Dambulla eliminated despite win over Colombo
In a spirited performance, Dambulla Sixes defeated Colombo Strikers by 28 runs in their LPL game at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Despite their victory, Dambulla Sixes were eliminated from the tournament.
It was a low-scoring match, with Dambulla Sixes being bowled out for 123. Colombo Strikers struggled in their chase, managing only 95 runs in 18.1 overs. Skipper Thisara Perera fought valiantly, scoring 30 runs off 31 balls with a four and three sixes, but it wasn’t enough to reach the target. Dambulla Sixes’ captain, Mohammed Nabi, who scored a crucial 44 runs, was named Man of the Match. Despite their win, Dambulla needed a margin of 76 runs to qualify for the playoffs.
After the final group standings, Galle Marvels finished on top, with Jaffna Kings in second place. These two teams will face off in Qualifier 1 tomorrow (18) at 2:30 pm. Third-placed Colombo Strikers will play against Kandy Falcons in the eliminator game at 7:30 pm on the same day at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Colombo Strikers elected to field first, and their plan worked perfectly from the start, causing Dambulla Sixes’ top order to struggle during the power play. Pacemen Binura Fernando and Isitha Wijesundara bowled brilliantly to take early wickets. Dambulla were reduced to 25 for 4 during the power play, the lowest power play score in the tournament so far.
Opener Reeza Hendricks was dismissed for 1 in the second over by Wijesundara. Nuwanidu Fernando hit a six off Wijesundara but was soon bowled by Binura Fernando for 15. In-form Kusal Janith Perera was run out for 7, adding to Dambulla’s troubles. Mark Chapman, expected to stabilise the innings, was run out for 8, leaving Dambulla at 38 for 5 after 7.1 overs.
Skipper Mohammad Nabi and young Chamindu Wickramasinghe managed to repair the innings with a 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Nabi scored 40 off 33 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Wickramasinghe contributed 26 off 29 balls. After their departure, Colombo Strikers quickly took control again. In the last five overs, Dambulla lost five wickets, adding only 32 runs, finishing at 123.
Binura Fernando was the standout bowler with 3 for 15, while Matheesha Pathirana and Dunith Wellalage took 2 wickets each.
Chief scores
Dambulla Sixes 123 all out in 20 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 15, Mohammad Nabi 40, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 26,Dushan Hementha 10 ,Binura Fernando 3/ 15 ,Isitha Wijesundara 1/16 , Matheesha Pathirana 2/25 , Dunith Wellalage 2/18)
Colombo Strikers: 95 in 18.1 overs (Muhammad Waseem 15, Glenn Phillips 15,Dunith Wellalage 11, Thisara Perera 30, Isitha Wijesundara 12, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 2/13, Nuwan Pradeep 3/20,Akila Dananjaya 1/18, Mohammed Nabi 1/11,Dushan Hementha 1/2)