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  By K.R. Nayar Two cricketers, one nicknamed 'Negombo Nailer' and another called 'Sweepologist,' produced a brilliant show to ensure that the second match of the skyfair.news Lanka Premier League 2023 resulted in a tie. However, in the Super Over, Galle Titans beat the spirited Dambulla Aura at the Colombo R. Premadasa Stadium on Monday.   Dasun Shanaka,  skipper of Galle Titans, nicknamed ‘Negombo Nailer’ after his birthplace Negombo and his style of batting, cracked an unbeaten 42 to give his team a total of 180 for 5 in 20 overs. He also bowled brilliantly, taking three wickets for 27 runs from his four overs. However, the hero who ensured the tie for Dambulla was Australia's Alex Ross through an unbeaten 39. Ross, once addressed as 'Sweepologist' by TV commentators during the Big Bash League (BBL), was backed by Dhananjaya de Silva (43) and Kusal Perera (40) in the stupendous chase that equaled the score at 180 for 7 in 20 overs.   Alex Ross ....

By K.R. Nayar The first match of the skyfair.news Lanka Premier League 2023 took place on Sunday night at the Colombo R. Premadasa Stadium, featuring two half-centuries – one leading his team to success, and another that went in vain, along with a fine spell of leg spin. Jaffna Kings emerged victorious with a 21-run win over Colombo Strikers. Notably, the top performers for the winners were all below the age of 23. The half-century maker for Jaffna Kings was 22-year-old Towhid Hridoy, who impressed with 54 runs off 39 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Jaffna Kings set a target of 173 for 5 in 20 overs and successfully restricted Colombo Strikers to 152 in 19.4 overs. This was achieved largely due to 21-year-old leg spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, who picked up two crucial wickets for just 17 runs from his four overs, earning him the Player of the Match award. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth with his idol R Ashwin  Viyaskanth's admiration for India’s Ravichandran Ashwin was e...

By K.R. Nayar Ahead of the first match of the skyfair.news 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL) between Colombo Strikers and Jaffna Kingsheld, a spectacular opening ceremony was held at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Marking the start of the 22-day-long league, this ceremony mixed high-octane music, Sri Lankan culture, dance, fireworks, and fanfare, lighting up the evening. This historic stadium became the stage where, through the display of dancing stunts and with 25 drummers energetically welcoming everyone in traditional Sri Lankan outfits, the famous singer Yohani Diloka de Silva, who also happens to be the Brand Ambassador for the league, enthralled everyone with her enchanting voice. Thousands had assembled to listen to this global YouTube sensation. The flow of more events further glorified the start. The Chief Guest, Mr. Shammi Silva, the President of Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC), voiced enthusiasm for the tournament and the growth of cricket in Sri Lanka. He said: “The Lanka ...

By K.R. Nayar When Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique smashed a double century in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds, securing his country an innings and 222-run victory over Sri Lanka, I was very happy for his father, Shafique Ahmed, who has been shaping the careers of thousands of Dubai school cricketers over the years as a coach at Gems Modern Academy.   I have extensively covered schools cricket and hence have been in touch with almost all school team coaches. One coach who would regularly call me to share his school's victories was Shafique Ahmed. He was always enthusiastic about highlighting his school's top performers. I believe that his son, Abdullah, who has now become a Pakistan Test star, is an exemplary testament to cricket rewarding those who love the game earnestly and strive to motivate youngsters to give their best.   Shafique Ahmed  It is through my regular interactions with  Shafique that I realised he wa...

By K.R. Nayar Cricket is not only about creating excitement through its great contests, but its magnificence is raised when it also strives to serve humanity. The game's popularity today is purely due to the love for the game among the masses. In line with that, the Lanka Premier League's plans to support the masses by raising funds to build a critical care unit for children deserves to be applauded.   LPL has launched a campaign titled 'Bat & Bowl for Little Hearts.' This campaign will focus on supporting the 'Little Hearts' project of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo. Sri Lanka Cricket's Executive Committee, headed by President Shammi Silva, announced that they have decided to leverage the upcoming league's international exposure to help the 'Little Hearts' project raise funds for building a 'Cardiac and Critical Care Complex' at the LRH. This complex aims to save thousands of little hearts that are beating weaker a...

By K.R. Nayar Galle Titans, who are participating in the upcoming Lanka Premier League T20, 2023, have plans to extend their presence in more franchise league tournaments. Their brand owner, Nayana Wasalathilake, stated that the Titans aim to play in leagues held in Dubai and Nepal, while proudly representing Sri Lanka.   Galle Titans' owner Nayana Wasalathilake addresses a press conference with CEO Achintha Hewanayake   Formerly known as Galle Gladiators, the team hopes to make a significant impact in the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League T20 taking place from July 30 to August 21.   The Galle Titans began their training on July 18. While elaborating on his plans for the future, Nayana Wasalathilake spoke about his desire to expand the Sri Lankan brand through the team since he wanted to give back to his country. He also expressed his pride in being a part of the franchise. As a successful businessman and a sports enthusiast, Wasalathil...

By K.R. Nayar Former Kerala captain and star batsman K. Jayaram, who left top cricketers in awe with his performances,  tragically passed away on Saturday (July 15). He was a cricketer who demonstrated that circumstances cannot prevent one from achieving greatness. During my growing up days, I always wanted to get close to him and talk to him. He was a batsman who impressed me greatly through his powerful performances for Kerala, even against the toughest of bowling attacks featuring international stars. I had never imagined that one day I would  get the opportunity to get a picture with him, that too with my arm around him.   Posing with K. Jayaram (left) There are many reasons as to why I held this batsman in such high regard despite his lack of international cricket experience. It is said that during the 1986-87 Ranji Trophy season, when Jayaram scored a century against Karnataka, the legendary G. R. Vishwanath, impressed by his knock, had walked up to him from t...

By K.R. Nayar David Miller, South Africa's overseas icon player for the Jaffna Kings in the upcoming Lanka Premier League 2023, was presented like a majestic Roman emperor in a recent tweet by LPL 2023, and the caption for the picture read, "Killer Miller has chosen his kingdom! Watch David Miller conquer the pitch with Lyca's Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League! The action begins on July 30th!"   The manner in which he held the bat like a sword said it all. It is well known  that once Miller conquers the bowling attack, his bat is deadlier than a sword. It can massacre any bowling with absolute ease. Miller acquired the nickname 'Killer Miller' while playing in the 2013 Indian Premier League, where during his knock of 101 for Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he had mercilessly thrashed their bowling attack. Some fans in the stadium had created placards titled 'Killer Miller,' which were then displayed on the giant screen.   J...

By K.R. Nayar Sharjah Cricket Academy's tour of the United Kingdom (UK) commenced today, from July 11 to July 20. This academy, one of the oldest in the UAE, will play matches against county club teams in the UK. A pre-tour meeting was held on July 9 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, headed by Mr. Mazhar Khan, General Manager of Sharjah Cricket, and Mr. Sivakumar Meyyappan, Chief Operating Officer. All tour members and parents attended the meeting.   Sharjah Cricket Academy team before their departure to UK with coaches and Sharjah Cricket Council officials  Former UAE captain Khurram Khan, who played a pivotal role in UAE's qualification for the 2015 World Cup, is the Head of the Sharjah Cricket Academy, along with Niaz Ul Islam as Head Coach. The objective of the UK tour is to gain exposure by playing in different conditions.   The jersey launch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium by Mazhar Khan and Khurram Khan  During the pre-tour meeting, a jersey launch was ...