Dinuka and Diluka win men's doubles title in Pakistan

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

BADMINTON: Sri Lanka's Dinuka Karunaratne partnered by his brother Diluka Karunaratne emerged men's doubles champions at the Tri Nation individual Badminton tournament which concluded in Islamabad, Pakistan recently.

They beat a Pakistan duo in their previous match in three sets.

In the final they beat an Iranian duo in a three setter to win the title.

The tournament featured the host country Pakistan Iran, and Sri Lanka and the team returned home yesterday.

Dinuka Karunaratne also won the third place in the men's singles event. He went down to a Pakistan shuttler in the semi-finals. However Sri Lanka's top ranked player Niluka Karunaratne did not participate in this event as he was injured.

The President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharaff was the chief guest and Prime Minister of Pakistan was the guest of honour at the occasion.

Before taking part in this individual tourney Sri Lanka shuttlers took part in a Tri Nation Badminton team tournament in Lahore also involving Iran and the host nation Pakistan.

The Sri Lanka team comprised Niluka Karunaratne, Dinuka Karunaratne, Diluka Karunaratne, Sameera Sandakelum, Lakshan Silva, Hasitha Chanaka. The Sri Lanka team beat Iran convincingly in straight matches (3-0). In another match host country Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in a closely contested by three matches to two where Niluka Karunaratne and Dinuka Karunaratne won their singles.

But Pakistan players fought back well to win the double event and the third single which sealed the match in their favour.