Colombo

An Air India flight operating from Colombo to Chennai was forced to make an emergency landing after experiencing a bird strike shortly after takeoff. The Airbus aircraft, carrying 158 passengers, returned safely to Chennai without any injuries reported. The incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by airlines concerning wildlife hazards, particularly during takeoff and landing operations.

The 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to take place from September 30 to November 2, 2025, marking the return of the tournament to India after 12 years. Co-hosted with Sri Lanka, the event will feature eight teams competing across five venues. Australia enters as the defending champion, having secured their seventh title in 2022. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, leading to knockout stages, with the final scheduled for November 2. Notably, due to geopolitical tensions, Pakistan will play all its matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka .

In a strategic move that underscores the intensifying geopolitical divide between India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka has been designated as a neutral venue for key matches in the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. Amid persistent diplomatic tensions and India’s continued refusal to play in Pakistan, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has adapted by allocating fixtures across multiple cities, including Colombo.

India’s women’s cricket team delivered a comprehensive performance to secure a resounding 97-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final of the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series in Colombo. Led by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s fluent century and backed by a clinical bowling effort, the Indian side reaffirmed its dominance on the international stage. Mandhana’s 116-run masterclass set the platform for a formidable total of 342 for seven, while bowlers Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur decimated Sri Lanka’s chase.