END OF OVER:20 | 11 Runs | KAF: 141/7 (13 runs required, RR: 7.05)
- Ashen Bandara41 (30b)
- Isuru Udana3 (3b)
- Nuwan Pradeep3-0-34-0
- Wahab Riaz4-0-34-0
6:56pm Right. That will be a wrap from us for this game. But the action in the LPL does not stop. The Colombo Stars will take on the Jaffna Kings in a bit, with both teams looking to climb further up the table. Do join us for that game but until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Vairavan and George. Goodbye, and take care!
Kusal Mendis, Galle Gladiators captain: (How important was the toss) The same wicket was used yesterday and that is why we wanted to bat first. The slower balls by the fast bowlers was hard on this wicket. Sandakan bowled well, Dabare and Nuwanidu batted well too.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Kandy Falcons captain: Not much (on the importance of the toss). We got four wickets in the powerplay but we then conceded too many runs in the middle overs. (On the pitch) We lost three-four wickets in the middle overs, and that is why we lost the game.
Thanuka Dabare is the Player of the Match for his 51-ball 70, and he deserves every bit of it!
Time for the post-match presentation!
6:50pm Phew, that was some match, from the Gladiators' perspective at least. A proper rollercoaster ride that began with them being reduced to 10/4 at one stage, only to put up what turned out to be a good enough total. With the ball, they never let their intensity drop. They stitched together a solid powerplay, followed it up with a tidy display in the middle overs, and ultimately closed out the game, despite Bandara and Karunaratne teeing off. The Falcons, on the other hand, would look back at how they allowed the Gladiators to get away in the first innings. Their batting powerplay was not great either and once they fell behind the run-rate, they were always playing catch-up. They might have to revisit their batting order as well, considering how superb Karunaratne has been this season, and how influential Bandara is turning out to be.
Two legitimate deliveries, and the Gladiators are home
17 off 4. Udana on strike
24 runs required off the final over, and surely this game is now beyond the Falcons? Oh well. It seems the Gladiators have exceeded the time in which they needed to complete their overs. They will now have five fielders inside the ring, as opposed to four
END OF OVER:19 | 13 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 130/7 (24 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.84, RRR: 24.00)
- Ashen Bandara32 (26b)
- Isuru Udana1 (1b)
- Wahab Riaz4-0-34-0
- Nuwan Thushara4-0-26-2
Udana is the new batter at the crease
C Karunaratne run out 32 (15b 5x4 0x6) SR: 213.33
33 off 11 now. Wahab to bowl from around the wicket
Wahab to bowl the penultimate over. The Falcons still need 37
END OF OVER:18 | 13 Runs | KAF: 117/6 (37 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.50, RRR: 18.50)
- Ashen Bandara29 (24b)
- Chamika Karunaratne23 (12b)
- Nuwan Thushara4-0-26-2
- Wahab Riaz3-0-21-0
Third man still in the circle
Three overs to go, and 50 runs to get. You'd back the bowling side in this situation but stranger things have happened in the LPL. The Falcons have also built up a head of steam now. Thushara to try his luck now
END OF OVER:17 | 13 Runs | KAF: 104/6 (50 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.11, RRR: 16.66)
- Chamika Karunaratne20 (9b)
- Ashen Bandara24 (21b)
- Wahab Riaz3-0-21-0
- Nuwan Pradeep2-0-23-0
Can Karunaratne finish this over with a boundary? Even if it goes for six, the required run rate will rise. That is how tough this run-chase has become for the Falcons
Mid off, extra cover and point in the circle