18th match of women’s world cup 2025 between sri lanka women And south african women Taking place at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Amid the high stakes of the day/night encounter, Sri Lankan players have been seen wearing black armbands, a poignant symbol that has caught the attention of cricket fans around the world.
Why did Sri Lanka wear black armband against South Africa?
The Sri Lankan women’s cricket team is paying tribute to an iconic figure of its cricket history. Jayanand WaranweeraFormer Sri Lankan Test cricketer and respected cricket administrator Warnaweera passed away recently at the age of 64. Known for his reliable right-arm off spin, Warnaweera represented Sri Lanka in 10 Test matches and six One Day Internationals between 1986 and 1994.
After retirement, he notably served as the curator of the Galle International Stadium, one of the island nation’s iconic cricket venues. His contribution to Sri Lankan cricket has been widely celebrated, and the national team wears black armbands during World Cup matches as a symbol of respect and memory. Sri Lanka Cricket’s official social media acknowledged his passing with heartfelt condolences while honoring his lasting legacy to Sri Lankan cricket.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Jayananda Warnaweera passed away at the age of 64.
A respected figure in Sri Lankan cricket history.
May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/E0lHi6aD5b– Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) 16 October 2025
Sri Lanka’s shaky start against a tough and disciplined bowling line-up
Sri Lanka’s innings against South Africa was a testing one. Electing to bat first, the hosts struggled to build momentum amid challenging conditions and early setbacks. Vishmi Gunaratne While it hurt to retire early Chamari AthapaththuThe captain was given out LBW Masabata ClassAfter 12 overs, Sri Lanka’s score is 46 runs for 2 wickets at a run rate of 3.83. Hasni Perera And Harshita Samarawickrama Continue to steady the ship with the bat, but the innings remains fragile. The South African bowling attack led by class and marijane kappHas been disciplined and effective while maintaining pressure along tight lines and lengths.
To complicate matters further, the match faced several interruptions due to persistent rain, a recurring challenge in Colombo this World Cup season. Weather forecasts predict sporadic rain, with a higher chance of rain causing a delay in the start and impacting the pace of play. Earlier in the tournament, there were several rain interruptions and delays in Colombo, frustrating players and fans alike. R. The Premadasa Stadium pitch has shown some support for the bowlers, with some turn for the spinners as the innings progress, requiring careful shot selection from the Sri Lankan batsmen.
South Africa are entering this match in relatively strong form, having made a good comeback after the initial defeat. Having won their last three games, they will be looking to continue their dominance against the hosts who are desperate for their first win of the tournament. With the weather hampering play and Sri Lanka struggling for consistency, the encounter promises to be a tense and tactical battle as the hosts attempt to honor their cricketing heroes of the past and put up a competitive battle against a powerful South African lineup.
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.