Mendis leads Sri Lanka to 7-wicket win over Bangladesh in 1st T20
Mendis followed his ODI century two days ago at the same venue with a 73 off 51 balls as Sri Lanka cruised to 159-3 with an over to spare for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Former captain Dasun Shanaka made an impressive return to white-ball cricket after almost one year and limited Bangladesh to 154-5 after Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to field.
Mendis and Pathum Nissanka (42) had all but sealed the chase inside the first five overs with their belligerent hitting as Sri Lanka sped to 78-1.
Nissanka smashed fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin's first three deliveries for boundaries and Taskin Ahmed conceded 34 off his first two overs inside the powerplay, with Mendis smacking the pace bowler for three boundaries and three sixes.
Nissanka's entertaining 16-ball knock ended when he holed out to mid-on but not before hoisting spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz for two sixes.
Mendis eased to his 16th T20 half century off 31 balls and — although leg-spinner Rishad Hossain beat Kusal Perera with a googly in the 13th over and had the left-hander splice an easy catch to wicketkeeper Litton Das — Sri Lanka eased to victory.
Shamim Hossain timed his jump to perfection at short extra cover and plucked a brilliant left-handed catch to end Mendis' innings when Sri Lanka was only seven away from victory, after fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin found the leading edge of the batter.
Earlier, opener Parvez Hossain Emon showed plenty of aggression in the powerplay with his breezy knock of 38 off 22 balls before Shanaka squeezed Bangladesh's middle-order with his slower balls.
Emon, who hit five fours and a six, couldn't clear Shanaka at long-on when he attempted a big hit against Nuwan Thushara as Bangladesh slid to 67-3.
Leg-spinner Jeffery Vandersay perfectly filled the void of injured Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury. Vandersay had Das leg before wicket for just six as the batter misread the googly and went for a sweep.
Mohammad Naim made an unbeaten 32 off 29 balls, but Bangladesh's batters couldn't find acceleration even in the death overs with Shamim Hossain (14 not out) hitting two late sixes to breach the 150-run mark.
___
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Yu Zidi: The 12-year-old Chinese phenom taking the swimming world by storm
At just 12 years old, China's Yu Zidi is already one of the fastest swimmers in the world. Her times are so quick in fact, that she's already in contention to win medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in the coming days. World Aquatics has a minimum age requirement of 14 for the world championships, but Yu's times are so fast that she qualifies regardless. The youngster, not yet a teenager, will race in the 200m and 400m meter individual medleys, as well as the 200m butterfly. The precocious pre-teen may also be selected for China's relay teams. It will mark the first time in her incredibly short career that Yu will come up against the very best in the world – many of whom will have paid attention to the staggering times she has set in her country so far. At the national championships back in May, the Chinese prodigy swam the 200m individual relay in 2:10.63. Not only did it win her a silver medal, but it was also the fastest time ever recorded by a 12-year-old, man or woman, in that discipline She then swam the 200m butterfly, arguably her best stroke, in 2:06.83. That time would have put her fourth in last year's Olympics, but it was also the fifth-fastest time in the world this year. During the 2024 world championships, the time would have been enough to win her a gold medal. While her personal bests are breathtaking, it's even more impressive when you consider her age. It's an incredible rise for a girl who, according to the Associated Press (AP), only started swimming when she was six. 'The summer was too hot, and my dad took me to the water park,' she told China's official Xinhua News Agency, per the Associated Press. 'I enjoyed the coolness of the water and spent a lot of time in different small pools for kids. One day, a coach approached me and asked if I wanted to swim faster.' It's true that swimmers, particularly women, can compete on a world level when they are still very young. You only have to look at Canadian star Summer McIntosh as an example. Comparisons with Summer McIntosh At the Tokyo Games in 2021, aged just 14, McIntosh made her Olympic debut, finishing fourth in the 200-meter freestyle. She bagged gold in the 200m butterfly and 400m medley at the world championships in 2022, as well as two golds at the Commonwealth Games in the 200m and 400m medleys. Now 18, the Canadian is one of the greatest swimmers in the world, recently posting the second-fastest 200m butterfly in history. American Katie Ledecky is another swimmer who started early, making her Olympic debut in London when she was just 15. Now, she's the most decorated female US Olympian of all time, with 14 medals to her name, including nine golds. Both will serve as inspiration for Yu, who will look to continue her trajectory over the coming years. The LA Olympics in 2028 are the obvious target. Yu will be 15 by then and would surely be among the medal contenders if things keep progressing as they are. There are risks, naturally, that Yu could burn out as she is introduced to tougher competition and years of training, but for now, the 12-year-old is keeping her feet on the ground. 'Since I am not competitive in the sprint events, I have to choose the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter butterfly as my favorites,' she said. 'My age is currently an advantage and I hope to grow and develop more strength in the future.'
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Eddie Howe Needs Help At Newcastle United Amid Alexander Isak Saga
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe (L) speaks to the media ... More alongside captain Bruno Guimaraes (R) during a Press Conference prior to the Singapore Festival of Football game against Arsenal, on July 26, 2025 in Singapore. (Photo by Harriet Massey/ Newcastle United via Getty Images) Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has said striker Alexander Isak's future will be decided by the club's ownership, in what could be perceived as the first public easing of its stance over the wantaway Sweden international. But his quotes were a pointed message to those above him too; he needs help. Isak, 25, is not with Newcastle on its pre-season tour of Asia. Officially, the reason given is he is nursing a thigh strain, but speculation has been rife that the player wants to leave St James' Park this summer, with Premier League champions Liverpool circling. Newcastle faces Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, and although growing the club's commercial appeal and revenue streams is the reason behind the trip, all anybody has focussed on is Isak and his future. A week on from defeat at Celtic, Howe has again reiterated his desire for Isak to stay, but was noticeably less forthright in that view. Instead, he said he 'hopes" Isak will be playing for Newcastle come September, but that ultimately it would not be down to him to make that call. Fans have been frustrated by the lack of obvious direction from the top this summer. The ownership group, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and Jamie Reuben, rarely if ever speak publicly, while CEO Darren Eales is serving his notice before departing without a confirmed successor and Paul Mitchell is yet to be replaced as sporting director. 'Of course there's things going on behind the scenes,' Howe said. 'I mean [Isak] will be aware he's in the news every day, and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone in that situation. 'Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. He's been magnificent for us for as long as he's joined. He's very popular in the dressing room. 'We'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle, and all I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. 'The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.' Newcastle has always maintained Isak is not for sale, but Howe is the most senior figure speaking publicly, with no member of the board on the tour. He has spoken of the difficulty of losing Mitchell in terms of man power when negotiating deals, and he is operating in a role far beyond the one he was hired to do in November 2021. Perhaps this was the first shot fired upstairs; he can't and shouldn't be doing everything. 'There's always big decisions to make when you're at Newcastle. I think that goes with the territory," he added. 'I'm not actually having daily contact with anyone connected with the board. We're out here. It's been a whirlwind here in a sense of training and the intensity of what we're doing.' NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United with Eddie Howe the ... More head coach / manager of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at St James' Park on February 23, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) Captain Bruno Guimaraes was asked about Isak alongside defender Dan Burn upon the team's arrival on Friday, and made it clear that he was in no position to comment on a team-mate beyond saying he is recovering from his injury on Tyneside. There is nothing official coming from anyone at the top, in part because nobody is really authorized to speak. PIF Governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan wants Isak to stay. Yet Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, also PIF owned, is said to be interested in a move for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez, which would help the club fund its anticipated British record move for Isak, and has also made reportedly made an offer to Newcastle's talisman itself. Talk about mixed messages. There is an amateurish feel to the running of the club at the moment, and that certainly hasn't gone unnoticed. There have been comparisons to summers under the previous owner Mike Ashley, when lack of communication, a skeletal staff in the boardroom and questions over motivation were the norm. Supporters could be forgiven for thinking those days were long gone when the richest owners in the world came along four years ago and oversaw a first domestic trophy lift in 70 years and two Champions League qualifications. But therein lies the issue. Howe has created an elite environment within the squad and on the training pitch: his domain. Yet the club is miles off that pace in terms of professionalism and direction at board level, with numerous transfer targets missed, instability in key roles and silence on things like the training ground and stadium plans. While Howe's work has helped develop Isak into a world class striker befitting of payment and success at the very top, the way the club has been run over the past year or so has contributed to him thinking he needs to go elsewhere to get them. Officially, Newcastle remains clear that Isak will not be sold, but the club is reportedly pursuing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko as a replacement. The diluting of Howe's message on his future could be seen as him wanting a quick resolution to the saga, with the Premier League season kicking off in three weeks. But it was also a sharp reminder to the people above him at Newcastle. This saga has come at the worst possible time for the club to react, but Howe can't do everything; he has carried it on his back for too long and needs support. Immediately.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Arsenal vs Newcastle: Friendly prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h, odds
Arsenal take on Newcastle in the second game of their pre-season tour of Asia. The Gunners face the Magpies at the National Stadium in Singapore, where many of their recent recruits will get another run-out as they look to gel with their new team-mates. Mikel Arteta has gone big in the transfer window this summer, bringing in the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to bolster his engine room, while Noni Madueke adds flair and versatility in the wide areas. Kepa Arrizabalaga will rival compatriot David Raya in the goalkeeping department, and Cristhian Mosquera adds important depth across the backline. Viktor Gyokeres is expected to become an Arsenal player this weekend, but this game will come too soon for the Swede, who is set to finalise his initial £63.5million move from Sporting Lisbon. Date, kick-off time and venue Arsenal vs Newcastle is scheduled for a 12.30pm BST kick-off on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The game will be played at the National Stadium in Singapore. Where to watch Arsenal vs Newcastle TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised. Live stream: Viewers can stream the game live on Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog! Arsenal vs Newcastle team news From an Arsenal perspective, there are three major absentees. Brazilian pair Gabriel and Gabriel Jesus are both ruled out, with Arteta saying that he needed to 'manage' the former and 'minimise risk'. Jurrien Timber is another that is sidelined with an ankle injury, and he will not be able to face Newcastle. Madueke, the new £52m signing from Chelsea, will not be involved due to his involvement at the Club World Cup with the Blues, who won the revamped tournament in the United States. Mosquera, the most recent arrival from Valencia, could make his bow in an Arsenal shirt having joined up with the squad in Singapore. As for Newcastle, there is one huge miss: Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker reportedly wants to leave the north-east amid interest from Liverpool, but he has also remained on Tyneside as he continues to nurse a thigh injury. Lewis Hall is their other injury concern, with the left-back sidelined thanks to an ankle issue. Arsenal vs Newcastle prediction Arsenal are fortunate to have almost a full complement available to them, and their new signings - brought in early in the window - have ample time to gel and really bolster their numbers and depth. As for Newcastle, they are looking relatively bare bones, with manager Eddie Howe admitting that his side have to get stuck into the transfer market. That is particularly the case if Isak departs, with Newcastle wanting a top striker to potentially replace him. Without Isak, they sometimes lack that bite in attack, although Anthony Gordon can be expected to deputise through the middle, which could mean Harvey Barnes comes in on the left, and new boy Anthony Elanga goes straight in off the right. That said, Arsenal should have too much for Newcastle at this moment in time. Arsenal to win, 3-1 Head to head (h2h) history and results These two sides played each other four times last term, with Newcastle winning three of those encounters. Two of those were semi-final legs of the League Cup, which the Magpies lifted at Wembley when they beat Liverpool. Arsenal wins: 86 Newcastle wins: 72 Draws: 39 Arsenal vs Newcastle match odds Arsenal to win: 8/15 Newcastle to win: 7/2 Draw: 12/5 Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
