As New Zealand women play in Colombo today, here’s a kutty story. In 1992, after a suicide blast outside their hotel killed Navy Chief Clancy Fernando, players wanted to go home. SLC appealed to captain Martin Crowe. Tour continued. Cricket survived. These Kiwis, lovely people.

Chamari Athapaththu is currently undergoing treatment for a cramp in her right leg that she experienced while batting today. The team management has confirmed that she will return to bat.

Last night, battling low sugar mid-innings, Sophie Devine paused to check her levels, popped a few jelly beans, sipped some coke and guided New Zealand to victory. “With diabetes, it’s always a balancing act, sometimes you’ve got to do it ugly,’ she said. What an inspiration.

Remarkable comeback by South Africa after a horror start in Women’s World Cup. They were bowled out for 69 by England. Then after beating New Zeland, they’ve now given a killer blow to India, who looked to have all bases covered. Not an upset, but now the tournament is wide open.

From Wasim Akram’s book. ‘One day in Sydney, Imran Khan took me to the famous fish restaurant Doyle’s. Oysters? Calamari? I could make nothing of them. I stuck to bread and butter. Nor could I make much of the guest I was sitting next to; ‘He’s Elton John,’ Imran confided.

Truly remarkable. Congrats to Jaffna boys and teachers.

Big games coming up in the women’s World Cup in Colombo over the weekend. Tomorrow Sri Lanka will take on seven time champions Australia followed by Sunday’s much anticipated India - Pakistan game. Entry for all Colombo games in the World Cup is free.

Pathum Nissanka has moved up to number five in ICC Rankings for batters in T20Is. He’s overtaken both Suryakumar Yadav and Travis Head in the latest rankings. On Friday he became only the fourth Sri Lankan to score a hundred in a T20I after MJ, Dilshan and KJP.

As @anuradisanayake visits Japan, remember this: if not for the idiocy and corruption of @GotabayaR , we’d be on a Japanese-funded LRT today. He ditched a 0.1% loan, 40 years to repay, 12 years’ grace. That’s when capital punishment feels like a sound policy option. @jica_direct

India versus Pakistan used to be fun. Last night, the cricket was top notch but what followed was absolute farce. Sports should unite people not divide them. Such a pity that we don’t have men of the caliber of Jagmohan Dalmiya and Abdul Hafeez Kardar anymore.

Fiery press conference by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. He says he will donate all his match fees from the Asia Cup to the Indian Army.

Sri Lanka’s fielding has gone up a gear this Asia Cup. Stunning catches, direct hits and a mindset to save 10 runs a game. No more optional training under SJ, with Upul Chandana sweating it out as hard as the players. Work in progress and the rewards will soon show. Great to see.

From sharp cuts to elegant lofts, Pathum Nissanka lit up Dubai with a batting exhibition for the ages! 🇱🇰💥 #AsiaCup2025 @RexClementine https://t.co/yM0X8T1Uw7

Last night at half way mark all the talk was how good is Abhishek Sharma. By end of it Pathum Nissanka had become cynosure of all eyes. Now has the highest score by a Sri Lankan in ODIs and T20Is. If you wonder why he didn’t bat during Super Over, he aggravated a groin injury.

Pathum Nissanka becomes only the fourth Sri Lankan to score a hundred in T20 Internationals after Dilshan, MJ and KJP. What a knock.

There was a sigh of relief when Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is. His replacement Abhishek Sharma looks equally deadly. World’s number one ranked player too in just over a year. What entertainment tonight. Amazing how India keep producing these talents.

Sri Lanka had a terrific first round where they were unbeaten but a few errors in the second round proved to be costly. Seven batters is a tried and tested formula for them and it should stay. Over the years. they’ve banked on ‘all-rounders’ and paid a heavy price. Déjà vu.

Best places to travel in October, 2025. 1. 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 2. 🇹🇷 Turkey 3. 🇺🇸 New Mexico 4. 🇪🇸 Valencia 5. 🇺🇸 New York City 6. 🇵🇭 Philippines 7. 🇧🇹 Bhutan 8. 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 9. 🇷🇴 Timisoara, Romania 10. 🇺🇸 San Francisco 11. 🇳🇦 Namibia (Timeout)

Pakistan opt to bowl in Abu Dhabi. As expected, two changes for Sri Lanka. Maheesh Theekshana and Chamika Karunaratne in for Dunith Wellalage and Kamil Mishara. Must win game for both teams having lost their opening games in the Super Four stage.

No idea why everyone is complaining about the traffic in Dubai. I travel to Lyceum, Wattala two times a day. Now that’s proper chaos. Dubai traffic is nothing.