B–Love Kandy clinched their maiden LPL title, beating Dambulla Aura in the thrilling final played yesterday (20th August) at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Kusal Mendis, the captain of Dambulla Aura, won the all-important toss and decided to bat first. They brought in right-arm pacer Pramod Madushan to replace the injured Hassan Ali. The regular captain of B–Love Kandy, Wanindu Hasaranga, who suffered an injury in Eliminator 2, was unable to play in the final, so Angelo Mathews took over the captaincy. They also made three changes, bringing in Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, and Nuwan Pradeep for Hasaranga, Thanuka Dabare, and Sahan Arachchige.
<<< Hasaranga’s consistent heroics bring B-Love Kandy to their maiden LPL Final >>>
Nuwan Pradeep claimed the first wicket, dismissing Avishka Fernando in the third over as he attempted to clear the infield but instead produced a leading edge that Mohammad Haris caught at mid-off.
Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama combined for a 57-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, although it progressed slowly, taking 47 balls. Chathuranga De Silva proved to be the difference-maker, removing both established batters in a single over. Samarawickrama (36 off 30) saw his stumps disturbed, while Mendis (22 off 23) got an inside edge that was comfortably held by keeper Dinesh Chandimal.
Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya De Silva assumed responsibility in the middle, constructing a valuable 63-run alliance from 46 deliveries. After a remarkable innings, Dhananjaya De Silva fell to Mohammad Hasnain in the 19th over. He was also the top-scorer, accumulating 40 runs off 29 balls, which included 3 sixes.
Perera finished unbeaten on 31 as Aura concluded their innings with a total of 147/4 after 20 overs. On the other hand, Chathuranga De Silva maintained his economical spell, capturing 2/25, while Pradeep and Hasnain secured a wicket each.
<<< Hasaranga’s record breaking spell takes B-Love Kandy to Qualifier 2 >>>
Chasing 148 to secure their maiden LPL title, Team Kandy employed a new opening combination, featuring Mohammad Haris and Kamindu Mendis. They laid a solid foundation and concluded the powerplay with a score of 47/0.
Shortly thereafter, Noor Ahmad spun his magic, dismissing the dangerous Haris for 26. Nevertheless, Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal stabilized the innings, contributing 45 runs for the 2nd wicket. Once again, Noor made the breakthrough as the left-hander departed after a useful contribution of 44 runs.
Chandimal squandered his wicket following a promising start, falling to a well-judged catch near the boundary ropes, with Binura Fernando taking the wicket. Chathuranga De Silva became Noor’s third scalp, departing for a 4-ball duck, reducing Kandy to 107/4 in 15.5 overs.
With 37 runs needed in the final 4 overs, Asif Ali took charge, delivering a quick-fire 19 off 10 balls. Unfortunately, he fell to Fernando, courtesy of a stunning catch by Kusal Perera at short third-man, causing another late twist. Despite losing Asif, Kandy managed to score 10 runs off the remaining 5 balls in the 19th over, reducing the equation to 6 runs in the final over.
With just one ball to spare, Lahiru Madushanka’s top-edge from a pull shot sailed over the keeper’s head to the boundary, clinching the victory for them. As a result, B – Love Kandy were crowned champions of the Lanka Premier League 2023. Stand-in captain Mathews, who held his nerve till the end, remained unbeaten on 25 off 21, while Madushanka remained on 5*.
Among the bowlers of Team Dambulla, only two managed to secure wickets, with Noor taking 3/27 and Fernando claiming two wickets.
This marks the first time that the Kandy franchise has achieved this milestone in LPL history, while Dambulla Aura ended up as runners-up for the first time as well.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avishka Fernando | c Mohammad Haris b Nuwan Pradeep | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Dinesh Chandimal b Wanindu Hasaranga | 22 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 95.65 |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | b Wanindu Hasaranga | 36 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Kusal Janith | not out | 31 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 124.00 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | c Angelo Mathews b Mohammad Hasnain | 40 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 137.93 |
| Alex Ross | not out | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Extras | 11 (b 0 , lb 3 , nb 0, w 8, pen 0) |
| Total | 147/4 (20 Overs, RR: 7.35) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo Mathews | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.50 | |
| Mujeeb ur Rahman | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 6.00 | |
| Nuwan Pradeep | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 | |
| Chaturanga de Silva | 4 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 | |
| Mohammad Hasnain | 4 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 | |
| Kamindu Mendis | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 8.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Haris | b Noor Ahmad | 26 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 118.18 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Sadeera Samarawickrama b Noor Ahmad | 44 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 118.92 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Pramod Madushan b Binura Fernando | 24 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 109.09 |
| Angelo Mathews | not out | 25 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 119.05 |
| Chaturanga de Silva | c Hayden Kerr b Noor Ahmad | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Asif Ali | c Kalana Perera b Binura Fernando | 19 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 190.00 |
| Lahiru Madushanka | not out | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Extras | 8 (b 0 , lb 6 , nb 0, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 151/5 (19.5 Overs, RR: 7.61) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binura Fernando | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 | |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 5.33 | |
| Pramod Madushan | 2.5 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 8.00 | |
| Hayden Kerr | 3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 10.00 | |
| Noor Ahmad | 4 | 0 | 27 | 3 | 6.75 | |
| Dushan Hemantha | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 7.00 | |
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 at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. ){kind=link}