings for the first two violations, followed by a five-run penalty for subsequent breaches. This measure, already in place for the WTC cycle, is expected to enhance the flow of the game.’ ‘Saliva rule’ amendment: Additionally, the saliva rule has been revised. While the ban on saliva remains, if a fielding team applies saliva, umpires will no longer immediately change the ball unless it has visibly altered its condition. In the case of an unusual ball behaviour, the batting team will be awarded five runs, but the ball won’t be replaced. RS changes: Changes have also been made to DRS procedures. In the case of a batter being given out caught and the review showing no bat involvement, the secondary mode of dismissal, such as LBW, will now still result in an ‘out’ decision if the ball-tracking shows an ‘umpire’s call.’ The change aligns with a more consistent approach to reviewing decisions. Combined appeals rule: In cases involving combined appeals, such as LBW and run-out, reviews will now be processed in the order they occurred. This ensures a more fair and consistent method, as the second review will not be considered if the first incident leads to a dismissal. No-ball rule changed for catch-dismissals: The no-ball and catch fairness rule has been adjusted as well. If a no-ball is called while a catch is being reviewed, the fairness of the catch will still be scrutinised by the TV umpire. A clean catch will result in the batting side receiving only the no-ball run, while any unfair catch will grant the batting side the runs they completed. The ICC has also introduced stricter penalties for deliberate short runs. In addition to the previous five-run penalty, the fielding captain will now have the choice of which batter remains on strike if a batter is found to have deliberately failed to make their ground to gain an extra run. These adjustments reflect the ICC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the game’s competitiveness and fairness across. (Ceylon Today, 27.6.2025)
Sri Lanka beat the touring Bangladeshi’s by an innings and 78 runs, to win the second and final test played at the SSC grounds, Colombo. Scores:
Bangladesh, 1st Innings – 247 (S.Islam 46, Rahim 35, Das 34, T.Islam 33, Dinusha 3/22, A .Fernando 3/51, V. Fernando 2/45)
Sri Lanka, 1st Innings – 458 (Nissanka 158, Chandimal 93, K,Mendis 84, Udara 40, T.Islam 5/131, Hassan 3.87)
Bangladesh, 2nd Innings – 133 (Rahim 26, Jayasuriya 5/56, de Silva 2/13, Ratnayake 2/11)
Sri Lanka won the 2-match series 1-0.
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Player of the Series: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Test Debut: Sonal Dinush (Sri Lanka) and Alahuddien Palekar (Bangladesh)
The Sri Lanka National Men’s Cricket Team is set to tour Zimbabwe for an exciting white-ball series in late August and early September 2025. The tour includes two One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), all to be played at the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe’s premier cricket venue.The series begins with the 1st ODI on 29 August, where both sides will be eager to start strong. Just two days later, on 31 August, they meet again for the 2nd ODI, wrapping up the 50-over leg of the tour. These matches will be crucial for teams. After the ODIs, attention shifts to the T20I format. The 1st T20I is scheduled for 3 September, giving players little time to adjust. The 2nd T20I will take place on 6 September, followed quickly by the 3rd and final T20I on 7 September, bringing the tour to a close. Sri Lanka were last in Zimbabwe in 2023, for the ODI World Cup Qualifiers, but have not played a bilateral series in Zimbabwe since 2016. They are currently hosting Bangladesh for an all-format tour of two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.Tour Schedule (All matches at Harare Sports Club):29 August – 1st ODI, 29 August – 1st ODI, 31 August – 2nd ODI, 3 September – 1st T20I, 6 September – 2nd T20I,7 September – 3rd T20I (Ceylon Today, 29.6.2025)
Sri Lanka is placed third on the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table after the series victory over Bangladesh Sri Lanka will meet West Indies in their next two test match series in West Indies in June 2026.Sri Lanka has a win percentage of 66.67 after managing one win and a draw in the two-match test series against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka drew the first test in Galle, before bouncing back to beat the visitors by an innings and 78 runs in the second test in Colombo. Sri Lanka obtained 16 points with their 1-0 series win. (12 points for a win, 6 points for a tie, 4 points for a draw). Meanwhile, Australia jumped to the top spot on the WTC points table after beating West Indies by 159 runs in the first test of the three-match series at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. England beat India by 5 wickets in their first test at Headingley are in second place of the WTC points table. with hosts Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in a two-match series. India began their campaign in the competition with the ongoing five-match test series against England, while Australia locked horns with West Indies in the first assignment in the new cycle. England are currently second, having beaten India in the first test at Headingley in Leeds earlier this week. Bangladesh is on fourth place. India and West Indies are reeling at the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 points table, having lost their respective first matches in the cycle. The teams of reigning champions New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan are yet to begin their campaign in the WTC 2025-27. Sri Lanka finished at 6th position in last WTC points table while South Africa won the championship defeating Australia in the final at Lords. (Daily News, 30.6.2025)
