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Colombo, Oct 17 (IANS) Vishmi Gunaratne’s composed start and Sri Lanka’s late surge after the rain break helped the hosts post 105 for 7 in their 20 overs in a rain-marred clash against South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Saturday.

Their total will now be revised under the DLS method, with South Africa set as a target of 121 runs to win.

Sri Lanka’s innings revolved around Gunaratne’s fluent strokeplay early on, as she looked in fine touch and formed a solid opening stand with skipper Chamari Athapaththu after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat.

The pair played with intent, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries, before disaster struck. In the midst of their partnership, a throw from Ayabonga Khaka at the bowler’s end struck Gunaratne flush on her left knee, forcing her to retire hurt and leave the field on a stretcher.

Hasini Perera, who replaced her, was dismissed for just four by Masabata Klaas, who bowled a sharp inswinger to crash into the stumps. Klaas struck again in her next spell, trapping Athapaththu in front for 11 to leave Sri Lanka in trouble. The hosts were 12 overs into their innings when rain arrived, halting play for a long period and threatening to derail their momentum.

When play finally resumed after heavy showers, the match was reduced to a 20-over contest. Sri Lanka, resuming on the back foot, showed remarkable positive intent in the remaining eight overs, adding 59 runs to lift their total to 105 for 7. Kavisha Dilhari (14) and Nilakshi de Silva (18) played handy cameos down the order, ensuring the hosts finished on a competitive note.

For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout performer with the ball, returning impressive figures of 3 for 30. Klaas’s early breakthroughs set the tone, but Sri Lanka’s lower order fightback ensured the visitors will have to chase a tricky revised target of 121 under DLS.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 105/7 in 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 34, Nilakshika Silva 14; Nonkululeko Mlaba 3/30, Masabata Klaas 2/18) against South Africa

–IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) With the future of the Indian Super League (ISL) still not clear, Indian footballers, along with international stars, have urged the sport’s global governing body, FIFA, to step in and resolve the lingering state of the franchise-based tournament.

Leading figures of Indian football, including Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Sunil Chhetri, have publicly appealed to FIFA to step in amid the ongoing crisis facing the sport in the country.

“It’s January, and we should be on your screens as a part of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League,” Gurpreet said in a video featuring other players, too. “Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something which we all know,” Jhingan added. “Players, staff, owners, and the fans deserve clarity, protection, and more importantly, a future,” Chhetri said.

“But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. The Indian football government is no longer able to fulfil its responsibilities. We are now staring at permanent paralysis. This is the last-ditch effort to save what we can. So we are calling on FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football. We hope this message gets to the powers that are in Zurich. This call is not political; it is not driven by confrontation but by necessity. It might sound like a big word, but the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, sporting, and economic crisis. And of course, we need rescuing at the earliest. We just want to play football, please help us do it,” other players said in the statement.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday received letters from nearly all members of the Indian Super League (ISL) confirming they may be willing to participate in an upcoming 2025-26 season; however, participation will be contingent upon satisfactory financial and governance assurances provided by the AIFF.

The member clubs of the ISL further stated that their continued participation is conditional upon the AIFF relaying to them that there are no league Administration Fees associated with participation and that the AIFF will accept full financial responsibility for operational costs incurred due to reduced seasons.

In addition, club members requested that the AIFF provide a clear, timed set of objectives outlining how the financial and governance structure of the league will develop over time; in conjunction with this, club members asked the AIFF to pursue funds from the government in order to support the league.

Earlier, City Football Group (CFG) divested its shareholding in Mumbai City FC, returning the Indian Super League (ISL) side to full control of its founding owners.

The purchase of a 65% share of Mumbai City FC in November 2019 by the Manchester City-owning conglomerate was a watershed moment in ambition, professionalism, and globalising the club. The club experienced the greatest success during its six-year relationship with CFG.

–IANS

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