The elimination game of the playoff round in the Lanka Premier League 2022 took place between Colombo Stars and Galle Gladiators. This was a rain-affected encounter as both sides lost 2 overs each making this an 18-over game. Stars who bowled exceptionally well and paced their chase to perfection walked out with the win beating Gladiators by – wickets.
Stars captain Angelo Mathews who won the toss decided to bowl first hoping the bowlers would keep Gladiators to a below-par score. Kasun Rajitha and Suranga Lakmal who backed their captain’s decision bowled brilliantly with the new ball putting a lot of pressure on the Gladiator’s top order.
During the 5-over powerplay, Gladiators could only score just 13 runs. Their top order had a miserable time in the middle as only 2 of the top 7 could get into double figures. But Sahan Arachchige who injected some life into the Gladiator’s innings made a quickfire 53 off 31 which included 3 fours and 3 sixes. It almost looked like he was batting on a different surface compared to the other batters.
Thanks to Arachchige, the Gladiators managed to make 108 in their 18 overs losing 9 wickets. Benny Howell who bowled brilliantly at the death took 3 for 17 in 2 overs but the real hero for the stars was Kasun Rajitha who was unplayable with the new ball in hand taking 2 wickets for 9 runs in his 4 overs. Rajitha bowled 16 dot balls in his spell and didn’t concede a single boundary.
>> Photos – Colombo Stars v Galle Gladiators | Eliminator | LPL 2022
Chasing 109, Stars had a not-so-good start as Gladiators managed to bring out a lot of dot deliveries. At one point after losing their top 3, the Stars were on 44 after 8.1 overs. But the experienced duo of Ravi Bopara and Angelo Mathews managed to dig them out of a pressure situation by keeping the scoreboard moving.
At one point Stars needed 37 from 24 balls and the duo managed to steal 17 runs off Nuwan Thushara’s 3rd over which made the equation a lot easier. They followed up the 17 run over with 11 in the next over and got home with 7 balls to spare.
Bopara who was unbeaten on 43 off 28 was adjudged player of the match and Angelo Mathews also made an unbeaten 20 supporting Bopara well. For Gladiators, Imad Wasim bowled an economical spell to dry up the runs in the middle phase taking 1 wicket for 18 in his 4 overs.
With this win, Colombo Stars are now through to the 2nd qualifier and will face Kandy Falcons to determine which team books a date with Jaffna Kings in the all-important final.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asad Shafiq | c Angelo Mathews b Kasun Rajitha | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Ravindu Fernando b Mohammad Nabi | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Lahiru Udara | c Suranga Lakmal b Dominic Drakes | 6 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 46.15 |
| Sahan Arachchige | c Charith Asalanka b Benny Howell | 53 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 170.97 |
| Nuwanidu Fernando | c Charith Asalanka b Mohammad Nabi | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | c Mohammad Nabi b Suranga Lakmal | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Imad Wasim | c Charith Asalanka b Benny Howell | 17 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 113.33 |
| Wahab Riaz | b Benny Howell | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Lakshan Sandakan | b Kasun Rajitha | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Nuwan Pradeep | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nuwan Thushara | not out | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 6 (b 0 , lb 1 , nb 1, w 4, pen 0) |
| Total | 108/9 (18 Overs, RR: 6) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasun Rajitha | 4 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 2.25 | |
| Suranga Lakmal | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | |
| Mohammad Nabi | 4 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 5.00 | |
| Dominic Drakes | 3 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 7.00 | |
| Jeffrey Vandersay | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13.00 | |
| Niroshan Dickwella | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka | c Lakshan Sandakan b Imad Wasim | 13 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 48.15 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Nuwanidu Fernando b Nuwan Pradeep | 13 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 162.50 |
| Charith Asalanka | run out (Nuwanidu Fernando) | 10 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Ravi Bopara | not out | 43 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 153.57 |
| Angelo Mathews | not out | 20 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Extras | 10 (b 2 , lb 1 , nb 1, w 6, pen 0) |
| Total | 109/3 (16.5 Overs, RR: 6.48) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Pradeep | 3 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 7.00 | |
| Nuwan Thushara | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 7.67 | |
| Wahab Riaz | 3.5 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7.43 | |
| Imad Wasim | 4 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 4.50 | |
| Lakshan Sandakan | 3 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 6.00 | |
