China acid test first up for Sri Lanka today

Following their late arrival on Thursday and ensuing internal travel, the Sri Lanka men’s squad did not undergo a morning training session yesterday ahead of the Tuskers’ crunch first group fixture against China at 11:30 a.m. today at the Amblers RFC grounds in Al Ain United Arab Emirates.

Jimmy Neesham, Carlos Brathwaite headline overseas names for LPL

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and T20 World Cup winning West Indian Carlos Brathwaite are among the overseas players signed for this year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Richarlison double gives Brazil World Cup win over Serbia

A second-half brace by Richarlison, including a stunning overhead scissor kick, gave tournament favourites Brazil a 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening World Cup game at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

Nilfer confident ahead of tougher Al Ain test

Mild weather conditions with less humidity (around 25 Celsius) will suit the Sri Lankan rugby sevens contingent that landed in Dubai late last night. A journey of a couple of hours to the region of Al Ain followed where the action is to unfold from tomorrow at Al Ain Amblers RFC sporting facility consisting of four rugby playing fields.

Son and Suarez subdued in Uruguay-Korea World Cup stalemate

The returning Son Heung-min could not inspire South Korea as the Tigers of Asia started their World Cup Group H campaign with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay in Qatar on Thursday.

Embolo lifts Swiss to win over Cameroon at World Cup

Breel Embolo scored against the country of his birth as Switzerland defeated Cameroon 1-0 to make a winning start to their World Cup campaign on Thursday.

Spain ignite World Cup bid by smashing seven past Costa Rica

Spain launched their bid to lift a second World Cup in spectacular style on Wednesday by shredding Costa Rica 7-0 in a brutal display which will serve as a warning to their rivals.

Sports Minister calls for inquiry into Chamika’s omission

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has called for the Director General of the Ministry’s Sports Department to conduct an inquiry into the omission of all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne by the national Cricket selection Committee for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

Main criteria performance, not seniority – Chairman of Selectors

An unusually hard talking Asoka Jayasena, Chairman of National rugby selection panel, reiterated the priority placed on performance in selecting the Al Ain bound Sri Lanka Rugby 7’s squad.

Batshuayi fires Belgium to World Cup win over Canada

Michy Batshuayi’s first-half goal proved enough for a below-par Belgium to squeeze to a 1-0 win over a Canada side playing their first World Cup match for 36 years on Wednesday.

Germany shocked by Japan after World Cup armband protest

Japan produced a stunning late comeback to shock Germany in their World Cup opener on Wednesday after the four-time champions staged a powerful protest against FIFA’s refusal to allow rainbow-themed armbands.

Solid Morocco hold Modric’s Croatia at World Cup

Morocco held Croatia to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the World Cup on Wednesday, producing a spirited display against the 2018 runners-up led by Luka Modric.

Giroud equals Henry record as World Cup holders France sink Australia

Olivier Giroud joined Thierry Henry as France’s all-time leading goalscorer with a brace as the holders roared back to beat Australia 4-1 and get their defence of the World Cup off to a flying start Tuesday.

Poland’s Lewandowski misses penalty in Mexico stalemate

Robert Lewandowski suffered fresh World Cup misery as the Poland striker’s penalty was saved by Guillermo Ochoa in a 0-0 draw against Mexico on Tuesday.

Feisty Tunisia hold Eriksen’s Denmark at World Cup

Tunisia held Denmark to a goalless draw in their World Cup opener on Tuesday, kicking off their Group D campaign with a strong performance against one of the pre-tournament dark horses.

Saudi Arabia defeats Argentina in shock World Cup upset

Saudi Arabia defeated footballing giants Argentina during the pair’s first match at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday, in an upset praised throughout the Arab world.

Sri Lankan rugby still has a lot to offer to Asia and world – AR President

Qais Al-Dhalai, the President of Asia Rugby in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily Mirror’ elaborated on the vision, path, process and role administered by the regional body in ensuring the development and spread of the game.

Bale to the rescue as Wales snatch US draw on World Cup return

Gareth Bale rescued Wales with a late penalty to snatch a 1-1 draw with the United States in their World Cup Group B clash on Monday in Qatar.

Netherlands strike late to beat Senegal on World Cup return

Late goals by Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen gave the Netherlands a 2-0 victory over African champions Senegal on Monday as the three-time beaten finalists made their return to the World Cup stage.

England launch bid for World Cup glory after Qatar slump to defeat

European heavyweights England and the Netherlands launch their World Cup campaigns on Monday as the tournament in Qatar shifts into a higher gear after a dispiriting defeat for the hosts.

Qatar first World Cup hosts to lose opener with Ecuador defeat

Qatar became the first home team to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory over the hosts, with Enner Valencia scoring twice in the tournament curtain-raiser on Sunday.

Verstappen wins season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Vettel retires with a point

Two-time world champion Max Verstappen claimed a record-extending 15th win this year with a ’’sublime’’ performance for Red Bull in Sunday’s tight and strategic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Sebastian Vettel headed into retirement with a point.

SLC launch T10 League for both Men and Women

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially launched the ‘Lanka T10’; a franchise league set to be contested in a 10 overs per side format, at a media briefing held in Colombo on Sunday.

CCC retain Major Club title, complete three-peat

CCC, led by Ashan Priyanjan, put in a gallant fightback in a high-scoring Major Club Cricket final to record a first-innings win over Tamil Union at the SSC ground on Sunday to clinch the title.

Qatar faces acid test in World Cup opener after 12 years of spending

Qatar will finally get their home World Cup under way on Sunday, 12 years after the nation’s successful bid put into motion wide-ranging preparations which cost billions of dollars.

Isuru Udana stars on day two for Tamil Union

Isuru Udana cracked a quick-fire 72-ball knock of 88, inclusive of eight boundaries and three sixes, as he helped Tamil Union to a formidable score of 558 runs on day two of the Major Club cricket final played at the SSC ground.

Danushka Gunathilaka granted bail on sexual assault charges

Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been granted bail on sexual assault charges after a court heard he had the support of the Sri Lankan cricket association and government and a surety of $150,000 was offered.

IPL: Chameera released; Rajapaksa, Hasaranga, Theekshana and Pathirana retained

Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was released by the Indian Premier League franchise the Lucknow Super Giants, as the eight teams released their lists of players retained ahead of December’s Player Auction.

Column: Buttler’s boys redefining T20 cricket

Jos Buttler and co lifted the T20 World Cup on Sunday after beating Pakistan in the grand finale that came to an end at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

World Cup countdown enters final week with Qatar under microscope

The week-long countdown to the World Cup in Qatar began on Monday as the world’s leading footballers focused their attention on one of the most controversial tournaments in history.