Sri Lanka defeat Netherlands by five wickets, score first win in this World Cup
Lucknow (PTI): Composed half-centuries from top-order batter Sadeera Samarawickrama and opener Pathum Nissanka helped Sri Lanka cruise to a five-wicket victory against the Netherlands in their World Cup match here on Saturday.
This is Sri Lanka's first win in the tournament after having lost their three previous games.
Samarawickrama made an unbeaten 91 off 107 balls, while Nissanka scored a 52-ball 54 and shared a 77-run partnership with Charith Asalanka (44) as Sri Lanka overhauled Netherlands' total of 262 in 48.2 overs.
The Dutch were earlier bundled out for a below-par score in 49.4 overs, thanks chiefly to the efforts of Dilshan Madushanka (4/49) and Kasun Rajitha (4/50).
Number seven Sybrand Engelbrecht top-scored for the Dutch with an 82-ball 70 and added 130 runs for the seventh wicket with Logan van Beek (59 off 75 balls), lifting their team from a precarious 91 for six in the 22nd over.
Brief scores:
Netherlands: 262 all out in 49.4 overs (Sybrand Engelbrecht 70, Logan van Beek 59; Dilshan Madushanka 4/49, Kasun Rajitha 4/50) lost to Sri Lanka: 263 for 5 in 48.2 overs (Pathum Nissanka 54, Sadeera Samarawickrama 91 not out, Charith Asalanka 44, Dhananjaya de Silva 30; Aryan Dutt 3/44) by 5 wickets.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
