Former SL cricketer Dammika Ranatunga arrested
COLOMBO, Dec 15: Former Sri Lankan Test cricketer and elder brother of World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, Dammika was arrested by the country’s anti-graft commission and later released on bail on Monday.The Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) said the 63-year-old Dammika was arrested for wrong tendering procedure in the purchase of crude oil by state entity Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) in 2017 when he was its chairman.CIABOC said Dammika’s undue influence had caused a loss of 800 million Sri Lankan rupees to CPC.CIABOC told the Colombo Magistrate Court that Dammika’s younger brother Arjuna had been named as the second accused in the case.Arjuna could not be arrested and produced in court as he is overseas.Arjuna was the Minister of Petroleum Industries when Dammika headed CPC.Dammika played two Tests against Australia as an opener in 1989/90. He later became the first CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, the governing body for the sport in the country. (PTI)
Chotrani, Semwal and Chand to take part in CCI squash
MUMBAI, Dec 15: Veer Chotrani, Anjali Semwal and Suraj Chand will be among the prominent players to take part in the 80th edition of the CCI Western India Squash Tournament here from December 17-21.The tournament is organised under the Squash Rackets Federation of India and the Maharashtra Association and will be played at six glass-backed courts here at the Cricket Club of India.“The rise of multiple Indian players in the PSA World Top 100, including Sourav Ghoshal’s and Joshna Chinappa’s historic surge into the Top 10, underlines the event’s impact on India’s professional squash ecosystem, particularly its role in advancing world-class women athletes,” the organisers said in a release.The competition will be held in multiple categories of boys and girls juniors as well as men and women seniors. (PTI)
Wankhede to host Physical Disability T20 series from today
MUMBAI, Dec 15: The iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will host a three-match Physical Disability T20 Series between India and India A teams from December 16 to 18, the parent body Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) announced.The three-day T20 series aims to promote inclusivity, resilience, and sporting excellence, while highlighting the growing stature of physical disability cricket on the national and international stage.Unmesh Khanvilkar, General Secretary of the MCA, said: “Hosting the Physical Disability Cricket Series for the very first time is a proud milestone for MCA – celebrating resilience, redefining ability, and reaffirming that cricket truly belongs to everyone.“Our President, is deeply committed to promoting and celebrating physical disability cricket, and we will continue to extend our full support.” DCCI General Secretary Ravi Chauhan expressed his excitement, stating: “DCCI extends its heartfelt gratitude to MCA for hosting physical disability cricket. Your commitment to inclusivity and opportunity has strengthened the spirit of the game and empowered our athletes to shine.” (PTI)
GS Delhi Aces bag maiden Tennis PL title
NEW DELHI, Dec 15: GS Delhi Aces registered a dominant 51-36 win over Yash Mumbai Eagles to clinch their maiden Tennis Premier League title here.Belgian player Sofia Costoulas once again produced a commanding performance to beat Riya Bhatia 18-7 and maintain her unbeaten record in women’s singles Sunday night.Delhi Aces continued the momentum in mixed doubles with Costoulas and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan beating Bhatia and Niki Poonacha 16-9 with sharp returns and confident net play.The men’s singles saw Mumbai Eagles’ world No. 57 Damir Dzumhur beat Billy Harris 16-9.Despite the result, GS Delhi Aces continued to maintain a 11-point lead.The men’s doubles was a close contest with Harris and Nedunchezhiyan delivering a composed and controlled performance to beat Niki Poonacha and Dzumhur 8-4. (PTI)
BCB set to propose making match-fixing a criminal offence
DHAKA, Dec 15: Bangladesh is set to become the latest country to make match-fixing a criminal offence, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Integrity Unit working with the government to introduce a law against the menace. A news report said on Monday. Mahin M Rahman, BCB Integrity Unit’s counsel, has informed that they are working to make match-fixing a criminal offence after the BPL’s governing council recently, on advice of the Integrity Unit, kept nine cricketers out of the BPL auction based on a 900-page report submitted by a three-member investigation committee, the report said.The BPL Governing Council omitted nine players from this year’s BPL auction as they were found in the red flag zone due to their activities in the last edition of BPL after BCB formed an investigation committee following a match-fixing scandal that rocked the previous edition of the competition. (IANS)
Indian Deaf Cricket Association Team wins T20 series
DUBAI, Dec 15: IDCA Team achieved a comprehensive victory in the three-match T20 series with strong performances across all departments against the Inclusive Warriors Deaf Dubai (IWDD) team at Sharjah’s DCS YOU SELECTS Arena. In the opening match on December 11, IDCA scored a formidable 212 for 5 after choosing to bat, before bowling out IWDD for 123 in 17.2 overs to secure an emphatic 89-run victory. Santosh Kumar Mahapatra was named Player of the Match for his crucial contribution to the dominant win.The second T20 on December 12 saw IWDD bat first and score 134 for 8, but IDCA chased down the target with ease, reaching 139 for 2 in just 11.3 overs to secure an eight-wicket victory. Once again, Santosh Kumar Mahapatra received the Player of the Match award for his match-winning performance.The third and final T20 on December 13 followed a similar pattern, with IDCA batting first to score 187 for 4 after IWDD chose to field. The bowlers then dominated as IWDD were dismissed for 124 in 18 overs, giving IDCA a comfortable 63-run victory. Virender Singh was named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution. (IANS)
