Lanka Premier League Archives

Mendis, Rajapaksa steer Gladiators to victory in LPL

COLOMBO: Galle Gladiators’ top-order laid solid foundation for the team before bowlers trapped Dambulla Giants, in their fixture of Lanka Premier League.

Kusal Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa batted brilliantly and partnered strongly to assist their side posting commendable total of 134/7 in allotted 14 overs.

Batting first, in a rain hit match, Gladiators were off to a decent start. The opening pair recorded a fine 30-runs partnership before Danushka Gunathilaka departed for his magnificent 22 off just 12 balls, the batter hit four boundaries.

Mendis and Rajapaksa then, played brilliant innings, Mendis scored quickfire 35 off just 17 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six. He was looking solid but could not get going.

The side, then, began to lose wickets, but, batters made small contributions. Soon after, Rajapaksa also departed for an astonishing 33 off 20 balls, including one boundary and three sixes.

Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers for the Giants; picking three wickets for just 20 runs. Josh Little, too, was impressive with his 2/29. Whereas, Tharindu Ratnayake struck out a batter too.

Chasing 135 in 14 overs, Giants were off to a worst possible start; losing their first wicket for none as Niroshan Dickwella bagged a duck.

Phil Salt and Janith Liyanage, however, played sensible knocks, pulled their side back into the game. The pair added a tremendous 90-runs partnership before Salt dismissed on 41, facing just 29 balls. He hit three boundaries and a six.

The Giants, then, ran into a brief, but, costly collapse; losing half of their side along with the momentum. Liyanage, the top scorer for the Giants also perished after scoring a brilliant fifty, the batter scored 51 off 37 balls; hitting five boundaries and two sixes.

The rest of the batters could not go big at the death, and Giants, eventually, restricted to 125/5; losing the match by nine runs.

Samit Patel and Isuru Udana, each claimed two wickets for the Gladiators, while Mohammad Amir took one wicket.

With this victory, Gladiators have now moved to the second position, while Giants remained at the third.

READ: Seekkuge Prasanna leads Stars to a thrilling victory

Seekkuge Prasanna leads Stars to a thrilling victory

COLOMBO: Colombo Stars’s batter, Seekkuge Prasanna fired at the death to help his side chase down 147 in the 20th over, in their Lanka Premier League fixture against Kandy Warriors.

Chasing 147, the Stars needed 16 runs in the final over, which appeared to be a tough ask, but, Prasanna hit three consecutive sixes to get his side over the line in the final over with two balls remaining.

The batter scored quickfire 32* off just six balls, laced with five sixes.

Earlier, the Stars, were off to a poor start, losing first two wickets for just 23 runs. Pathum Nissanka bagged a duck, while Thikshila de Silva could only score 15 off 17 balls.

Angelo Mathews, however, showed grit, scoring a sensible 29 off 34 balls to anchor the innings. Following his dismissal, Dinesh Chandimal took the responsibility and scored a tremendous 44 off 27 balls, hitting five boundaries and a six.

Nimesh Vimukthi took two wickets for the Warriors, while Kamindu Mendis, Sachindu Colombage, and Charith Asalanka each took one.

Batting first, the Warriors had a brilliant start to their inning, their opening pair put on an astonishing 77-run partnership before Asalanka dismissed on 28 in the ninth over.

Soon after, the side began to lose wickets at a consistent pace. The Warriors, in the end, restricted to 146/9 in 20 overs; losing their last nine wickets for just 69 runs.

Kennar Lewis top scored for his side with 62 off 44 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes.

Dushmantha Chameera was the star performer with the ball for the Stars, picking four wickets. Whereas, Prasanna, Naveen-ul-Haq, Ashan Priyanjan, Ravi Rampaul, and Dhananjaya de Silva each took one wicket.

Prasanna was rewarded as the player of the match for his all-round performance.

Following this victory, the Stars captured the third position on the points table, while Warriors remained at the bottom.

READ: Jaffna Kings seal emphatic victory over Dambulla Giants

Jaffna Kings seal emphatic victory over Dambulla Giants

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings’ bowlers annihilated Dambulla Giants’ batting line-up in their Lanka Premier League fixture here on Monday, dismissing them for 69.

Batting first, Kings’ bowling attack trapped Giants batters completely. None of their batters were able to go deep and get the side into the winning position. Giants, in the end, bundled out for a paltry 69 in the 15th over. Tharindu Ratnayake scored 14 followed by the highest run-scorer of the side, Phil Salt with 23 runs.

For Kings, Chaturanga de Silva starred with four wickets for just 16 runs, Maheesh Theekshana, on the other hand, bagged three wickets. While, Ashen Bandara, Shoaib Malik and Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva each took a wicket.

Chasing 70, Kings too, started poorly, losing first wicket for just 14 runs as Upul Tharanga dismissed on just two.

Avishka Fernando and de Silva then partnered strongly to keep their side out of trouble. The pair added a valuable 39-runs partnership before de Silva dismissed after scoring 37; facing just 18 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes. He remained the top-scorer for his side.

Avishka, however, remained not-out on 22 and steered his side to the victory. He faced just 17 balls and hit two boundaries and a six.

For Giants, Imran Tahir took two wickets, while Josh Little struck out a batter.

Following this victory, the Kings have strengthened their top position, while Giants remained at second.

READ: Malik, Perera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

Mathews, Naveen lead Stars to a thumping victory in LPL

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.

READ: Malik, Perera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

Malik, Perera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings registered a seven-wicket win over Kandy Warriors as Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera played blistering knocks to help their team win the rain-hit match in Lanka Premier League.

Malik and Perera played brilliant knocks to help the side chase down the 95-runs total in the ninth over. Malik scored unbeaten 14 runs off just nine balls including two boundaries, while Perera smashed 29 off just 13 balls, including four boundaries and a six.

Earlier, the top order also made small contributions to help the side chase down the total.

For the Warriors, Bhinura Fernando, Sachindu Colombage, and Nimesh Vimukthi each struck out a batter.

Batting first, the Warriors were off to a decent start as the openers laid a solid foundation. The opening pair added a 35-runs partnership.

Ahmed Shehzad looked promising but was stopped by his countryman, Malik, who castled the batter on 22.

Following Shahzad’s dismissal, Charith Asalanka recorded an important partnership with Minod Bhanuka. The pair added 49 runs before Bhanuka dismissed on 20. The pair played sensibly but were a touch too slow. The rest of the batters made small contributions at the death, and the Warriors, eventually, restricted to 94/2 in the allotted 12.2 overs. Asalanka top-scored with 44 off 34 balls laced with two boundaries and as many sixes.

For Kings, Malik and Wahab Riaz each took one wicket.

For his all-around performance, Malik was awarded as the player of the match.

With this victory, the Kings have claimed the top position in the points table, while the Warriors remained at fourth.

READ: Bopara, Moores drive Warriors to maiden victory in LPL

Bopara, Moores drive Warriors to maiden victory in LPL

COLOMBO: Ravi Bopara and Tom Moores partnered strongly to drive Kandy Warriors to five-wicket victory against Galle Gladiators, their first in Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Set to chase 128, Warriors lost a wicket earlier but Bopara and Moores supported them well in the end. Bopara smashed 3 not-out in successful run-chase whereas Moores made 28 with the help of four boundaries.

Samit Patel bagged two wickets for Gladiators while Mohammad Amir, Dhananjaya Lakshan, and Nuwan Thushara bagged a wicket each.

Earlier, Kusal Mendis (44) and Samit Patel (36*) drove Gladiators to 127-7 in 20 overs. Mendis smashed three boundaries and a six whereas Patel accounted for a boundary and six.

For Warriors, Kamindu Mendis took three wickets while Shiraz Ahmed and Nimesh Vimukhti bagged two wickets each.

READ: Ruthless Australia crush England in first Ashes Test

LPL: Jaffna Kings seal a thumping victory over Colombo Stars

COLOMBO: The combined batting and bowling performance helped Jaffna Kings seal a thumping victory of 93 runs against Colombo Stars.

In a rain-affected match, Jaffna Kings batter first and posted a massive total of 207/6 in their allotted 18 overs.

The Kings were off to a poor start, losing the first two wickets for just 10 runs. The side lost both their openers. In form batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, bagged a golden duck, while Avishka Fernando could only score four runs.

The dismissals did not halt the side much as their middle-order chipped in and played brilliantly to assist their side to post a massive total. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Shoaib Malik played valiantly and recorded an important 60 runs partnership before Tom dismissed on 40 off just 21 balls. He smashed three boundaries and as many sixes. Malik, on the other hand, scored a magnificent 44 off 24 balls laced with four boundaries and two sixes.

Following their departure, Ashen Bandara and the skipper, Thisara Perera joined the party and sailed the ball all over the ground. Bandara scored 42 off 30 balls, including three boundaries and a six. Perera top-scored with an unbeaten 57 off just 23 balls, the left-handed batter smashed three boundaries and five sixes.

Stars’ bowlers had a bad day at the office, being punished by the opposition. Seeekuge Prasanna, however, was impressive, taking his three wickets for 31 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Ashan Priyanjan each struck out a batter.

In response, the Kings bowling attack trapped Stars’ batters completely. None of their batters were able to go deep and get the side into the winning position. Stars, in the end, were bowled out for just 114 in the 16th over. Dinesh Chandimal scored 28 followed by the highest run-scorer of the side, Priyanjan with 27 runs.

Maheesh Theekshana and Wahab Riaz, each claimed four wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva bagged two wickets.

Perera, for his astonishing performance with the bat, adjudged as the player of the match.

Following this thumping victory, the Kings have claimed the top position on the points table, while Stars remained at the fourth.

READ: Gladiators, Giants share points as rain spoils play

LPL: Gladiators, Giants share points as rain spoils play

COLOMBO: The eighth match of Lanka Premier League between Galle Gladiators and Dambulla Giants, returned no results as the heavens kept showering.

Gladiators and Giants have shared a point each as the match concluded no result.

Giants, batting first, scored 159/7 in 20 overs. Ramesh Mendis scored 33 off 23 balls, followed by their top scorer, Dasun Shanaka, who scored 37 off 32 balls.

For Gladiators, Nuwan Thushara and Noor Ahmed each claimed two wickets, while Samit Patel, Mohammad Hafeez and Dhananjaya Lakshan shared one wicket apiece.

In reply, Gladiators’ batters could only face eight balls, scoring 18 before rain spoiled the proceedings. The game could not resume as it kept raining and, in the end, no result could be concluded.

Gladiators have secured the top position on the table, while Giants are at the second.

READ: Avishka, Perrera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

Avishka, Perera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings registered 14-runs win over Kandy Warriors as Avishka Fernando and Thisara Perera played blistering knocks to help their team win rain-hit match in Lanka Premier League.

Avishka and Perera played brilliant knocks to help the side amassed a massive 181-run total in the allotted 14 overs. Avishka scored 53 runs off just 23 balls including seven sixes, while Perera too, smashed 53 off just 21 balls, including two boundaries and six sixes.

Later, the lower order also made small contributions to help the side post a massive total on board.

For Warriors, Shiraz Ahmed bagged three wickets. Whereas, Nimesh Vimukthi, Al-Amin Hossain and Kamindu Mendis each struck out a batter.

Chasing 182 in 14 overs, Warriors were off to a decent start as the openers laid solid foundation. The opening pair added 64-runs for the first wicket before Charith Asalanka was dismissed.

Asalanka smashed a quickfire 42 off just 19 deliveries including five boundaries and two sixes.

Following his wicket, Rovman Powell joined Kennar Lewis and put on a show. Powell was too hot to handle as the batter went berserk, scoring 61 off just 19 balls. The pair appeared to have pulled the game back into their favor before Powell dismissed.

The wickets began to tumble at the other end which resulted in Kennar going defensive and he too, soon dismissed, scoring 41 off 36 deliveries including three boundaries and two sixes.

Warriors’ batting tail could not go big at the death, and the side, eventually, restricted to 166/5 in their allotted 14 overs.

Jayden Seales took two wickets for Kings, while Chaturanga de Silva and Suranga Lakmal shared one wicket apiece.

Kings’ triumph over Warriors has earned them second position on the points table, while Warriors are at the bottom.

READ: Salt, Zadran drive Dambulla Giants to victory in Lanka Premier League

Salt, Zadran drive Dambulla Giants to victory in Lanka Premier League

COLOMBO: Dambulla Giants registered an easy 18-runs win over the Colombo Stars as Phil Salt and Najibullah Zadran played blistering knocks to help their team register second win in Lanka Premier League.

Salt and Zadran played brilliant knocks to help the side amassed a massive 196-run total in the allotted 20 overs. Zadran scored 54 runs off 40 balls including six boundaries and two sixes, while Salt smashed 62 off just 34 balls, including eight boundaries and two sixes.

Later, Dasun Shanaka, the captain, struck 38 off 25 including three boundaries and two sixes to help the Giants finish strongly.

For Stars, Dushmantha Chameera bagged three wickets. Whereas, Keemo Paul, Akila Dhananjaya and Seekkuge Prasanna each struck out a batter.

In response, Giants bowling attack trapped Stars batters completely. None of their batters were able to go deep and get the side into the winning position. Giants, in the end, were bowled out for just 177 in the 19th over. Tom Banton scored 23 followed by highest run-scorer of the side, Dinesh Chandimal with 26 runs.

Nuwan Pradeep claimed three wickets. Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake and Imran Tahir claimed two wickets apiece. Whereas, Ramesh Mendis struck out a batter.

Salt won the player of the match award for his brilliant 62 and two catches.

READ: Gladiators triumph over Warriors in a nail-biting contest