Tag: LPL

COLOMBO: Former Pakistani captains Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik and all-rounder Imad Wasim are among the Pakistani players, selected in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL) Draft 2022.

Pakistan’s Champions Trophy-winning captain Sarfaraz and the explosive right-handed batter Azam Khan have been retained by the LPL franchise Galle Gladiators. Whereas, all-rounder Imad and Faheem Ashraf have been picked in the International Ruby and International Sapphire categories respectively.

LPL Player Draft 2022 | Players Full List – https://t.co/MxTNFr022U#lpldraft#LPL2022 @LPLT20

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 5, 2022

 

The defending champions Jaffna Kings, on the other hand, have retained the veteran Malik in the International Diamond A category, while right-arm pacer Shahnawaz Dahani has been picked in Diamond B.

Furthermore, the left-arm pacer Usman Shinwari has been picked by Kandy Falcons in the International Platinum category, while explosive batter Asif Ali has been picked in International Sapphire by Colombo Stars. Haider Ali, on the other hand, joined Dambulla Giants in International Diamond B category.

Pakistan Players in LPL Drafts

Sarfaraz Ahmed: Galle Gladiators (International Platinum)
Imad Wasim: Galle Gladiators (International Ruby)
Faheem Ashraf: Galle Gladiators (International Sapphire)
Azam Khan: Galle Gladiators (International Diamond B)
Shoaib Malik: Jaffna Kings (International Diamond A)
Shahnawaz Dahani: Jaffna Kings (International Diamond B)
Usman Shinwari: Kandy Falcons (International Sapphire)
Haider Ali: Dambulla Giants (International Diamond B)
Asif Ali: Colombo Stars (International Sapphire)

READ: Records tumble as England thrash India after historic run chase

HAMBANTOTA: Jaffna Kings’ bowlers held their nerves to guide their side to win the second season of Lanka Premier League (LPL); defeating Galle Gladiators by 23 runs in the final.

Chasing 202, the Gladiators had a superb start to their innings, with their openers recording a quickfire 63-runs partnership. the pair appeared too solid for the Kings’ bowlers, but, Danushka Gunathilaka departed after a quickfire 54 off 21 balls, laced with seven boundaries and three sixes.

After Gunathilaka’s dismissal, Ben Dunk bagged a golden duck on the very next ball. Mohammad Hafeez and Kusal Mendis then partnered brilliantly, but, briefly. Both Hafeez and Mendis lost their wickets in a mix-up, running between the wickets. Hafeez scored 10, while Mendis managed to score 39 off 28 balls, including three boundaries and a six.

Following their dismissal, the Gladiators lost their way, with none of their batters could go big at the depth, the side, eventually, restricted to 178/9 in their allotted 20 overs; losing the match by 23 runs.

For the Kings, Chaturanga de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva each claimed two wickets, while Suranga Lakmal, Jayden Seales, and Maheesh Theekshana, shared one wicket apiece.

Batting first, the Kings’ batters displayed combined batting effort to achieve a commendable total of 201 in 20 overs. Openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando provided a powerful start to their side. Gurbaz, who was smashing the ball over the park, departed early after scoring quickfire 35 off just 18 balls, laced with three boundaries and as many sixes.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore then joined Fernando, both the batters scored half-centuries and recorded an astonishing partnership of 64-runs. Fernando departed after scoring 63 off 41 balls, he smashed eight boundaries and two sixes. Kohler-Cadmore, however, remained not-out with 57 off 41 balls, laced with two boundaries and three sixes.

Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera also chipped in, down the order. Malik scored a valuable 23 off just 11 balls, while Perera scored 17 off just nine.

For the Gladiators, Mohammad Amir, Nuwan Thushara, and Samit Patel, each struck out a batter.

READ: Jaffna Kings crush Dambulla Giants, advances to the LPL final

HAMBANTOTA: Jaffna Kings’ openers Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz batted brilliantly and partnered strongly before their bowlers crushed Dambulla Giants’ batting line-up, in the second qualifier of Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Chasing 211, the Giants’ batters, struggled throughout the innings, and none of their batters could go deep, the side, in the end, restricted to 187/9 in allotted 20 overs; losing the match by 23 runs.

Chamika Karunaratne, on the other hand, played exceptional innings down the order; smashing an unbeaten 75 off 47 balls, including 10 boundaries and two sixes. But, his heroic innings came a little late for the Giants, as the batter, in the end, could not pull off the match for his side.

For the Kings, Jayden Seales bagged three wickets for just 24 runs, while Thisara Perera and Maheesh Theekshana each picked two wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Suranga Lakmal, on the other hand, shared one wicket apiece.

Batting first, the Kings, had a dream start to their innings, with both their openers hitting half-centuries; putting a magnificent 122-runs stand. Gurbaz fell short after scoring a quickfire 70 off just 40 balls; smashing five boundaries and four sixes.

Fernando, on the other hand, kept going, and eventually scored the first century of this LPL season. Fernando scored 100 off just 64 balls; hitting 10 boundaries and four sixes.

With small contributions from the middle-order, the Kings, in the end, posted a massive total of 210/4 in 20 overs.

For the Giants, Lahiru Samarakoon picked two wickets for 30, while Karunaratne and Marchant de Lange each struck out a batter.

The Kings will now face Galle Gladiators in the league’s final on December 23, 2021.

READ: Thushara’s five-fer guides Gladiators to the LPL final

COLOMBO: Galle Gladiators’ batters put on a show; posting 188/5, followed by Nuwan Thushara’s five-fer; assisting the side to thump Jaffna Kings in the first qualifier of Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Thushara’s match winning bowling figures of 5/14, made the proceedings easier for the Gladiators, who thumped the Kings by a massive 64 runs, booking their place in the final of the LPL season 2.

Chasing 189, the Kings started brilliantly, with a six off the first ball, but, Mohammad Amir roared back at Avishka Fernando; dismissing him the next ball. The batter scored six off two deliveries.

Following his dismissal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, tried to anchor the innings, but found no one by his side, doing so. The Kings, kept losing wicket at a consistent rate; being eventually, bowled out for a paltry 129 in the 17th over. Gurbaz top-scored with a valiant 59 off 37 balls; smashing four boundaries and three sixes.

For the Gladiators, Thushara claimed three wickets, while Amir, Isuru Udana, Pulina Tharanga, and Anwar Ali, each took a wicket.

Batting first, the Gladiators’ openers, provided an eye-catching start to the side, with both scoring half-centuries; the pair added an impressive 121-runs partnership. Danushka Gunathilaka departed after scoring 55 off just 42 balls; smashing six boundaries and a maximum.

Kusal Mendis, on the other hand, was even more sound; scoring 85 off just 53 balls, laced with seven boundaries and four sixes, Mendis remained the top-scorer for the Gladiators.

The rest of their batters, also chipped in with significance, assisting the side to post a commendable total on the board.

For the Kings, Wahab Riaz and Thisara Perera each took two wickets, while Suranga Lakmal struck out a batter.

With this victory, the Gladiators have advanced into the final, while the Kings will now face Dambulla Giants in the second qualifier of the event, tomorrow.

READ: Dambulla Giants knock out Colombo Stars from LPL

COLOMBO: Dambulla Giants’ Janith Liyanage’s heroic knock helped his side defeat Colombo Stars by six wickets in the eliminator of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), here on Sunday.

Chasing 146, the Giants’ openers failed to provide a solid start to the team; losing their skipper for a golden duck. Soon after, Sandun Weerakkody also dismissed after scoring 10, and the Giants, slipped to 20/2.

Phil Salt and Liyanage, however, played brilliant knocks and partnered strongly to pull their side back to the track. The pair added a valuable 48-runs partnership before Salt dismissed on 32; facing 21 balls, he smashed four boundaries and a six.

Liyanage, then recorded a terrific partnership with Najibullah Zadran; adding a 41-runs partnership, Zadran dismissed after scoring 34 off 28 balls; hitting a boundary and two maximums. Whereas, Liyanage scored an unbeaten 56 off 47 balls, laced with five boundaries.

His heroic innings helped the Giants to chase down the total in the 19th over, with six wickets remaining.

For Stars, Dushmantha Chameera, Naveen-ul-Haq, Seekkuge Prasanna, and Jeffrey Vandersay each struck out a batter.

Batting first, the Stars, too, started poorly; losing their first wicket for just three runs, as Kusal Perera departed after scoring three. Tom Banton, too, soon dismissed after scoring run-a-ball 13, and the Stars slipped to 26/2.

Pathum Nissanka then, attempted to anchor the innings with his 42, but, was a touch too slow; facing 39 balls. Dhananjaya de Silva, alongside Nissanka, earlier, was looking solid but departed after scoring 15 off 11 deliveries.

With his side struggling and losing wickets at an alarming rate, the skipper, Angelo Matthews, showed responsibility, and scored a much needed half-century for his side. The batter scored an unbeaten 50 off 34 balls, laced with four boundaries and two sixes. With no help from the batting tail, the Stars, in the end, restricted to 145/6 in 20 overs.

For the Giants, Nuwan Pradeep and Imran Tahir each took two wickets, while Chamika Karunaratne struck out a batter.

READ: Vandersay’s six-fer leads Colombo Stars to the Play-Offs

COLOMBO: Colombo Stars’ Kusal Perera hit a brilliant half-century before Jeffrey Vandersay took six wickets to lead their side to a thumping victory over Kandy Warriors in their Lanka Premier League (LPL) fixture.

Stars’ leggie, Vandersay, put on a show with the ball; claiming his first five-fer in the T20 format. The bowler returned with the match winning figure of 6/25.

Vandersay’s heroics halted the run chase for the Warriors, chasing 183, bundled out for a skimpy 124; losing the match by 58 runs.

Warriors’ batters struggled throughout the innings, with none of their batter could go big. Ravi Bopara, however, showed fightback, with his valiant 47 off 31 balls, including five boundaries and a six. Rest of their batters had no answers to Stars’ bowling attack.

For Stars, Vandersay bagged six-fer, while Seekkuge Prasanna took two wickets. Naveen-ul-Haq, on the other hand, struck out a batter.

Batting first, the Stars, also started poorly; losing their first wicket for just one run. Perera, however, showed his class; scoring an astonishing half-century, the batter scored 58 off just 38 balls laced with six boundaries and two sixes.

Dhananjaya de Silva was also impressive with his brilliant 40 off 28 balls; smashing seven boundaries. de Silva, along with Perera, provided a solid 80-runs partnership for the second wicket.

Later, Dinesh Chandimal, and the skipper, Angelo Mathews, also chipped in, assisting their side to post a commendable total of 182/6 in 20 overs. Mathews scored a quick 29 off just 16 balls, including four boundaries, while Chandimal anchored the innings with his unbeaten 44 of 29 balls, the batter smashed three boundaries and two maximums.

Nimesh Vimukthi was the star performer with the ball for Warriors; claiming three wickets. Al-Amin Hossain and Sachindu Colombage, on the other hand, each took a wicket.

The Stars will now lock horns with Dambulla Giants in the first eliminator, scheduled on Sunday. Whereas, the Warriors are knocked out of the tournament.

READ: Bowlers power Gladiators to the LPL’s Play-Offs

COLOMBO: Galle Gladiators’ bowlers annihilated Jaffna Kings’ batting line-up; dismissing them for 109 to power their side to the Play-offs of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

The Kings, chasing 130, struggled throughout the innings, with none of their batter able to go deep. The side, eventually, bowled out for a paltry 109; losing the match by 20 runs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 21 off 15 balls, followed by the top-scorer for the Kings, Shoaib Malik, who score 23 off 27 balls.

Gladiators’s bowlers, on the other hand, were on song. Their combined bowling effort helped their side thump their opposition by 20 runs; booking their place in the play-offs. Noor Ahmed and Samit Patel, each dismissed two batters. Whereas, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, and Sahan Arachchige shared one wicket apiece.

Batting first, the Gladiators, too, could not make an impact with the bat; being able to score just 129/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

For Gladiators, Danushka Gunathilaka scored 19 off 32 balls, followed by their top-scorer of the match, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who scored 23 off 25 balls. Both the batters could smash only one boundary.

For the Kings, Wahab Riaz, Praveen Jayawickrama, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth each bagged two wickets, while Shoaib Malik struck out a batter.

Following this victory, the Gladiators have booked their place in the play-offs, while the Kings have already qualified; finishing at top of the points table.

READ: Kohler-Cadmore, Seales guide Kings to victory in LPL

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings’ batter, Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored brilliant 92 before Jayden Seales starred with the ball to help his side thump Colombo Stars in their Lanka Premier League (LPL) fixture.

Kings’ combined batting and bowling effort; saw their defeating the Stars by a massive 102-runs margin in the 17th match of LPL.

Batting first, Kings, started brilliantly; with a century-plus opening stand. Kohler-Cadmore and Upul Tharanga batted brilliantly, laying the foundation to amass a massive 193/5 in 20 overs.

Tharanga fell short after scoring 33; facing 37 deliveries. The batter was a touch too slow, in contrast to his batting partner, however, his slow inning, did not halt his side from scoring a commendable total. Tharanga smashed four boundaries.

Kohler-Cadmore, on the other hand, was at different level; scoring an astonishing 92 off just 55 balls, laced with five boundaries and eight gigantic sixes. His brilliant innings, set the pace; with the rest of the batters also chipping at the death, guided the Kings to the total.

Chasing 194, the Stars’ batters struggled throughout the innings, apart from their middle-order batter, Tom Banton, no batter could make a significant impact. The Stars, eventually, bowled out for a skimpy 91; losing the match by 102 runs.

Banton, top-scored for the side; scoring 30 run, he faced 33 balls and smashed four boundaries before dismissed by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.

For the Kings, Seales claimed four wickets, while Viyaskanth bagged three. Maheesh Theekshana, on the other hand, claimed two wickets.

With this victory, the Kings have consolidated their top position on the points table, while the Stars remained at the fourth.

READ: 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

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