KF VS CS QUALIFIER 2

Right then, that is all we have from this Qualifier 2! Colombo Stars have brought their A-game on the table and have booked a meeting with Jaffna Kings in the final of the Lanka Premier League 2022. It will be played on Friday, 23rd of December and the action starts at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us early for the build-up. Cheers!

Angelo Mathews, the skipper of Colombo Stars says that he is very pleased with the win. Adds that the credit goes to the entire team as it is mentally and physically challenging to play back to back games. Mentions that they decided late that they will bowl first and tells that Kasun Rajitha set the tone upfront with two wickets in the first over. Ends by saying that they have a fit team for the final and says that Chandimal and Asalanka batted really well which set the platform for them to chase this down.

Wanindu Hasaranga, the skipper of Kandy Falcons says that they lost few wickets in the Powerplay but adds that what they did in the field was very bad, one cannot drop so many catches. Tells that 168 was a good total on the board but feels that they fielded badly. Mentions that he wanted to bat deep and that’s why he got good runs on the board. Signs off by saying that he is absolutely fit.

Kasun Rajitha is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his four-wicket haul! He says that he just tried to do the basics right which helped him. Adds that he was happy that they got to bowl first and is extremely happy with his perfomance. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to the final now.

Time for the Presentation.

Earlier, in the game Kandy Falcons made a good comeback to post 168 on the total after losing two wickets in the first over. Wanindu Hasaranga was the star with the bat with an unbeaten knock of 77 from just 34 balls. Kasun Rajitha was the one who created inroads for Stars both with the new ball and in the death and his batters then backed it up with a clinical chase.

Kandy Falcons, on the other hand, would be pretty disappointed with their bowling and fielding effort, They dropped way too many catches at crucial junctures and the injury to Carlos Brathwaite also did not help their cause. Their bowling revolved around Carlos and Hasaranga and the skipper having a bad day in the office with the ball cost them badly in the end. Credit to Kamindu Mendis for the way he stepped in and got two crucial wickets to bring his team back into the game but they needed more players to step up.

One has to give credit to Colombo Stars for the way they paced this chase! They showed intent right from the start. The young Nishan Madushka showed promise but perished early. However, the international quality of Asalanka and Chandimal came to their rescue as they notched up a counter-attacking 90-run stand. Chandimal departed in the 13th over and Asalanka too was run out after a brilliant fifty as they went onto loose three wickets quickly in the middle overs. However, they always had the experience of Bopara, Mathews and Nabi to follow and take them through and in the end, the 45-run unbeaten partnership between Bopara and Mathews have taken them over the line comfortably.

Bopara and Mathews have finished the game off for Colombo Stars yet again and with this win, they have booked their place in the grand finale of the Lanka Premier League 2022! They have peaked as a team at the right time and have knocked out the team that was the best of this season in the league stage. You got to feel for Wanindu Hasaranga and his boys, but that is how the game works and on the night where it all matters, Colombo Stars have delivered!

FOUR! Ravi Bopara finishes things off in style! Fabian Allen lands this short again and on off, Ravi Bopara stays there and thrashes it over extra covers for a boundary. Colombo Stars win by 6 wickets and qualify for the final!

Another single as this short delivery is forced towards sweeper cover. Only 4 runs needed now!

Short again and on off, Ravi Bopara pucnhes it towards sweeper cover for a single.

Short and outside off, Ravi Bopara looks to cut it but gets an outside edge towards short third man.

FOUR! Nice shot! This is flatter, full and around off, Ravi Bopara goes inside out and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary. They are now one hit away from victory.

SIX! 20 of the over! Colombo Stars have got their big over! Wanindu Hasaranga gives this one some flight, on middle, Angelo Mathews this time slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie. Now, Colombo Stars need just 10 runs in the last two oevrs.

SIX! This is turning out to be an expensive over! This is tossed up, full and on middle, Angelo Mathews stays there and whips it over the wide long on fence for a maximum.

Floated, full and on off, Ravi Bopara smashes it towards long off for one.