Sri Lanka, who won the T20 World Cup in 2014, have two warm-up games in Melbourne before they begin their World Cup campaign with a qualifying match against Namibia on October 16.
His whereabouts was unknown as protesters have now occupied both his office and official residence.
An identical three-match ODI series will follow the T20Is and Shanaka feels it would give them a perfect preparation for the World Cup slated later this year in India.
New Zealand will aim to secure their spot in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup when they face Canada, while also looking to address weaknesses exposed in their previous match against South Africa.
Mallika Prasad Sinha plays Amma with chilling precision and is perfectly cast for the part.
Sri Lanka fought off a strong challenge from Ireland at Lord's on Sunday to win their Twenty20 World Cup Super Eight match by nine runs. Ireland, the only non-Test playing nation still in the tournament, restricted the 1996 World one-day champions to 144 for nine after Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to bat.
Reader Jitendra Dhulekar sent us this picture from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.
India's concerns over a planned naval exercise between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the strategically important waters of Trincomalee led to the shelving of the drills weeks ago. The exercise was planned as part of regular engagements between the two navies, but India expressed its apprehensions to the Sri Lankan government. Trincomalee, situated on Sri Lanka's northeastern coast, is considered a significant hub in the Indian Ocean region, particularly for India's maritime security interests. The Pakistani Navy's close cooperation with China's PLA Navy has raised concerns in New Delhi about any Pakistani warship presence in Trincomalee. This incident follows previous diplomatic rows between India and Sri Lanka over the docking of Chinese vessels at Sri Lankan ports. India has been actively supporting Sri Lanka's development of Trincomalee's energy infrastructure and has recently signed a defense pact with the country to boost military cooperation.
That Sri Lanka are having to play in the group stage of the Twenty20 World Cup shows the extent of their decline since winning the title in 2014 but their recent Asia Cup triumph suggests they could spring a surprise or two in Australia.
Dimuth Karunaratne scored a century as Sri Lanka extended their lead over Zimbabwe to 411 runs before rain and bad light ended play on the fourth day of the first Test in Harare on Tuesday.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka were forced to split points after their World Cup match was called off due to heavy rain, which left the field unplayable, in Bristol, on Friday.
Responding to concerns raised by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri said it is the foremost priority of the government that the kitchens of over 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage of gas.
Atul Wassan has come down heavily on Pakistan's decision not to play India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 game on February 15 in Sri Lanka, warning of serious consequences for Pakistan cricket for boycotting the India match.
Statistical highlights of the cricket tri-series match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday
Pakistan batting star Babar Azam was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for hitting the stumps with his bat after being dismissed in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
India's services sector growth rose to a two-month high of 58.5 in January, on faster expansion in new business intake and output, prompting service providers to hire additional staff, a monthly survey said on Wednesday.
All-rounder Angelo Mathews has taken an indefinite break from national duties but his Sri Lanka team mates have signed tour contracts ahead of the limited-overs series against India.
The same charge was levelled against Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft who was caught on camera rubbing a piece of sandpaper on the ball against South Africa in March.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday dismissed the impression that the announcement of the World Cup squad meant that the country has decided to take part in next month's ICC mega event.
Images from Day 2 of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
Highlighting the party's broader stance on international relations, he added, "Friends to all, malice to none."
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 38 runs in their Champions Trophy Group B match at the Wanderers stadium on Sunday.
Banks and companies in India are taking a cautious approach towards Sri Lanka, which, reeling from a financial crisis, has sought a $1-billion loan from the country to import essential commodities. A senior State Bank of India (SBI) executive said the bank was committed (to Sri Lanka) for the long term. "As far as exposures (are concerned), the bank will be cautious on its dollar exposure to Sri Lankan entities till the situation improves," he said.
The 31-year-old left-hander, who was arrested on Sunday ahead of the team's departure from Australia, was denied bail by a local court in Sydney on Monday, even as the SLC suspended him from all forms of the game with immediate effect.
"At the same time we are also looking at exploring the possibility of rescheduling postponed tours and looking at the windows which are available and alternatives too."
T20 World Cup 2026 could turn into a batter's paradise, as small grounds, flat pitches and fearless hitting bring the once-unthinkable 300-run mark within reach, leaving captains bracing their bowlers for a tough ride
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asserts India's right to defend against terrorism from 'bad neighbours' while highlighting India's support for friendly nations.
The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Jasprit Bumrah is also only the second Indian to reach the landmark of 100 wickets in T20Is.
Deepak Chahar had suffered the injury during the third T20 International against West Indies
Pakistan to allow vaccinated spectators to attend NZ series.
Captain Lorcan Tucker's blistering 51-ball 94 was complemented by a disciplined bowling effort as Ireland powered to a massive 96-run win over Oman in a lop-sided Group B T20 World Cup match.
The left-handed batsman achieved both feats on day three of the ongoing second Test against England at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday.
Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has lauded India opener Abhishek Sharma's fearless batting, crediting the team management for allowing the youngster to play his natural game.
Pathum Nissanka scored his seventh one-day international century with 122 from 136 balls as Sri Lanka defeated hosts Zimbabwe by five wickets to clinch the two-game series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Arshdeep Singh performing under pressure in the Super Over against Sri Lanka can be attributed to meditation and yoga that he practices regularly.
Zoysa was provisionally suspended in October 2018 and charged with three offences under the ICC's anti-corruption code
Najam Sethi met with officials of the Asian Cricket Council and objected to the move to relocate the Asia Cup to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka defeated hosts Zimbabwe by nine wickets in a rain-truncated tri-series match in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
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