Colombo Stars managed to secure a place in the final of Lanka Premier League 2022 as they defeated Kandy Falcons by 6 wickets in the Qualifier 2 of the tournament played today (22nd December) at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Colombo Stars skipper Angelo Mathews won the toss and opted to bowl first with one change to their playing XI from previous game. They have made a like-for-like replacement bringing in leg spinner Seekkuge Prasanna for Jeffrey Vandersay. On the other hand, Kandy Falcons also made one change to their playing XI bringing in Oshane Thomas in the place of Najibullah Zadran.
Kandy Falcons (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Andre Fletcher(w), Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga(c), Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Chamika Karunaratne, Oshane Thomas, Isuru Udana, Chamindu Wijesinghe
Colombo Stars (Playing XI): Nishan Madushka(w), Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Ravi Bopara, Angelo Mathews(c), Seekkuge Prasanna, Benny Howell, Mohammad Nabi, Dominic Drakes, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal
Kandy Falcons got off to a poor start with the bat as their in-form opening pair Nissanka and Fletcher were sent back to the dugout by the speedster Rajitha in the very first over of the innings.
After being rocked by Rajitha’s early strikes, Bandara and the skipper Hasaranga rebuilt the innings adding 92 runs off 55 balls for the 4th wicket. Hasaranga was the top performer with the bat for Falcons as he struck unbeaten 77 runs off 34 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 226.47.
Hasaranga-Bandara terrific partnership and last over blows from Brathwaite gave all the momentum to Falcons as they posted 168/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Rajitha was the standout bowler for Colombo Stars once again as he claimed 4 wickets for 20 runs.
Chasing 169 runs to win, Colombo Stars didn’t their reply well as they lost the opening batter Madushka for 11 runs in the 2nd over and restricted to 32/1 at the end of first 5 overs. However, Asalanka and Chandimal changed their gears just after the powerplay and built a vital 90-run partnership in 63 balls for the 2nd wicket.
Asalanka played a blinder of an innings putting Colombo well on course in the run-chase. He took a few deliveries to get his eye in, but thereafter just took off and never looked back scoring a brilliant knock of 64 runs off 40 balls including 7 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 160.
Though Colombo Stars were in control of the run-chase for the most part thanks to Asalanka’s match defining knock, there were a few jitters at the crease after back to back dismissals including the scalp of Asalanka.
However, the experienced pros Mathews and Bopara held their nerves and finished the job in style as Colombo Stars book their place in the final with a 6-wicket win. Colombo Stars will meet the defending champions Jaffna Kings in the final tomorrow (23rd December) at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Brief Scores
Kandy Falcons – 168/6 (20) Wanindu Hasaranga 77*, Ashen Bandara 40, Kamindu Mendis 23, Kasun Rajitha 4/20
Colombo Stars – 169/4 (18.5) Charith Asalanka 64, Dinesh Chandimal 38, Ravi Bopara 29*, Angelo Mathews 21*, Kamindu Mendis 2/26
Result – Colombo Stars won by 6 wickets
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | lbw b Kasun Rajitha | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Andre Fletcher | lbw b Kasun Rajitha | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | b Mohammad Nabi | 23 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 79.31 |
| Ashen Bandara | c & b | 40 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 95.24 |
| Wanidu Hasaranga | not out | 77 | 34 | 8 | 3 | 226.47 |
| Fabian Allen | b Kasun Rajitha | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Chamika Karunaratne | c Angelo Mathews b Dominic Drakes | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Carlos Brathwaite | not out | 15 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 300.00 |
| Extras | 5 (b 0 , lb 3 , nb 0, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 168/6 (20 Overs, RR: 8.4) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasun Rajitha | 4 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 5.00 | |
| Suranga Lakmal | 4 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 6.75 | |
| Dominic Drakes | 4 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 | |
| Mohammad Nabi | 4 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 | |
| Seekkuge Prasanna | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13.00 | |
| Benny Howell | 3 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 13.33 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka | c Pathum Nissanka b Carlos Brathwaite | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 137.50 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | b Kamindu Mendis | 38 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 115.15 |
| Charith Asalanka | run out (Andre Fletcher) | 64 | 40 | 7 | 3 | 160.00 |
| Ravi Bopara | not out | 29 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 181.25 |
| Dominic Drakes | c Fabian Allen b Kamindu Mendis | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Angelo Mathews | not out | 21 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 161.54 |
| Extras | 4 (b 1 , lb 0 , nb 1, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 169/4 (18.5 Overs, RR: 8.97) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isuru Udana | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.50 | |
| Carlos Brathwaite | 3 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 10.33 | |
| Chamika Karunaratne | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.00 | |
| Wanidu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 9.75 | |
| Oshane Thomas | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19.00 | |
| Fabian Allen | 3.5 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 10.86 | |
| Kamindu Mendis | 4 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 6.50 | |
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 at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.){kind=link}