Dassanayake replaced Stuart Law as the head coach, following Law’s departure at the end of last year after leading the team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

This is the second time Dassanayake is working as head coach of the USA, having previously held the role for 03 years from 2016 to 2019.

During his previous tenure, Dassanayake played a key role in helping the USA secure their ODI status and establish themselves as an emerging force in the world of cricket.

With the USA already qualified for next year’s T20 World Cup in India, Dassanayake is eager to lead the team in another global tournament and further develop the foundation he helped lay in the previous decade.

Expressing his excitement, Pubudu Dassanayake stated that “It’s an honour to return and lead the USA Men’s National Team.”

“I’m proud of what we accomplished during my previous time here, and I see tremendous potential in this group to reach even greater heights.

“I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket.”

Dassanayake played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for Sri Lanka towards the end of last century, before moving to Canada and playing in their national side at the end of his playing career.

After extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders, the Board has decided to proceed with the remainder of the season, the BCCI states.

.A total of 17 matches will be played across 06 venues, starting May 17, 2025, with the final on June 03, 2025.

The revised match schedule is as follows :

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The incident took place during the final group stage game of the recently concluded tri-series in Sri Lanka, with the hosts facing South Africa in Colombo. The Proteas emerged victorious in a high-scoring fixture.

Athapaththu was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”

In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Athapaththu’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

The said incident occurred in the 32nd over of South Africa’s innings, when after being hit for a four by Annerie Dercksen, Athapaththu took off her sunglasses and smashed them to the ground, breaking them into several pieces.

The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Anna Harris and Dedunu de Silva, third umpire Lyndon Hannibal and fourth umpire Nimali Perera.

There was no need of a hearing as Athapaththu admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by Michelle Pereira of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

The tri-series was eventually won by India, who defeated Sri Lanka, the tournament hosts in the final by 97 runs.

(ICC)

Overnight, India accused Pakistan of attacking three of its military bases with drones and missiles, a claim which Islamabad denied.

Pakistani authorities say 31 people have been killed and 57 injured by Indian air strikes in the country and Pakistan-administered Kashmir since Wednesday morning.

Twenty-six civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir last month and India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants behind the attack – an allegation the neighbouring country has rejected.

The situation escalated on Tuesday evening when India launched a series of strikes in a move named “Operation Sindoor”.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said: “The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans.

“While the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders.”

On Thursday, the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abandoned mid-match because of floodlight failure, with players, staff and media set to be evacuated from the city, which lies close to the contested region of Kashmir.

Later on the same day, the remaining matches in the Pakistan Super League were moved to the United Arab Emirates.

The IPL, the richest franchise T20 league in the world, had been set to run until 23 May, with 16 games left to be played.

“Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders,” said the BCCI.

There are 10 England players – past and present – involved in this year’s tournament. They include former white-ball captain Jos Buttler, fast bowler Jofra Archer and all-rounder Jacob Bethell.

IPL matches have been staged outside India before, with the 2009 edition held in South Africa following an attack on the Sri Lankan national side in Lahore in Pakistan, while the 2020 and second half of the 2021 seasons were staged in the United Arab Emirates during the Covid-19 pandemic.

(BBC News)

According to a statement issued today (April 28), the terminations were made due to the respective franchises’ failure to fulfill contractual obligations outlined in their agreements with the IPG Group, which were established at the commencement of their participation in the league.

Accordingly, the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature franchises representing Colombo and Jaffna under new ownership, the statement notes.

As the event rights holder, the IPG Group retains the exclusive rights over the LPL franchise teams and, accordingly, is vested with the authority to transfer and/or assign the ownership rights of the said franchises to interested parties.

Sri Lanka Cricket and The IPG Group remain committed to upholding the integrity, standards, and success of the Lanka Premier League and look forward to an exciting upcoming season with renewed participation.

Suryavanshi pulled Rashid Khan for six to bring up the second fastest hundred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) – and fastest by an Indian player – from 35 balls.

The teenage left-hander smashed seven fours and 11 sixes before he was eventually bowled for a stunning 101 from 38 balls as the Royals romped to a eight-wicket win over Gujarat Titans.

Suryavanshi, who only turned 14 last month and was signed at last year’s auction for £103,789 (1.1 crore rupees), became the youngest player to feature in the IPL earlier in April and made an immediate impact by hitting his first ball for six.

He showed all of that same swagger in Jaipur as he dismantled the Gujarat attack to ensure Rajasthan made light work of a chase of 210 for victory.

Suryavanshi put on 166 with India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who ended unbeaten on 70 from 40, in a remarkable display of hitting.

A maximum over deep mid-wicket brought up the century in the 11th over and only West Indies great Chris Gayle, with a 30-ball ton for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Pune Warriors in 2013, has got to the milestone quicker in the IPL.

Victory ended a run of five straight losses for Rajasthan to keep their slim hopes of making the knockout stages alive.

Meanwhile, Gujarat – for whom Shubman Gill made 84 from 50 balls and former England skipper Jos Buttler hit an unbeaten half-century in a losing cause – drop to third in the IPL table on net run-rate.

Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi?

Suryavanshi became the youngest player to be signed by an IPL team when he was picked up at the auction after a bidding war last year.

He made headlines last October when, aged 13, he scored a 58-ball century for India Under-19s in a Youth Test against Australia Under-19s in Chennai.

Suryavanshi was also part of India’s Under-19 Asia Cup squad last year. There he scored 176 runs at an average of 44.

He plays first-class cricket for Bihar, a state in eastern India where he grew up, and made his debut aged 12 last January.

He has played five Ranji Trophy matches for Bihar and has scored 100 runs with a highest score of 41.

(BBC News)

The Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, have signed Shanaka for INR 7.5 million (over LKR 25 million).

Shanaka has played only one season of the IPL so far, when he got three games for GT, scored only 26 runs and didn’t get to bowl at all two seasons ago.

Phillips had picked up a groin injury while fielding against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Hyderabad just over ten days ago, and was later ruled out of the tournament to head back home to New Zealand.

The matches will be held from April 24 – May 08.

Chris Silverwood, former Sri Lanka head coach and current Essex director of cricket, played a key role in signing Kasun Rajitha.

“We are delighted to welcome Kasun to Essex and very much look forward to watching him perform in the County Championship,” said Silverwood. “I know his experience and skill set will certainly help strengthen our already superb bowling attack.”

In a statement released by Essex, Rajitha added: “It is a really proud moment for me to be joining Essex. I have followed the team over the years, and they have always produced excellent and entertaining first-class cricket.

“I am joining a strong bowling unit and look forward to contributing on the field and helping the team win matches. I would like to thank Chris Silverwood for giving me this opportunity and Sri Lanka Cricket for allowing me to further hone my skills.”

Rajitha joins Essex after fast bowler Sam Cook’s injury. Rajitha’s addition is also seen as a solution to the loss of Shardul Thakur, who was called up for the IPL, according to the Essex management.

The 31-year-old The right-armer has 18 Test caps, with 55 wickets at 29.58, and returned a career-best 5 for 56 in the last of those appearances, in March 2024 against Bangladesh.

He is scheduled to make his debut tomorrow (April 18) against Worcestershire at Chelmsford.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan “A” chose to bat first and scored 248/8 in 50 overs. 

Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka bagged 04 wickets, while Mohammed Shiraz took 02.

Chasing a target of 249, Sri Lanka “A” reached it in 41.3 overs, losing just 4 wickets. 

Captain Sadeera Samarawickrama played a brilliant knock of 129 runs, earning the Man of the Match award, while Lahiru Udara contributed with 81 runs.

Afghanistan’s Khaleel Ahmed took 02 wickets.