COLOMBO: Colombo Stars’ Angelo Mathews scored a brilliant 73 before Naveen-ul-Haq took three wickets to complete a thumping victory over Galle Gladiators by 41 runs, here on Sunday.
Batting first, Stars’ batters could not provide a solid start to the side, losing the first wicket for just five runs. Pathum Nissanka dismissed on just one.
However, Stars’ skipper, Mathews along with Ashan Priyanjan, recorded an important 64-runs partnership to get their side into the commanding position. The pair appeared solid before Priyanjan dismissed on 23 off 16 balls.
Wickets began to tumble at one end, but, Mathews remained firm. Soon after, Mathews too dismissed, the batter top-scored with 73 off 57 balls laced with eight boundaries and three sixes.
Dinesh Chandimal, however, played a handy knock later in the innings, scoring quickfire 36 off 14 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. The Stars finished with 162/7 in the allotted 18 overs.
For Gladiators, Samit Patel and Dhananjaya Lakshan each took two wickets, while Noor Ahmad, Isuru Udana, and Mohammad Amir shared one wicket apiece.
Chasing 163 in 18 overs, Gladiators could not get going and lost their way, despite being 81/1 in the 10th over, the side began to lose wickets and collapsed to 121 all-out. Kusal Mendis was the only batter from the Gladiators, who showed resistance and fought well for his 64 off 39 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. He remained the top scorer for his side.
For Stars, Naveen picked three wickets and was the pick of the bowlers. Seekkuge Prasanna and Ravi Rampaul each took two wickets, while Priyanjan and Dushmantha Chameera each struck out a batter.
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