Kusal Perera & Dasun Shanaka end Colombo’s winning streak

The Colombo team took on the Kandy team in the 10th game of the SLC T20 league at the Pallakelle International Cricket Stadium last evening.

Colombo opted to bat first after winning the toss on a chilly evening in Pallekele. In-form batsman and the tournament’s highest run scorer, Upul Tharanga was rested as ex-Sebastianite batsman Avishka Fernando was given the opportunity in the playing eleven.

Fernando making maximum use of the opportunity whilst capitalizing on the conditions gave Colombo a blistering start, scoring at ten runs an over. Fernando bought up his 2nd T20 half century in just 28 balls, smashing 4 fours and 3 sixes.

Colombo raced to the 100 run mark in the 12th over, but not before Malinda Pushpakumara struck with two wickets to reduce the flow of runs.

Pushpakumara continued to bowl a very tight spell, conceding just five runs in the 15th over. Dasun Shanaka made use of the pressure built by Pushpakumara as he picked up the valuable wicket of Chathuranga de Silva in the 16th over.

Read : Colombo register second consecutive win in a thrilling contest

Middle order batsman Priyamal Perera guided the Colombo innings, scoring a responsible 30 to take his team to 165 for the loss of 7 wickets. Veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga picked up only his 2nd wicket of the tournament as the Colombo batsmen took him for 37 runs in his four overs. Malinda Pushpakumara was the most economical bowler for the Kandy team picking up 2 wickets for 25 runs.

Chasing a target of 166 Kusal Perera gave the Kandy team a solid start as he clobbered Nuwan Pradeep for 16 runs in the 1st over which included two fours and a massive six. Shehan Jayasuriya had other plans as he broke the defense of Lahiru Thirimanne sending him back for a first ball duck.

Read: Tharanga’s ton helps ‘Team Colombo’ to clinch SLC T20 Opener

Perera and Dasun Shanaka consolidated to take Kandy to 54 for the loss of 2 wickets at the end of the power play; Perera bought up his fifty in just 27 balls in the 10^th over.

Dasun Shanaka scored the fastest fifty of the match as he smashed 5 sixes and 2 fours in 23 balls. Kandy reached the target with 15 balls to spare. Kusal Perera top scored with 84 runs and Dasun Shanaka was unbeaten on 60. Shehan Jayasuriya ended up with 2 for 27. This is the first victory for Kandy in the SLC T20 league as they broke Colombo’s winning streak.

Kandy will take on Galle on the 30th of August for their final match of the tournament. The Colombo team has already booked their place in the SLC T20 league final.