يلتقي فريق الاتحاد السعودي مع الوحدة الإماراتي، مساء اليوم الإثنين، ضمن منافسات مرحلة الدوري من بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا للموسم الحالي 2025-2026.
ويلعب الاتحاد مع الوحدة، في إطار الجولة الأولى من عمر دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة.
ومن المقرر أن يواجه فريق الاتحاد خلال مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال آسيا، شباب الأهلي، ناساف، السد، الشرطة، الشارقة، الغرافة، الوحدة، الدحيل.
بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة، تقام منذ الموسم الماضي مثل نظام دوري أبطال آوروبا، حيث يقام دور المجموعات من 24 فريقًا مقسمين على مجموعتين، 12 لأندية الشرق ومثلهما لأندية الغرب (التي تمثل المنطقة العربية).
ويخوض كل فريق 4 مباريات على أرضه و4 خارج ملعبه، في مواجهة ثمانية أندية مختلفة، وتتأهل 8 أندية من كل منطقة (شرق وغرب) إلى دور الـ16، والذي تقام مبارياته من ذهاب وإياب، لتتأهل الأندية الفائزة إلى ربع النهائي.
واعتبارًا من دور الثمانية (ربع النهائي) تلعب مباريات البطولة بنظام التجمع (التأهل من مباراة واحدة) في دولة واحدة، حيث تم اختيار السعودية لاستضافة تلك المباريات.
طالع | نتائج قرعة دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة موسم 2025-2026 موعد مباراة الاتحاد والوحدة اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا
تقام المباراة اليوم الإثنين 15 سبتمبر، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، الثامنة بتوقيت الإمارات. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الاتحاد والوحدة اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا
تنقل مباراة الاتحاد والوحدة عبر قناة بي إن سبورت 1 وقناة الكأس 5.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا
They chased down a tricky target of 125 on a slow pitch in Sharjah with ease in the end
Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Oct-2024
Nat Sciver-Brunt was outstanding in tough batting conditions•Getty Images
Nat Sciver-Brunt produced one of the innings of the Women’s T20 World Cup so far to guide England home in the final over, against South Africa. Her 48 not out was not only the most substantial of the match, it was also the most aggressive, coming off 36 deliveries.It was Sciver-Brunt’s 64-run stand with Danni Wyatt-Hodge that swung the match decisively in England’s favour, as they pursued a target of 125.South Africa’s spinners had been valiant, particularly Nonkululeko Mlaba, who took 1 for 22 from her four overs. But with England’s strong batting line-up, they needed more of the chances the bowlers created to be taken. South Africa could not capitalise on two half-chances offered by Wyatt-Hodge, and though Sciver-Brunt rode her luck to some extent too, none of the mis-hits went to fielders.The win leaves England in a strong position to qualify for the semi-finals, with two wins from two and a solid net run rate of 0.653. South Africa have more work to do.Sciver-Brunt shakes things upAlthough England had been careful not to lose wickets early on, they required an injection of energy through the middle overs to set them properly on course for victory, and Sciver-Brunt was the woman to provide it. She was immediately dynamic at the crease, hitting her fourth ball for four behind square on the offside, before settling into her usual rhythm of picking runs through the legside.She would frequently shuffle to off and target the square leg boundary against the spinners, even if, on such a slow surface, she didn’t always find the timing. She hit 32 of her runs in the arc between fine leg and deep midwicket, scoring four boundaries in that direction.Though Wyatt-Hodge was stumped with 11 still to get off 12 deliveries, Sciver-Brunt struck a four in each of the last two overs, and iced the game.South Africa had a couple of half-chances but couldn’t make the most of them•Getty Images
England’s spinners keep a lid on South Africa’s scoringBetween them, left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, legspinner Sarah Glenn, and offspinner Charlie Dean bowled 12 overs for 58 runs, and took four wickets. Linsey Smith, also a left-arm spinner, took 1 for 32 off her four overs too.But it was the tight, varied bowling of Ecclestone and Glenn that really kept the scoring down through the middle overs. Ecclestone got the two biggest opposition wickets – bowling Laura Wolvaardt in the 16th over, before crashing another one into the stumps of an advancing Marizanne Kapp int he 19th over. She finished with figures of 2 for 15 from her four – the best returns in the game.Wolvaardt’s mixed dayShe’d started so strongly. South Africa’s captain won the toss in what was an obviously bat-first situation, and looked excellent in the powerplay, in which she scored 22 off 15 balls, helping take South Africa to a healthy 37 for 1. But then England’s spinners applied the brakes, and she was unable to find the boundary for the remainder of her innings, which went until the 16th over. She maintained a decent scoring rate thanks to her singles and twos, but against a batting order of England’s quality, South Africa needed a score in the vicinity of 150 to feel safe.Then, in the field, she let two half-chances off Wyatt-Hodge slip through her outstretched fingers, the first of those let-offs coming when the batter was on only 8.Still, Wolvaardt’s was the most substantial of South Africa’s individual contributions – she made 42 off 39.
عزز فريق برشلونة تقدمه بهدف ثانٍ أمام خيتافي، خلال مباراة الفريقين ببطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026، والتي تقام مساء اليوم الأحد.
ويستقبل برشلونة خصمه خيتافي على ملعب “يوهان كرويف”، في إطار مباريات الجولة الخامسة لبطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.
وأحرز فيران توريس هدف برشلونة الثاني، في الدقيقة الرابعة والثلاثين من اللقاء، ليعزز تقدم فريقه بثنائية.
الهدف جاء بعد هجمة مرتدة لصالح برشلونة، وصلت بالنهاية إلى رافينها، الذي مررها الى فيران توريس وسدد في الشباك.
اقرأ أيضًا | ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بعد ثنائية فيران توريس وهدف مبابي
وكان فيران توريس هو من أحرز هدف برشلونة الأول أيضًا، بعد مرور ربع ساعة من أحداث اللقاء أمام خيتافي.
ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 10 نقاط، خلف ريال مدريد المتصدر والذي يملك 15 نقطة. هدف فيران توريس الثاني في مباراة برشلونة وخيتافي
In what would almost be a repeat of last season’s deal to sign Ben Chilwell, Crystal Palace have now reportedly joined the race to sign a £30m Chelsea defender.
Crystal Palace make Europa League appeal
It’s been a quiet summer for Crystal Palace so far on the incomings front, having only welcomed experienced goalkeeper Walter Benitez and former Ajax left-back Borna Sosa. But their hesitation to act can be blamed on the ongoing saga regarding their Europa League place.
After it emerged that Palace were in breach of multi-club ownership rules thanks to John Textor’s involvement with both the South London club and French side Lyon, UEFA decided to relegate the Eagles down to the Europa Conference League. Palace, as expected, believe that decision is unfair given how little influence Textor has at the club and have lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
It’s set to be a nervy couple of weeks for Palace as they await the official verdict and one that they hope will end with their Europa League place restored.
Having his say on the matter, Palace chairman Steve Parish recently told The Rest is Football Podcast: “We don’t think this is the right decision by any means. We know, unequivocally, that John [Textor] didn’t have decisive influence over the club. We know we proved that beyond all reasonable doubt because it’s a fact.”
Crystal Palace now planning to accelerate move for "super" £20m midfielder
They now believe they’re ahead of Everton in the race…
ByTom Cunningham Jul 23, 2025
As they wait for the decision, however, Palace simply must kickstart their summer transfer business as next season continues to close in. And that could see them land a rival defender for Oliver Glasner.
Crystal Palace now racing to sign Adarabioyo
According to Caught Offside, Crystal Palace are now jostling to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Chelsea, who value their defender at just £30m this summer. The centre-back only arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer in a free transfer from Fulham, but could now be on his way to another London club just one year on.
Having started 15 of 38 Premier League games last season, Adarabioyo will be keen to nail down a starting place next season even if that comes away from Chelsea. With Palace joined by AC Milan, Napoli and Newcastle United in the race to secure his signature, the former Fulham man certainly has plenty to think about.
Chelsea's TosinAdarabioyocelebrates after the match
At his best, Adarabioyo found himself at the centre of praise from Fulham manager Marco Silva, who told reporters: “He is a key player for us. He is one of the leaders in our dressing room and we need these guys to step in in the right moments and he did it.
“We missed him a lot, we missed him because he didn’t play the first three months of the season. Tosin is a special player for us, I can’t hide that situation.
Now, to get back to that “special” level, a move across London to Crystal Palace could be the perfect summer switch for the talented defender.
Leeds United are stepping up their pursuit of reinforcements and could now be set to land a talented midfielder for free, according to recent developments.
Leeds United beginning to make swift moves
In recent days, Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri’s imminent move too Elland Road has stolen the headlines, in a transfer that is set to cost the Whites roughly £15 million, and, in turn, solve their uncertain situation between the sticks.
With an arrival set to occur, Don Goodman believes Leeds stopper Illan Meslier could restore his confidence at Leicester City amid reports he could be set for a switch to the King Power Stadium.
He stated: “I think obviously if you could get the absolute best version of Illan Meslier then that would be good, but obviously he’s on the back of a very difficult season where, ultimately, Daniel Farke – who is extremely loyal to players but particularly goalkeepers – felt the need to replace Illan Meslier towards the end of last season.
“There were just too many errors that were costing Leeds United points so it’ll be an interesting one, as I said sometimes goalkeepers can have seasons where they’re not quite at their best.”
Rodrigo Muniz could bolster Farke’s forward line at Leeds, though it remains to be seen whether he would be tempted by the prospect of swapping Craven Cottage for Elland Road.
Better than Paixao: Very good chance "unplayable" £20m star signs for Leeds
Leeds United are weighing up a move for this phenomenal £20m ace.
2 ByKelan Sarson Jul 24, 2025
Bringing proven Premier League experience to Yorkshire will be paramount to the Whites’ chances of securing survival. Nevertheless, finding new faces to add impetus to a freshly-promoted squad is never without its challenges.
However, they could now be set to land a familiar face on a free transfer if reports are to be believed.
Kalvin Phillips could join Leeds United for free
According to Graeme Bailey in conversation with Leeds United News, Leeds could land former star man Kalvin Phillips on a free transfer as Manchester City may opt to terminate the remainder of his £150,000 per week deal.
He stated: “I’m increasing in belief that Leeds are waiting for Phillips, as well. I’m even hearing Man City might pay him off. It might cost City a lot, but I think he will end up at Elland Road.”
Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United
Appearances
234
Goals
14
Assists
13
Earning promotion with Leeds in 2020, Phillips has since went on to be a peripheral figure at Manchester City and spent last season on loan at relegated Ipswich Town, registering a solitary strike in 22 appearances.
Sean Longstaff has joined the Whites from Newcastle United and Anton Stach is also in the building, so it would be hard to envisage where Phillips would fit in should he return to the scene of his former glories.
Ultimately, the final decision on that will lie with Farke, who may need to weigh up whether having the England international come into the picture is too good a scenario to turn down without having to pay a transfer fee.
New Zealand captain believes the batting collapse on the third morning was the definitive portion of the match
Andrew Fidel Fernando23-Sep-2024
“Will O’Rourke’s had a very short Test career so far, and he’s certainly announced himself” – Tim Southee•AFP/Getty Images
New Zealand tend not to do especially well in Galle. Of their five Test defeats from as many games at the ground, one has been by an innings, another by ten wickets, and one more by 202 runs. Their latest Test at the venue, which ended in a 63-run defeat to Sri Lanka on Monday, when they went into the fifth morning with an outside shot of victory – 68 more runs to win, with two wickets remaining – represents their closest result here.But two players, in particular, stuck out. In his first outing in steaming conditions, and on a dry deck, seamer Will O’Rourke was frequently menacing – often touching 140kph – while sending down short deliveries on a pitch not especially conducive to short bowling. Vitally, for a bowler in his third Test, there were also no hugely loose spells. His takings were 8 for 104. Six of those dismissals were of top- or middle-order batters. Captain Tim Southee was suitably impressed by the 23-year-old.”Will’s had a very short Test career so far, and he’s certainly announced himself,” Southee said after the match. “We saw in New Zealand how dangerous he can be. He’s got the skills to have a very good Test career. For him to come to his first Test in the subcontinent and walk away with a very impressive eight wickets for the match is nothing short of special. He’s got a great head on his shoulders, and he’s a big guy. So there’s a lot to like about Will O’Rourke.”Related
Will O'Rourke's Canterbury Tales, ft. Peter Fulton and Brendon Donkers
Southee hopes New Zealand 'learn and move forward' from Sri Lanka loss
SL, NZ seek to make most of Galle conditions and prevent another collapse
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Asia specialist Ajaz says limited opportunities have made him hungrier
On the batting front, 24-year-old Rachin Ravindra produced his second-highest Test score – a characterful 92 on a treacherous fourth-innings pitch – as New Zealand pursued a tall 275. Ravindra is not quite so new to internationals, of course, having lit up last year’s ODI World Cup in India. But he remains a batter still finding his feet at the top level, and the clear-headed approach he took on day four – pouncing almost unnerringly on errors of length, while endeavouring to keep the score ticking – was especially impressive in his third Test in Asia.”Rachin kept us in the hunt with that chase,” Southee said. “We knew it was [a] tough ask, and that it was going to take something special, with the wicket taking a lot of turn in these last couple of days. It was a great knock in those conditions.”It’s not easy to bat – the ball was spinning, and doing all sorts [of things]. For a young guy without a lot of experience in this part of the world to go out and get 90-odd was great signs for him as well. He’s another one that’s an exceptional talent, and he’s had a little taste of international cricket as well, and done exceptionally well. He’s a great young kid with a good head on his shoulders.”Tim Southee called Rachin Ravindra an “exceptional talent” after the Galle Test•AP
For Southee, it was New Zealand’s batting collapse on the third morning that was the definitive portion of the match. They had been 255 for 4 in their first innings overnight, only 50 runs adrift of Sri Lanka’s total. But they then lost six wickets for 71 runs, as the middle and lower orders succumbed to finger spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis. In the end, their lead was only 35, when it had threatened to be much more.”I guess the position where we got ourselves in, in the first innings, was good. But the last four or five fell for not many, and there was an opportunity to get a bigger first-innings lead,” he said. “We knew that that second new ball was going to be tough given the nature of the wicket and the quality of the Sri Lankan spin bowlers.”If you look at those moments, if we were able to press on and get more of a lead, things could have been different. It was still a good Test match. There’s plenty of good things we can take into the next couple of days.”
اعترف لاعب فريق ليفربول، هوجو إيكتيكي، بأنه محظوظ في هدفه في مباراة اليوم أمام إيفرتون، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.
واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وإيفرتون في الجولة الخامسة من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث حقق ليفربول فوزًا بهدفين مقابل بهدف.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ماذا قدم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون بـ الدوري الإنجليزي؟
وتمكن هوجو إيكتيكي من تسجيل الهدف الثاني لصالح ليفربول، في حين أحرز ريان جرافنبيرخ الأول بطريقة رائعة بعد تمريرة مثالية من محمد صلاح.
وقال إيكتيكي، في تصريحات نشرها موقع الدوري الإنجليزي: “إنه شعور رائع، كنا نعلم أنها ستكون مباراة صعبة وكانت كذلك بالفعل، كان علينا القتال حتى اللحظة الأخيرة، أشعر بالفخر، لقد كان اختبارًا جيدًا لي”.
وأضاف: “لقد قدمنا أداءً جيدًا، نجحت في استغلال المساحة الخلفية وسددت الكرة، كنت محظوظًا بعض الشيء لأن الكرة مرت من تحت قدمي بيكفورد”.
وأفاد: “أريد أن أسجل في كل مباراة، إن سألتني عن ذلك، لم أسجل في المباراة الأخيرة، لكنني دائمًا أحاول إيجاد طريقة لإحداث الفارق، يمكن أن يكون هدفًا أو تمريرة حاسمة، أو ركضًا لخلق مساحة للاعب آخر، إنه أمر جيد، في النهاية الأهم هو الفريق والنقاط الثلاث اليوم”.
وواصل: “ألكسندر إيزاك لاعب رائع، لطالما تابعته قبل مجيئي إلى هنا ويمكنني التعلم منه، يمكننا اللعب معًا وإحداث الفارق، آمل أن نتمكن من تقاسم الملعب معًا في مباراة واحدة”.
وأردف: “كنت أعلم أن المباراة مهمة جدًا للجماهير، لذا كان الفوز اليوم مهمًا، شعرت بحماس الملعب والجمهور اليوم، إنه شعور بالفخر والسعادة، علينا فقط أن نواصل التقدم”.
واسترسل: “كان الشوط الأول جيدًا، كان الأمر صعبًا بعض الشيء بنتيجة 2/1، لكننا حافظنا على عقليتنا الصحيحة حتى النهاية، وأعتقد أن هذا ما صنع الفارق في النهاية”.
Next season is undoubtedly going to be the most important one for Mikel Arteta since he took the Arsenal job over five years ago.
The Spanish coach has transformed the club from one spiralling down the Premier League table into genuine contenders, but he needs to lead them over the final hurdle next year.
Fortunately, Andrea Berta and his team have been hard at work this summer, bringing in some brilliant, potentially game-changing additions, such as Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.
Gyokeres
However, the teams around the Gunners are also strengthening, and it looks like cross-London rivals Chelsea are about to get their hands on the exciting Xavi Simons, although if reports are to be believed, Arsenal are eyeing an international who’d be an even better signing.
Arsenal target massive Simons upgrade
If we go back in time just a few weeks, it was unclear where Simons would be ending up this summer, as among other teams, Arsenal were fairly heavily linked with him.
Transfer Focus
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However, it now looks like the RB Leipzig star will be heading to West London to join up with Chelsea for a fee of around £61m before the window comes to a close at the start of next month.
While losing out on such an exciting player is undoubtedly far from ideal, the Emirates faithful should not worry, as it now looks like the club is eyeing another dangerous attacker, an international who’d be a far better signing than the Dutchman.
At least that is according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, which claims Arsenal are very much interested in Ademola Lookman.
The report has revealed that, while Inter Milan are stepping up their efforts to sign the Nigerian ace, the North Londoners remain an interested party, and as Atalanta announced that he wouldn’t be allowed to join another Italian side, they may just be best placed to pounce in the coming days.
In terms of how much the former Everton ace might cost, the report claims that a fee of around £43m could be enough to get things moving, which could be something of a bargain and help make the case he’d be a better signing than Simons.
Why Lookman would be a better signing than Simons
So, the first advantage that Lookman has over Simons is actually his age, as Arsenal do not need another project player at this point; they need someone who’s playing their best football to come in and help them win something.
Atalanta's Davide Zappacosta celebrates scoring their fifth goal with AdemolaLookman
At 27 years old, the Atlanta ace fits that category perfectly, especially considering research carried out by The Athletic suggests he is in his peak years while the Leipzig star is still at least four years from his.
The second significant advantage the Nigerian international has over his younger competition is his raw output over the last couple of seasons.
For example, since the start of the 23/24 season, the Wandsworth-born star, whom journalist Oma Akatugba described as “one of the best forwards in Europe,” has scored 37 goals and provided 17 assists in 85 appearances, totalling 5680 minutes.
That means he has maintained a simply sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.57 games, or every 105.18 minutes.
Lookman vs Simons
23/24
Lookman
Simons
Appearances
45
43
Minutes
2809′
3468′
Goals
17
10
Assists
10
15
Goal Involvements per Match
0.60
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
104.03′
138.72′
24/25
Lookman
Simons
Appearances
40
33
Minutes
2871′
2763′
Goals
20
11
Assists
7
8
Goal Involvements per Match
0.67
0.57
Minutes per Goal Involvement
106.33
145.42′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In contrast, the former PSV Eindhoven ace has scored 21 goals and provided 23 assists in 76 appearances, totalling 6231 minutes, which comes out to a still good, but less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 141.61 minutes.
Finally, the Atalanta star has already proven that he can handle the biggest stages and most pressurized games thanks to the hat-trick he scored against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League final.
Ultimately, Simons and Lookman are both great players, but from experience to raw output, the latter would clearly be the better signing, especially for Arsenal.
توج نادي بيراميدز، ببطولة كأس القارات الثلاثة بالإضافة إلى تأهله إلى نصف نهائي بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال، بالفوز على الأهلي السعودي 3-1، في المباراة التي أقيمت اليوم الثلاثاء.
والتقى فريقا بيراميدز والأهلي السعودي، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع النهائي من مباريات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال 2025، على ملعب الجوهرة بالسعودية، للمنافسة على لقب كأس القارات الثلاثة (كأس أفريقيا آسيا المحيط الهادي).
وتقدم نادي بيراميدز، عن طريق المهاجم فيستون مايلي، في الدقيقة 21، من تسديدة قوية من على حدود منطقة الـ18، بعد تمريرة رائعة من بلاتي توريه.
ثم تعادل النادي الأهلي السعودي، عن طريق مهاجمه الإنجليزي إيفان توني من ركلة جزاء نجح في تنفذها، عند الدقيقة 45 من نهاية الشوط الأول.
طالع | موعد مباراة بيراميدز القادمة في كأس إنتركونتيننتال بعد الفوز على الأهلي السعودي
وفي الشوط الثاني، نجح اللاعب الكونغولي فيستون مايلي، من تسجيل هدفين متتاليين، في الدقيقتين 71 و 75 على الترتيب، ليمنح فريق بيراميدز الفوز عن جدارة واستحاق. أهداف مباراة بيراميدز والأهلي السعودي في كأس إنتركونتيننتال
ويشارك بيراميدز في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، بعد التتويج ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا الموسم الماضي.
وكان بيراميدز، قد خاض مباراة في الدور التمهيدي من بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال أمام أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي، حقق الفوز بنتجة 3-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بالقاهرة.
ومن المقرر أن يستكمل بيراميدز، مباراته في بطولة كأس إنتركونتيننتال، بخوض مواجهة نصف النهائي مع الفائز من ديربي الأمريكتين، ذلك يوم 13 ديسمبر المقبل.
وستقام مباراة ديربي الأمريكتين بين كروز أزول المكسيكي (بطل الكونكاكاف) أمام بطل قارة أمريكا الجنوبية (لم يتحدد بعد)، يوم 10 ديسمبر.
يذكر، أن في حالة تخطي بيراميدز دور نصف النهائي، سيواجه باريس سان جيرمان الفرنسي (بطل دوري أبطال أوروبا) يوم 17 ديسمبر.
A second-wicket stand of 206 was the bedrock of a comfortable win, with a mid-innings collapse ending New Zealand’s challenge in a rain-shortened chase
Andrew Fidel Fernando13-Nov-2024
Kusal Mendis celebrates his century with Avishka Fernando•AFP/Getty Images
Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando made centuries, and put on 206 together to send Sri Lanka to a commanding score. Then, once rain had reduced New Zealand’s chase to 27 overs, Sri Lanka’s spinners reaped five wickets for 22 runs to derail the visitors after their openers had made a strong start.In the end, New Zealand didn’t get close to the 221 they required off 27 overs. They puttered to 175 for 9, with too little firepower in their lower order to get them up with the required rate, and too much know-how in Sri Lanka’s attack to let them prosper after the collapse.The primary architects of Sri Lanka’s victory, however, were Kusal and Avishka. Their partnership was the highest ever for the second wicket in men’s ODI’s between these sides. Kusal’s 143 off 128 was also his highest individual score. And their propelling Sri Lanka to their eventual 324 for 5, before rain brought a halt to their innings after 49.2 overs, was a huge step towards victory, because although this surface was not especially spin-friendly, no chasing team had made so much as 290 in Dambulla.In the end, a long rain delay meant New Zealand had a curtailed chase. But even their openers, who put 88 off 80 balls, weren’t quite keeping up with the required rate. Will Young made 48 off 46 and Tim Robinson 35 off 36. But they needed big fireworks from the likes of Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman. They never came.Early on, after Pathum Nissanka was dismissed, Kusal and Avishka gained significant momentum through the first powerplay, in which Sri Lanka scored 57 runs. In the fifth over, bowled by Jacob Duffy, Mendis smoked a straight drive, then crashed a short ball in front of midwicket to hit his first two fours of the innings. In the next over, bowled by debutant Nathan Smith, Avishka lifted a ball down the ground, then swivel-pulled another one over the fine leg boundary for six.Kusal Mendis made a career-best 143•AFP/Getty Images
That period did have a hiccup – Mendis was dropped on 11 by Duffy, who could not hold a sharp return catch. But otherwise Sri Lanka’s progress was smooth. There was not as much turn as expected, and Kusal and Avishka settled into a steady rhythm of accumulation, both batters using the sweep to good effect when the New Zealand bowlers delivered consecutive dot balls.Avishka was also strong over cover, going inside-out repeatedly, while Kusal found runs square of the wicket on the off side. They both milked the bowling of Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell, neither of whom were able to build pressure over substantial periods. Kusal got to his fifty off the 64th ball he faced, before Avishka got to his own half-century – his ninth – off his 60th ball.They raised the tempo slighly after getting to those milestones, but largely batted in the same gear. Avishka was dropped on 77 by Sodhi in the outfield, though the fielder only really got fingertips to the chance. Kusal got to his century first, in the 37th over, off 102 balls. Avishka got there in the 38th. For both batters, this was their fourth ODI ton.Avishka was out soon after, caught at mid-off, but the partnership had delivered Sri Lanka to the brink of the death overs. At his fall the total was 223 for 2 in the 39th over.Both Kusal and Charith Asalanka were effective through the last 10, Kusal largely bashing spinners down the ground while Asalanka found runs square of the wicket. The rain returned with Asalanka being caught on the square leg boundary, with four balls remaining. It had rained early in the match too, forcing a roughly 40-minute break in the first over.Charith Asalanka enjoyed a happy outing with bat and ball•AFP/Getty Images
Once their opening pair was separated, New Zealand’s downfall was rapid and decisive. Maheesh Theekshana delivered the first two breakthroughs, having Robinson stumped, then Young bowled, in the same over, the 14th of the innings. Henry Nicholls was then bowled off the inside edge by Asalanka, before Theekshana held on to a screamer off the bat of Chapman at short midwicket, also off the bowling of Asalanka. When Glenn Phillips sliced a Jeffrey Vandersay legbreak to point, New Zealand had lost their top five in the space of 28 balls. It was always going to be almost impossible to recover from there.Of New Zealand’s players, Jacob Duffy came out of this match with perhaps the best performance, having taken 3 for 41 in his 8.2 overs. With the freshly-arrived Adam Milne likely to be fit for the second ODI on Sunday, Duffy has made a strong case that he should be persisted with. Of their three debutants (Nathan Smith, Mitchell Hay, and Robinson), Robinson showed the most promise in this match.