- Hasaranga has broken the record for most catches by a fielder (8) in T20s for KAF, going past Angelo Perera’s 7
- Colombo’s 2-run win against Kandy is their smallest margin of victory in terms of runs in T20s, beating 6-run win against Jaffna –
- LPL 2024 – (Match 7)
By Marlon Dale Ferreira
In a gripping encounter at the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, the Colombo Strikers emerged victorious over the Kandy Falcons by a narrow two-run margin on Saturday, July 6. The match, held at Dambulla, showcased exemplary performances from Matheesha Pathirana and Glenn Phillips, sealing a thrilling win for the Thisara Perera-led Strikers.
Opting to bat first, the Strikers set an imposing target of 199/9 in their allotted 20 overs, propelled by aggressive batting displays from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Angelo Perera at the top. Gurbaz’s brisk 20 off 10 balls and Perera’s explosive 38 off 23 balls laid a solid foundation. However, it was Glenn Phillips who stole the show with a dazzling knock of 70 runs off 43 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes. Phillips’ innings was pivotal in bolstering the Strikers’ total, supported by a late cameo from Shadab Khan, who contributed a quickfire 23 off 12 balls.
In response, the Kandy Falcons began their chase strongly, with Mohammad Haris (56 off 32 balls) and Andre Fletcher (47 off 36 balls) anchoring the innings with a crucial 95-run partnership for the second wicket. Despite their efforts, the Falcons faced a setback when Matheesha Pathirana turned the tide with a sensational spell, claiming four wickets for 26 runs. Pathirana’s pivotal 17th over, where he took three crucial wickets, and a miserly 19th over that conceded just three runs, swung the match in favor of the Strikers.
The Falcons, needing 19 runs in the final over, were kept at bay by disciplined bowling and sharp fielding from the Strikers. Despite a valiant effort from Angelo Matthews, who threatened with his aggressive batting, the Falcons fell short by two runs. The match concluded in dramatic fashion with Matthews being run out off the final delivery.
Controversy arose earlier in the match when a contentious catch by Chamika Karunaratne was disallowed, which could have altered the course of the game in favor of the Strikers.
With this hard-fought victory, the Colombo Strikers have made a strong start to their campaign in the LPL 2024, showcasing their depth and resilience in both batting and bowling departments.
Chief Scores:
- Colombo Strikers: 199/9 in 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 70, Angelo Perera 38, Shadab Khan 23; Dushmantha Chameera 3/40)
- Kandy Falcons: 197/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 56, Andre Fletcher 47; Matheesha Pathirana 4/26)
Result: Colombo Strikers won by 2 runs.
