DA VS BLK FINAL

Right then, that is it from a terrific season of the Lanka Premier League 2023 where B-Love Kandy won their first title while Dambulla Aura who were brilliant throughout the season but suffered heartbreak at the very last hurdle. The trophy is now handed over to Wanindu Hasaranga who joins his teammates and staff as they celebrate together, and poses for some pictures. It was an amazing tournament and the quality of cricket was really good as well. However, that will be all from our coverage of the LPL 2023 but we are sure that this will be back bigger and better next season. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Kusal Mendis, the captain of Dambulla Aura says that he is not happy with the runs they scored. He feels that the bowlers tried their best and feel LPL was the best this season and thanks to crowd for their support. Ends by saying that he wants them to turn out in numbers in the upcoming Aisa Cup as well.

Wanindu Hasaranga is just collecting award after award here as he is the highest run-scorer, highest wicket-taker, and the player with the most sixes in this tournament. He has totally dominated this fourth edition of the LPL. Lasith Croospulle of Galle Titans wins the Emerging Player of the Season award.

No surprises here as Wanindu Hasaranga is the PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT! He says that he is happy to contribute to every aspect of his team. He adds that the decision to bat up the order was of their head coach and he was ready for this new challenge. He feels no pressure to be the center of attention in all aspects and that he always tries to do his best. He also says that this trophy is special as he is happy to contribute with the bat too. He is back for another quick chat and says that this win is for the support staff and the overseas players. Adds that after the first two losses, they bounced back in the Kandy leg. They came here and continued the momentum and he feels that the batters and bowlers played responsibly.

Angelo Mathews, the stand-in and the victorious skipper of B-Love Kandy is the PLAYER OF THE FINAL for his all-round performance. He says that he is feeling fit and that the schedule was very demanding on some players and they were missing many of them. He adds that he gave him 100% and is happy to contribute to the team however he can. He credited the bowlers and their opposition for having a fantastic series throughout and that he wanted to bat first after losing the toss. He feels that every single game is memorable for him and added that the team was supported well by the support staff and thanked the fans for their presence.

Stay tuned for the presentation....

Wasim Akram to share a few words now. He says that B-Love Kandy played like warriors and they deserve all of it. Adds that winning three knockout games in a short span of time is incredible and credits Wanindu Hasaranga. Tells that they had to play three games without much rest and that is why suffered so many injuries, but that did not stop them from putting in a clinical performance. Mentions that the local staff has helped them a lot and he always said to express themselves and enjoy it on the field. Says that the whole country was buzzing for this tournament and support their respective cities. Ends by saying this is the rise of LPL and there is surely more to come in the upcoming seasons.

Dinesh Chandimal is up for a chat. He says that after losing their opening two games it was tough for them but the captain and coach kept the spirit up. He credits the openers for setting up the pace in this game. Adds that they have enough experience in their team and that is why they have won the tournament even with all the injuries. Mentions that at the innings break their thinking was to attack the Powerplay and they did that while Angelo Mathews finished it. Says that he met Wanindu Hasaranga's parents before the game and said to them that they will win this for their son.

Earlier in the innings, we saw some amazing displays of cricket showcased by both teams. Dambulla Aura managed to score some runs in the middle after a slow start giving them the necessary push courtesy of an important inning by DDS and Kusal Perera. B-Love Kandy bowled tightly in the death and managed to restrict their opposition to under 150 which is considered a chasable score and they did exactly that to write their names in the history books.

Dambulla Aura were behind early on in the game as they failed to dismiss the opening batters. Noor Ahmad came in and dismissed Haris giving them their first breakthrough. That was not enough for them as Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis also managed to develop a good partnership. It was Noor again who dismissed Kamindu and Binura Fernando followed him by dismissing Chandimal. With both the set batters gone and two new batters on the crease, it was time for them to transfer the pressure back on the batters. It was Noor to do that job again as he dismissed Chaturanga de Silva for a duck. Binura Fernando came in at a critical stage and dismissed the dangerous Ali courtesy of a brilliant catch by Kusal Perera. With 6 runs to defend in the last over, Pramod Madushan was entrusted with the ball but there were not enough runs to defend. Noor with his 3 wickets almost managed to steal the game for them supported by Binura who got 2 but it was their opposition who came out to be the better team in this final..

B-Love Kandy had started off extremely well with both their openers batting brilliantly, scoring runs and rotating the strike. They were well in control of the game until Mohammad Haris was bowled over by Noor Ahmad. Kamindu Mendis the other opener managed to score 44 runs and stabilized their innings along with Dinesh Chandimal but they were also dismissed in quick succession. Chaturanga de Silva, the new batter also failed to score any runs and was sent back for a duck. With the required run rate climbing, they had to take on the bowlers and Asif came to their rescue along with Angelo Mathews. They took on Hayden Kerr and scored 12 runs off the over hence releasing some pressure. Just as Asif was bringing them closer to victory he was dismissed by an outstanding catch. Mathews hit 2 boundaries in the penultimate over and brought them back in the chase. 6 runs were needed off the last over. Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Madushanka just managed to take them over the line and to their maiden LPL trophy. The celebrations start in the dressing room as the batters run their final runs. They have been amazing throughout the season and Wanindu Hasaranga gets his hands on the trophy. The top 3 batted brilliantly giving them an amazing start followed by Asif Ali’s quickfire knock and the experience of Mathews coming to their rescue in the end. Not even the injuries in their main lineup could not stop this team from winning.

B-Love Kandy are the new kings of Sri Lanka! This is the first title in their history and we finally have a champion other than Jaffna Kings. It was an absolutely sensational ending to a thrilling final between these two teams but B-Love Kandy emerge victorious and it is their stand-in skipper Angelo Mathews who kept his calm to got them near while Lahiru Madushanka finished the job in the end.

FOUR! That is it! Lahiru Madushanka has done it although in some streaky fashion. Pramod Madushan bravely bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Lahiru Madushanka gets hurried a bit as he tries to pull it away but fortunately for him, he gets a top edge as the ball goes over the keeper's head for a boundary. B-LOVE KANDY WIN BY 5 WICKETS & ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF LPL 2023!

SCORES LEVEL! Pramod Madushan bangs this short and on middle, Angelo Mathews looks to pull it away but gets a top edge which falls safely in front of deep square leg. The batters cross for a run. Angelo Mathews wants the second but he is sent back. It is up to Lahiru Madushanka now!

Pramod Madushan nails the yorker, on middle, Angelo Mathews digs it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg and comes back fro the second run even with his injury. The throw could have been better at the keeper's end.

A full toss, on elg, Lahiru Madushanka swings wildly across the line but misses and the ball goes off his pads towards backward square leg. A leg bye is taken.

Full and on middle, Angelo Mathews chips it towards deep mid-wicket for just a single. B-Love Kandy needs him back on strike.