The fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League concluded with B-Love Kandy led by Wanindu Hasaranga winning their maiden title. The finalists B – Love Kandy and Dambulla Aura had impressive runs in the tournament, therefore our Team of the Tournament features a number of their key players.
- Babar Azam (Colombo Strikers) ✈️
8 Matches | 261 runs | SR 132.48 | HS 104
Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam had a brilliant campaign with the Colombo Strikers in his debut LPL season. Azam finished as the tournament’s second highest run-getter and his scintillating match-winning century against the Galle Titans was a treat to watch. Interestingly, it was the only century recorded in this year’s Lanka Premier League.
- Lasith Croospulle (Galle Titans)
8 Matches | 232 runs | SR 139.75 | HS 80
The 24-year old right-hander had an unforgettable season with the Galle Titans where he managed to win the Emerging Player of the Tournament for his heroics with the bat. Croospulle was the enforcer at the top of the order for the Galle Titans on many occasions and played some crucial knocks to set the platform for his team.
- Dinesh Chandimal (B – Love Kandy)
10 Matches | 259 runs | SR 125.12 | HS 50
Experienced campaigner Dinesh Chandimal had another fruitful season with the bat at the LPL where he finished as the third highest-run getter of the tournament, representing victorious B – Love Kandy. Chandimal brought great energy to a renewed Kandy setup at the top of the order and played some vital knocks with the bat in Kandy’s title winning campaign.
- Sadeera Samarawickrama (Dambulla Aura)
10 Matches | 234 runs | SR 123.80 | HS 59
Sadeera Samarawickrama, who finished as the second highest run-getter of the last edition of Lanka Premier League and won the Player of the Tournament award, had another fruitful season with his new franchise Dambulla Aura. He was the fifth highest run-getter of this season and played a key role with the bat to carry his side to the Final.
>>B-Love Kandy clinch maiden LPL title
- Tim Seifert (Galle Titans) ✈️
7 Matches | 231 runs | SR 133.52 | HS 74
New Zealand batter Tim Seifert was one of the top overseas performers in this year’s edition of the Lanka Premier League. The right-hander was the second highest run-getter among the overseas players and put on some eye-catching performances throughout the tournament.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (B – Love Kandy)
10 Matches | 19 Wickets | BBI 6/9 | Runs 279 | SR 189.79
Wanindu Hasaranga undoubtedly had the best LPL of his career, leading B – Love Kandy to the title as Skipper and shining with both bat and ball with some incredible performances. Hasaranga is used to tormenting the batters with his bowling, but he has rejuvenated himself as a batter during this season, producing some outstanding knocks throughout the tournament. He managed to top both the batting and bowling charts and won the Player of the Tournament award. After guiding B – Love Kandy to their maiden title, there is no second guess that he is our Captain of the Tournament.
- Angelo Mathews (B – Love Kandy)
11 Matches | 7 Wickets | BBI 3/10 | Runs 210 | SR 133.75
The veteran batter Angelo Mathews also had a memorable season with the victorious B – Love Kandy. Mathews, who of late has refrained from bowling, was seen resuming his once again and had greater impact with the new ball, producing some impressive spells for his side. He also had a decent outing with the bat throughout the tournament, especially the match winning knock he played in the final to put his side over the line to lift the trophy, ultimately managing to win the Player of the Final award.
- Dhananjaya de Silva (Dambulla Aura)
10 Matches | 10 Wickets | BBI 4/6 | Runs 192 | SR 128.85
This Sri Lankan off-spinning all-rounder was one of the key weapons of Dambulla Aura’s lineup. He made some crucial contributions with both bat and ball for Dambulla in their successful campaign. His match-winning bowling performance (4 wickets for 6 runs) against B – Love Kandy was the most memorable moment of De Silva’s LPL campaign this season.
- Noor Ahmad (Dambulla Aura) ✈️
8 Matches | 12 Wickets | Econ 7.09 | BBI 3/27
This Afghan chinaman bowler was undoubtedly the most impressive overseas bowler of the tournament. He was brilliant in the middle phase of the innings for Dambulla Aura where he had the knack of getting wickets whenever he was brought on to bowl. He was a wily customer and managed to keep the lid on run-scoring which helped him to maintain an economy rate of around 7 throughout the tournament.
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- Nuwan Pradeep (B – Love Kandy)
7 Matches | 14 Wickets | Econ 8.88 | BBI 3/21
The 36-year old Sri Lankan speedster proved that age is just a number, producing some outstanding bowling performances in this year’s LPL, and was arguably the most impressive fast bowler of the tournament. He ended as the tournament’s second highest wicket-taker, and the top wicket-taker among the fast bowlers. Pradeep’s re-emergence is a positive sign for Sri Lanka as it will bolster the nation’s fast bowling stocks in white-ball Cricket.
- Naseem Shah (Colombo Strikers) ✈️
7 Matches | 10 Wickets | Econ 7.32 | BBI 2.19
This Pakistan speedster showcased some notable bowling performances, especially with the new ball, where he was unplayable for many opening batters of opponents. Even with the older ball, he managed to deceive the opposition batters, claiming vital wickets more often than not, and was the most impressive overseas fast bowler on show.
So that is how ThePapare.com’s Team of the Tournament lines up for this year. What’s yours? Let’s see your team in the comments section!
