COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual awards ceremony will recognize the country’s outstanding performers in international and domestic cricket, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga among the leading contenders for the prestigious Men’s Cricketer of the Year award.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Lumina venue of Cinnamon Life Hotel in Colombo, with 42 players set to receive recognition for their performances in international and first-class cricket.
The most anticipated awards of the evening are the Men’s and Women’s Cricketer of the Year honours.
Nissanka makes strong case
Pathum Nissanka enters the race after an impressive 2025 season across all three international formats.
In three Test matches, Nissanka scored 388 runs, including two centuries. He added 392 runs in 12 ODIs, including one century and two half-centuries, while producing an outstanding 625 runs in 18 T20 internationals, highlighted by one century and four half-centuries.
Mendis among the leading contenders
Kusal Mendis also enjoyed a productive year with both the bat and gloves.
He scored 279 runs in three Tests, including three half-centuries. In 13 ODIs, Mendis accumulated 449 runs, featuring two centuries and two half-centuries. He also contributed 377 runs in 18 T20 matches, including two half-centuries.
Hasaranga brings all-round impact
Wanindu Hasaranga’s all-round performances make him another strong contender for the top men’s award.
The leg-spinning all-rounder scored 207 runs in 10 ODIs, including a century and two half-centuries, while claiming 18 wickets. In T20 cricket, he added 61 runs and 17 wickets in 12 matches.
Hasaranga was also a major award winner at the previous ceremony, claiming three honours for his performances as the Best ODI Bowler, Best T20 Bowler and Best All-rounder.
Athapaththu dominates women’s category
In the women’s category, Chamari Athapaththu appears to be the standout contender following another strong international season.
Athapaththu scored 332 runs in 14 ODIs, including three half-centuries, while taking 13 wickets. In eight T20 matches, she added 190 runs and four wickets.
Her outstanding contributions across both batting and bowling have placed her in a strong position for the Women’s Cricketer of the Year honour.
First-class cricket also takes centre stage
The ceremony will also recognize excellence in Sri Lanka’s domestic first-class and club cricket.
Awards will be presented for Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Best All-rounder and Most Valuable Player.
The champions of the Major Club Three-Day Tournament, Major Club Men’s One-Day Tournament, Major Club Women’s One-Day Tournament and Major Club T20 Tournament will also be honoured during the ceremony.
With several of Sri Lanka’s leading international stars competing for the night’s biggest individual prize, the Cricketer of the Year awards are expected to be among the major highlights of the evening.
