The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, Rajarshi Das as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. Do stay tuned to Sportskeeda with two exciting LPL fixtures lined up tomorrow too. Until next time, it is a warm good-bye!
Chamika Karunaratne (Colombo Strikers captain): It was tough. The ways boys played was very good. The way Pathum played and the debutant, Nipun was really good. Nawaz, myself and Nuwanidu did well in the lower-order and the bowlers were superb. (The decision to bowl Iftikhar Ahmed in the Powerplay) If the left-hander was there, wanted Iftikhar Ahmed to bowl. It was my plan and the team was happy with it. (On how he will approach the final game) I am not a relaxed person. If there is something more than 100%, we have to give that.
Wanindu Hasaranga (B-Love Kandy captain): We came today to win the game but they played really well. We rested Dinesh Chandimal today and gave a chance to Sahan Arachchige. He is still young and we didn't manage the Powerplay overs well. After we lost two matches, I asked Angelo Mathews whether he could bowl with the new ball. He needed two days of practice and he was ready to go
Pathum Nissanka is the Player Of The Match! Here's what he has to say: I learned a lot batting with Babar Azam. I didn't have much of a plan even after Babar got out, played my normal game, and as far as the final total we got, I felt that there was still a few runs short. (Translated by Roshan Abeysinghe)
What a superb victory for Colombo Strikers as they stay alive in the tournament with an impressive nine-run win against B-Love Kandy. Colombo Strikers did really well to post 169-9 initially on a tricky wicket. They also started superbly with the ball as Naseem Shah removed Mohammad Haris in the very first over. After struggling for a while, Sahan Arachchige was the next to depart as he was caught and bowled by Iftikhar Ahmed in the Powerplay. Despite the poor start to the chase, Wanindu Hasaranga promoted himself to No.4 again and played some counter-attacking cricket.
Just as Kandy were getting into a decent position, a poor call from Hasaranga meant that Fakhar Zaman was run-out in the tenth over. In the very next over, Hasaranga holed out in a bid to take on Jeffrey Vandersay as Colombo got right back on top. Hasaranga's brother, Chaturanga de Silva kept the team in the hunt with some lusty blows but Chamika Karunaratne got the better of him eventually. In the 14th over, Vandersay forced a false shot out of Angelo Mathews as Kandy slipped to 96-6. Thereafter, Asif Ali was the final hope for the batting side and the Pakistani threatened to take the game away. Yet, Matheesha Pathirana bowled a superb full delivery to castle Asif in the 18th over as Kandy were handed a major blow. The duo of Ashen Bandara and Isuru Udana tried to take the game deep but Naseem Shah and Pathirana closed out the match with some brilliant death bowling.
This result keeps Colombo in the hunt for a play-offs spot. They will face Galle Titans tomorrow in what will basically be a knock-out fixture!
20
overs
160/8score
4
1
2
1
W
0
runs
Mohammad Hasnain*
0(1)
Isuru Udana
5(5)
Matheesha Pathirana
2/32
19.6 Matheesha Pathirana to Mohammad Hasnain, swing and a miss! Colombo are alive - they keep themselves in contention for the playoffs! Pace-on delivery from Pathirana, he pitched this one up outside off stump, Hasnain had a swing at it having moved away, but was far from making contact! Colombo Strikers triumph by 9 runs!
Mohammad Hasnain, RHB, is into the middle
19.5 Matheesha Pathirana to Ashen Bandara, KNOCKS HIM OVER! Pathirana is an absolute champion! The crowd at R. Premadasa erupted in unison just as the ball crashed onto the fibre! This was fired in on a full length from Pathirana, marginally outside off stump. Bandara had a big swing across the line, the ball took the inside edge, and the furniture was lit up!
Ashen Bandara b Matheesha Pathirana 22 (18b, 3x4, 0x6)
19.4 Matheesha Pathirana to Isuru Udana, full toss outside off stump, but Udana doesn't capitalize! He flat-bats this one towards long on for a single. No signal from the square leg umpire either!
19.3 Matheesha Pathirana to Isuru Udana, full outside off from Pathirana, Udana heaved this one towards cow corner without much timing. However, the call was for two right away, and they got it
19.2 Matheesha Pathirana to Ashen Bandara, half-volley just outside off stump, Bandara squeezed this one towards the cover region. Just a single as the man at cover does really well
19.1 Matheesha Pathirana to Ashen Bandara, FOUR! Just the start B-Love Kandy needed! Back of a length outside off stump, Bandara moved across, gave the ball a hoick, didn't quite connect, but still managed to find the gap at deep mid wicket!
World-class death bowling from Naseem Shah. Just eight runs off the penultimate over and he has left Matheesha Pathirana 18 runs to defend
19
overs
152/7score
1
1
2wd
1lb
0
2
1
runs
Ashen Bandara*
17(15)
Isuru Udana
2(3)
Naseem Shah
1/28
18.6 Naseem Shah to Ashen Bandara, full, down leg, Bandara gave himself room, looked to loft the ball over long on, but found the man in the deep on the bounce. Just a single - 18 to get off the last over for B-Love Kandy!
18.5 Naseem Shah to Ashen Bandara, yorker on middle stump, Bandara squeezed this one towards the mid on region. Udana called him through for a second run as three fielders - including the bowler, converged upon the ball, and they got it
18.4 Naseem Shah to Ashen Bandara, perfect yorker from Naseem this time! He fires it down leg, but Bandara, having made room for it, wasn't able to connect. Udara did really well to dive to his left and gather that
18.3 Naseem Shah to Isuru Udana, yorker from Naseem once again, Udana looked to swing, but was struck on the foot outside leg stump. The batters sneak through for a leg bye
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Mohammad Hasnain
*
Matheesha Pathirana
Video
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