Iresh Pushpakumara dies aged 21

Iresh Pushpakumara, a 21-year-old left-arm chinaman bowler from Kalutara in Sri Lanka, has died in Colombo General Hospital after a brief illness.

Pushpakumara impressed during the 2008-09 Under-23 Division One tournament by taking 40 wickets at 14.50 in seven matches for Panadura SC. He was the third highest wicket-taker in the tournament after Ragama CC's Ranesh Perera (46 wickets) and SSC's Milan Fernando (41).

Pushpakumara's best figures were 9 for 75 against his former club Lankan CC. He captained Sri Sumangala College to victory in their annual cricket match against Moratu Vidyalaya in 2006-07 taking a match haul of 11 wickets.