スリランカの元キャプテンであるダスン・シャナカは、1日で2つの国で2つのゲームをプレーしています！

On a day that seemed straight out of a cricketer’s dream (or a traveller’s nightmare), Dasun Shanaka pulled off a near-impossible feat—dominating two matches in two different countries, across two different formats, all within the span of a few hours. The former Sri Lankan captain woke up in Colombo, laced up his boots for Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), and by nightfall, was sending balls flying in Dubai for the Dubai Capitals.

A Morning to Remember in Colombo for Shanaka

Sunday morning saw Shanaka resume his innings in Sri Lanka’s domestic First-Class Major League tournament. His team, SSC, was staring down the barrel at 77 for five against Moors Sports Club. With the risk of relegation looming, Shanaka stepped up, turning his overnight score of 39 into a majestic 123 off just 87 deliveries. He peppered his innings with 10 boundaries and eight towering sixes, almost single-handedly dragging SSC to 275 all out in response to Moors’ 412/9 declared.

The match ended in a draw by the afternoon. For most cricketers, it would have been time to unwind and soak in the performance. But Shanaka had other plans—he had another match to play, in a different continent.

From Sri Lanka to ILT20 2025

No time for post-match reflections, Shanaka bolted straight to the airport, boarding a flight to the UAE. By the time he landed in Dubai, there was no luxury of a warm-up or pre-match rituals. He rushed to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, threw on his Dubai Capitals jersey, and was back in the thick of the action for an ILT20 clash against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR).

If jet lag was an issue, he didn’t show it. With David Warner already having set the platform with a blistering 93*, Shanaka delivered the finishing blow—an electrifying 34 off just 12 balls. Four boundaries and two sixes later, he had ensured the Capitals sealed a 26-run victory.