Match 6, Kandy, August 04, 2023, 03:00 PM
Dambulla Aura
156/6(20.0ov)
B-Love Kandy
160/3(18.3ov)
B-Love Kandy beat Dambulla Aura by 7 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Commentry
Right then! A crucial win for B-Love Kandy as it keeps them alive in the tournament and in contention for the playoff spots. Dambulla Aura won their last match with ease against the reigning champions so they will be really disappointed with this loss. The action in the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League continues as we have the second game of our doubleheader in which Galle Titans will lock horns against the reigning champions Jaffna Kings. The build-up for that game has already begun and the first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) so do shift tabs to catch our coverage. From here, it is goodbye and cheers!
Wanindu Hasaranga, the skipper of B-Love Kandy says that he is happy with the win and the bowlers bowled really well in these conditions. Adds that Fakhar was great with the bat and his inclusion along with that of Dushmantha Chameera is a positive sign for them. Claims that the bowlers will have a major part to play as the tournament progresses. Ends by saying that they will look to continue with the same momentum from now on.
Kusal Mendis, the skipper of Dambulla Aura says that they fell short by 20-30 runs. Adds that the first six overs were a bit difficult for them and they failed a bit with the bat. Ends by saying that Dhananjaya de Silva played well and they will look to bounce back.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling effort as he ended with match figures of 4-0-17-2.
Time for the presentations...
Dambulla Aura were well behind the game right from the start as they lose three wickets inside the Powerplay. Avishka Fernando tried to hold up one end scoring 32 runs in 31 deliveries but it was Dhananjaya de Silva's 61 in 39 balls that helped his side cross the 150-run mark and put a fighting total on the board. Hayden Kerr and Alex Ross contributed a bit lower down the order but it never looked like a target that would bother the opponents. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was wonderful claiming two wickets for 17 runs in his four overs and Isuru Udana also had two scalps under his belt. Mohammad Hasnain and Dushmantha Chameera were expensive but chipped in with a wicket each.
Fakhar Zaman looked to be a little lucky at the start as he edged a couple of balls to the fence but got a move on thereafter. Dinesh Chandimal decided to take the aggressive route forcing Zaman to play the role of an anchor as the two added 69 runs for the opening partnership. Dhananjaya de Silva managed to dismiss Zaman as he took a good catch off his own bowling. Chandimal carried on scoring at a brisk rate but got himself run out two runs short of his half-century having faced just 29 deliveries. Kamindu Mendis struggled at the wicket scoring 18 in 28 balls but Angelo Mathews and Asif Ali provided the finishing touches as they romped home to a win with 9 balls to spare.
B-Love Kandy have registered their first win of the tournament! This has been a professional performance by them as they have condemned Dambulla Aura to their second loss of the season and they have their first points on the board with this 7-wicket win. B-Love Kandy have been really good in all aspects of the game and have deservedly come up on top while Dambulla Aura will have to go back to the drawing room to figure out their plans and come back stronger. Their bowlers lacked the bite and only Dhananjaya de Silva and Hayden Kerr managed to claim a wicket each with the third wicket coming off a run out. They conceded runs far too easily and were unable to build any pressure to claim timely wickets.
In over# 19
4
1wd
1
6
Shahnawaz Dahani 46/0(3.3)
18.3
4
Four! Thats it! Short and on off, Asif Ali hangs back and pulls it through fine leg for a boundary. B-Love Kandy beat Dambulla Aura by 7 wickets!
18.3
1wd
Wide! Sways it down leg, Asif Ali looks to flick it but misses. Scores level now!
18.2
1
On a length and on off, pace off, Angelo Mathews punches it to covers for one.
18.1
6
SIX! Up, up and over! Touch short and on off, Angelo Mathews hangs back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a flat six. Just 3 needed now!
In over# 18
0
1
1
1wd
1
1
1
Hayden Kerr 28/1(4)
17.6
.
A yorker, on off, Asif Ali blocks it back towards the bowler.
17.5
1
Touch fuller, on off, Angelo Mathews knocks it to long off for one more.
17.4
1
A yorker, right into the blockhole, Asif Ali digs it to point for one.
17.4
1wd
Wide! Sways it wide outside off, Asif Ali offers no stroke.
17.3
1
Touch fuller, on off, Angelo Mathews looks to heave it but gets an inside edge towards square leg for a single.