Italy-based Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon recorded an impressive return to form by clocking a season-best 10.18 seconds to win the final ‘B’ of the 100m at the 2025 International Athletic Meet (Continental Tour Bronze Event) in Dessau, Germany on Saturday.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympian, who boasts a personal best of 9.96 seconds, has been gradually regaining his rhythm after struggling with injuries last year.

Abeykoon, the South Asian record holder in the 100m, continues to lead the regional rankings as the fastest athlete in South Asia this year, while also being joint 16th on the Asian list for 2025.

At 30 years old, Abeykoon now sets his sights on qualifying for the World Championships in Tokyo next September, where the direct entry standard stands at 10.00 seconds. (D.R)

Angelo Mathews ended his final Test innings today (June 21) after being dismissed during the Test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Galle International Stadium.

Mathews was dismissed after scoring just 8 runs off 45 balls after being caught by Mominul Haque. The match also ended as a draw.

Mathews retires from the longest format of the game as he made 8,214 runs from 119 Tests at an average of 44.4, with 16 centuries and 49 half-centuries to his name. 

In 2013, Angelo Mathews was handed the leadership of the Test side for the first time in his career. He also became historic as the youngest Sri Lanka player to become Test captain. 

England will host the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June-July next year.

The full fixture list of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is out now, with hosts England featuring in the opening clash against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12 June.

This edition marks the biggest ICC Women’s T20 World Cup yet, with 12 teams – more than ever before – vying for the coveted trophy.

Alongside the fixtures, the groups for the league stage were also revealed.

Group 1 features multiple-time champions Australia, 2024 finalists South Africa, Asian heavyweights India and Pakistan, along with two teams from the Global Qualifier.

Group 2 includes hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, former winners West Indies and the other two teams from the Global Qualifier.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, set for 30 June and 2 July at The Oval, with the grand finale taking place at Lord’s on 5 July.

The tournament spans 24 days, featuring 33 matches across seven iconic venues – Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, Bristol County Ground and Lord’s.

“World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said.

“It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.

“The tournament will not only give fans across the nation a chance to see world-famous cricketers in action but will also affect lasting change by inspiring countless women and girls across the country to get involved with cricket.”

Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said the tournament would contribute to lasting change.

“The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket,” she said.

“At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves.”

(ICC)