CS VS BLK MATCH 18

Right then! We have two more matches to go in the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League and we will have to wait till the final encounter in two days' time to see which two teams qualify for the playoffs. The next match will see the two teams who have already qualified battle it out for the top spot. We return on Monday 14th August for match number 19 where B-Love Kandy lock horns against Dambulla Aura at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but as you know, you can join us for the build-up well in advance. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Chamika Karunaratne, the captain of Colombo Strikers says that the wicket was really good and credited his team for playing amazingly well. Mentions that the decision to play Nipun Dhananjaya worked well for them as he scored some runs for them. Informs that the bowlers bowled to their strengths and Iftikhar Ahmed was a surprise element for them. He ends by saying that he is not relaxed as the work is still left to be done and he along with his team will give their best to win the final match.

Wanindu Hasaranga, the skipper of B-Love Kandy says that he will try and change the line-up tomorrow and mentions that the opposition played well. He adds that they are trying new players and the poor management of the Powerplay did not work for them. He ends by saying Angelo Mathews bowling the opening overs is a big positive for the team and he is the best all-rounder in the country.

Pathum Nissanka is the Player of the Match for scoring 51 runs in 38 deliveries to help his side get off to a good start. He says that he learnt a lot from Babar Azam and after he got out he played his normal game. He felt that they were still 10-15 runs short while they were batting.

Time for the presentations...

Iftikhar Ahmed bowled a lovely spell in the Powerplay and had one wicket to show for his efforts. Matheesha Pathirana claimed two wickets and now tops the wicket-taking charts with Jeffrey Vandersay chipping in with two as well. Naseem Shah and Chamika Karunaratne had a wicket a piece under their belt as well. Earlier in the game, it was Pathum Nissanka and Nipun Dhananjaya who made Colombo Strikers reach a respectable total. The former scored a half-century whilst Dhananjaya fell to Chaturanga de Silva after scoring a quickfire 40. Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, and Wanindu Hasaranga picked two wickets each for B-Love Kandy while Chaturanga de Silva and Nuwan Pradeep chipped in with one.

The B-Love Kandy batters looked vulnerable from the start of their innings. They lost their openers early on in the game and Wanindu Hasaranga opted to counterattack scoring a swift 40 but fell for a slower ball. Later, Asif Ali came in with all guns blazing but it was too little too late for them. They will look to bounce back from this and win their next game, and possibly hope for their openers to return to form before the playoffs. Well, it was an excellent bowling display by the Colombo Strikers' bowlers. They were all over their opposition from the word go. They lost momentum at the end but held their nerves and go over the finish line.

Colombo Strikers have registered a crucial win and have kept themselves in contention for the playoffs. They will now face off against the Galle Titans in the final game of the group stages to decide which team will go through to the finals. Jaffna Kings are still in third place with a better net run rate and are certain to qualify unless rain washes the final game out. B-Love Kandy tried to take the game late but kept losing wickets at regular intervals which hampered their effort. They have already qualified but they will want to end strong against the table-toppers to consolidate the top two spots.

Bowled this full and outside off. Mohammad Hasnain swings and misses as the ball is collected by the keeper. The Colombo Strikers win this must-win match and take home the 2 points.

Mohammad Hasnain will face the last ball?

OUT! TIMBER! Matheesha Pathirana bowls this full and outside off. Ashen Bandara swings hard but not in the right line. The ball ricochets onto the stumps from the inside edge and he has to depart. That has sealed the game for the Colombo Strikers as B-Love Kandy need 10 runs in 1 ball.

A full toss outside off. Isuru Udana slaps it down the ground to long on. The batters cross.

Full again and on off. Isuru Udana gets an inside edge and the ball goes to mid-wicket. The batters run quick as they get a couple.

Full and on the off pole. Ashen Bandara punches it to cover for a single.

FOUR! A much needed boundary. Matheesha Pathirana bowls this short and outside off. Ashen Bandara swings hard and sends the ball towards the gap wide of mid-wicket for a boundary to ease the pressure.

Full again and on leg. Ashen Bandara lofts it to long on for another single. Some splendid death bowling from Naseem Shah.

Again a perfect yorker from Naseem Shah. Ashen Bandara digs it out and the batters take a couple of runs.