Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene admitted his team choked in the World Twenty20 final against the West Indies, denying themselves a long-awaited title.
It's still early days for Sandeep Patil as chairman of the national selection committee, but he sure knows to identify talent. One of the boys from whom he predicted great things led Sri Lanka to the final of the World Twenty20.
Sanjjeev K Samyal reports.
Jayawardene in WT20
On Thursday night, the atmosphere at the R Premadasa Stadium was electric as the home fans packed the galleries in support of the local heroes, Sri Lanka who beat Pakistan by 16 runs in the first semi-final of the World Twenty20 in Colombo to qualify in the final.
Sanjjeev K Samyal reports.
Scorecard |
Batsman and bowler 
Sri Lanka's players will trigger a nationwide party if they can overcome their flamboyant opposition in a clash that starts at 7.00 pm in the capital Colombo.
Second coming |
Match reckoner
While a mouth-watering clash is on the cards between sub-continental rivals Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the first semifinal of the World Twenty20, all eyes will be on who goes out to toss with Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez on Thursday.
Sanjjeev K Samyal reports.
Match reckoner
Lasith Malinga blew away the England top-order by dismissing three batsmen in a single over as Sri Lanka defeated the defending champions by 19 runs in their last Super Eight match to qualify for the semifinals.
Arjuna Ranatunga's aversion to Twenty20 cricket is not new. It's only grown this season. If earlier he had cringed watching the game take roots in other parts of the cricketing world, this season he's seeing the wave of T20 sweep across his own country.
India and Pakistan faced off on Sunday before a stadium packed to the rafters, and Sri Lanka's games have been well attended too at the World Twenty20.
Mahela Jayawardene today struck a record-equalling sixth half century in ICC World Twenty20 as Sri Lanka brightened their semifinal prospects with a crushing nine-wicket win over West Indies in their Super Eights match in Pallekele.
South Africa beat hosts Sri Lanka by a convincing 32 run margin in a rain-shortened seven-over-a-side World Twenty20 group C match today. Scorecard
Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis is doubtful for Saturday’s match against South Africa due to a side strain he picked up during their opener against Zimbabwe.
Defending champions England’s morale is brilliant after winning both Twenty20 World Cup warm-up games against Pakistan and Australia, captain Stuart Broad said on Thursday, the eve of their opening Group A match against Afghanistan. The 2010 winners beat Pakistan by 15 runs and the Australians by nine runs.
Sri Lanka launched an unprecedented security operation for cricket's World Twenty20 tournament starting today, with the players also under intense surveillance over match-fixing fears.
Place Sri Lanka in a World Cup and they will punch above their weight. Three final appearances, though unsuccessful, in the last four World Cups – two 50-over and two T20 - confirm their love for the grand stage.