Eliminator, Colombo, December 21, 2022, 07:30 PM
Galle Gladiators
108/9(18.0ov)
Colombo Stars
109/3(16.5ov)
Colombo Stars beat Galle Gladiators by 7 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Ravi Bopara
Commentry
Right then, that is it from the Eliminator of LPL 2022. Colombo Stars have emerged victorious here and booked their place in Qualifier 2 against the Kandy Falcons. That game will take place on 22nd December, Thursday and the first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Angelo Mathews, the winning captain of Colombo Stars, says that it was a tricky wicket to bat on. Adds that there was swing on offer and his bowlers were brilliant. Says that they knew that the wicket wasn't easy to start and the plan was to run hard between the wickets and get set. Shares that it was not easy to score even while being set. Feels that Kandy Falcons is a very dangerous side with firepower in all departments. Ends by saying that they will look to come out and do their best.
Kusal Mendis, the skipper of Galle Gladiators, says that it was hard to play early in the innings and they lost couple of wickets early. Feels that 130 or 140 would have been a good score. Shares that Sahan Arachchige batted really well. Ends by saying that it has been a very good tournament with youngsters doing well.
Ravi Bopara is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 43 runs from 28 balls. He says that he has a good run against Galle Gladiators and there is always one team whom one can do well in T20 format. Feels that there were a few tense moments and it was difficult to start. Shares that the chat with Angelo Mathews was that the longer they batted the easier it would get. Adds that their plan was to focus on the last 24 balls. Also says that their team is coming good and Nabi has been a great inclusion, Ends by saying that hopefully they cab go out and win Qualifier 2.
Presentation Time....
Earlier in the innings, after being asked to bat first, Galle Gladiators got off to the worst possible start and no batter looked comfortable for them. However, a gritty half-century from Sahan Arachchige who was playing his first game of the season took them to a total of triple figures. They came out to defend with a good mindset and made early inroads, but Ravi Bopara and Angelo Mathews made sure that they go empty-handed and knocked them out of the tournament.
Galle Gladiators put on a decent fight with the ball, but it was always going to be difficult to defend 108. They tried their best and started well too with both pacers, Nuwan Pradeep and Nuwan Thushara keeping the batters quiet. However, they just could not pick up enough wickets in the middle. They still managed to take the game to the second last over, but could not get over the line. Nuwan Pradeep and Imad Wasim chipped in with the wickets for them. They will be disappointed as they crash out of the tournament and will need to come back stronger next season.
Colombo Stars have managed to avoid a scare and got over the line in the end. It was not a convincing batting display, though. Both openers played some lusty blows but could not stick around for long, and not too long after that, they lost Charith Asalanka to a run-out. Nishan Madushka opened the innings and ate up 27 balls for his 13 runs, then threw his wicket away. They were 44-3 at one stage, but, it was the experience of Ravi Bopara and Angelo Mathews that controlled the game and absorbed the pressure to take it deep. They targeted the 15th over and made sure there were no more hiccups, and they took the Stars over the line.
Colombo Stars have done it! They register their first-ever win in the knockout stages of LPL and will now face the Kandy Falcons in Qualifier 2. In the end, it was their skipper, Angelo Mathews along with Ravi Bopara who kept their calm and finished the job with an over to spare.
In over# 17
2nb
0
1
4
1
1
Wahab Riaz 26/0(3.5)
16.6
2nb
Ravi Bopara and Angelo Mathews finish it off for Colombo Stars! Full on leg, Angelo Mathews helps this one towards deep square leg for a single. Wahab Riaz has overstepped and that means Colombo Stars get over the line. Colombo Stars win by 7 wickets!
16.5
.
Banged in short on middle by Wahab Riaz, Angelo Mathews looks to hook this one but misses.
16.4
1
On a length at the pads, Ravi Bopara works this one to fine leg for a single.
16.3
4
FOUR! Full and outside off by Wahab Riaz, Ravi Bopara picks the length early and drills it back past the bowler and wide of long off for a boundary.
16.2
1
On a length outside off, Angelo Mathews swipes across the line towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.1
1
On a length on off by Wahab Riaz, Ravi Bopara drops this one down at this feet and sets off for a quick single. Wahab Riaz gets to the ball and kicks the ball towards the stumps at the striker's end. Angelo Mathews was gone had Wahab Riaz hit.
Wahab Riaz (3-0-18-0) to bowl the penultimate over.
In over# 16
0
1
4
1
1
4
Lakshan Sandakan 18/0(3)
15.6
.
On a length around off, Angelo Mathews pushes it to point for a dot. Colombo Stars need 9 off the last two overs.