Galle Gladiators beat Kandy Falcons by 12 runs in the 9th match of the Lanka Premier League 2022, played today (12th December) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Galle Gladiators’ Skipper Kusal Mendis won the toss for the 2nd consecutive time and opted to bat first, with no changes to their playing XI from previous game. On the other hand, Kandy Falcons made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Ashan Priyanjan for Fabian Allen.
Galle Gladiators (Playing XI): Thanuka Dabare, Kusal Mendis(c), Lahiru Udara, Azam Khan(w), Iftikhar Ahmed, Nuwanidu Fernando, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Nuwan Pradeep, Nuwan Thushara, Lakshan Sandakan
Kandy Falcons (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Andre Fletcher(w), Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga(c), Ashan Priyanjan, Carlos Brathwaite, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Ashian Daniel, Zahoor Khan
Galle Gladiators got off to a poor start with the bat, losing the first 4 top order wickets for just 10 runs inside four overs, as Carlos Brathwaite once again put the Galle batters into misery by taking 3 wickets up front.
However, the two talented youngsters Thanuka Dabare and Nuwanidu Ferando rescued the Galle innings adding 113 runs off 87 balls for the 5th wicket. Dabare made 70 runs off 51 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes, while Fernando chipped in with 56 runs off 50 balls, which included 5 fours.
The Kandy Falcons were modest in the field with Nissanka being the primary culprit as he dropped two catches. Brathwaite, who picked up 3 for 17, was the pick of the bowlers for the Falcons, while veteran seamer Isuru Udana snared 2 wickets for 19 runs.
In reply, the Kandy Falcons never got going in the run-chase as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The tournament’s leading run-scorer Pathum Nissanka got a start, but threw his wicket away in the 20s.
Bandara and Karunaratne tried their best by putting on 56 runs off 25 balls, which is the highest 7th wicket partnership in LPL history, but it was a bridge too far for them to reach.
Galle Gladiators held their nerves to close out the game, clinching a 12-run win and handing the first defeat for Falcons in the tournament. The speedster Nuwan Thushara and chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan impressed with the ball for Gladiators picking up 2 wickets each.
Brief Scores
Galle Gladiators – 153/6 (20) Thanuka Dabare 70, Nuwanidu Fernando 56, Carlos Brathwaite 3/17, Isuru Udana 2/19
Kandy Falcons – 141/7 (20) Ashen Bandara 41*, Chamika Karunaratne 32, Pathum Nissanka 29, Lakshan Sandakan 2/22, Nuwan Thushara 2/26
Result – Galle Gladiators won by 12 runs
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanuka Dabare | run out (Pathum Nissanka) | 70 | 51 | 6 | 2 | 137.25 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Pathum Nissanka b Carlos Brathwaite | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Lahiru Udara | b Isuru Udana | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Azam Khan | lbw b Carlos Brathwaite | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | c Pathum Nissanka b Carlos Brathwaite | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nuwanidu Fernando | lbw b Isuru Udana | 56 | 50 | 5 | 0 | 112.00 |
| Imad Wasim | not out | 15 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 300.00 |
| Extras | 5 (b 0 , lb 2 , nb 0, w 3, pen 0) |
| Total | 153/6 (20 Overs, RR: 7.65) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isuru Udana | 4 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 4.75 | |
| Carlos Brathwaite | 4 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 4.25 | |
| Ashan Priyanjan | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17.00 | |
| Wanidu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 5.75 | |
| Zahoor Khan | 3 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 14.00 | |
| Chamika Karunaratne | 4 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 8.25 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c & b Lakshan Sandakan | 29 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 90.62 |
| Andre Fletcher | c Azam Khan b Nuwan Thushara | 8 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Nuwan Pradeep b Lakshan Sandakan | 9 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 64.29 |
| Wanidu Hasaranga | c & b Imad Wasim | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Ashan Priyanjan | run out (Thanuka Dabare) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Ashen Bandara | not out | 41 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 136.67 |
| Carlos Brathwaite | c Kusal Mendis b | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 |
| Chamika Karunaratne | run out () | 32 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 213.33 |
| Isuru Udana | not out | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 8 (b 4 , lb 0 , nb 0, w 4, pen 0) |
| Total | 141/7 (20 Overs, RR: 7.05) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imad Wasim | 4 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 3.75 | |
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 26 | 2 | 6.50 | |
| Wahab Riaz | 4 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 8.50 | |
| Nuwan Pradeep | 3 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 11.33 | |
| Lakshan Sandakan | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 | |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 | |
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