Wanindu Hasaranga, Falcons captain: "I trusted Kamindu and Dasun. He didn't do much after that first game, but we know what he can do for any team, and he showed what he can do. He has done that for Sri Lanka as well, and he did that very well. The bowlers did the job, and the batters finished very well."
Strikers captain Thisara Perera: "As a bowling unit we did a pretty good job through the tournament, but today we were short of 10-15 runs with the bat. Kamindu and Dasun batted well under pressure. LPL is getting better and better since the first year. I have to thank the organisers."
Player of the match is Kamindu Mendis, who hit 54 off 36. Kamindu: "It was a really good game. When I went to the middle we had lost a few wickets and I wanted to build some partnerships. We needed to stay positive. I believe I should have finished the game."
Yazdhan : "At 65/5 I thought the match was done and dusted and I almost went to sleep but after 5 or6 overs I had to watch this thrilling game"
Falcons have had a rough time of this LPL, having won only three matches in the league stage. Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka's innings saw them through a difficult period. Although both batters were dismissed, they had done enough.
The Falcons bowling set them up, though. Mohammad Hasnain took 3 for 24 from his three overs. But Wanindu Hasaranga's 2 for 21 might have been the bigger contribution. He picked that this was a slower track as well, and bowled plenty of slower bowlers.
END OF OVER:18 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 158/8 (2 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.77, RRR: 1.00)
- Chamath Gomez1 (4b)
- Ramesh Mendis1 (1b)
- Matheesha Pathirana4-0-38-3
- Binura Fernando4-0-35-3
PHKD Mendis b Pathirana 54 (36b 3x4 3x6) SR: 150.00
New batter is Ramesh Mendis. He can bat for sure. Falcons still have the game in hand. Here's Pathirana with the ball.
END OF OVER:17 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 152/7 (8 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.94, RRR: 2.66)
- Kamindu Mendis54 (35b)
- Binura Fernando4-0-35-3
- Matheesha Pathirana3-0-33-2
MD Shanaka b Fernando 39 (21b 4x4 2x6) SR: 185.71