That's a wrap of our coverage of Match 11 of the Lanka Premier League 2021. Do join us tomorrow for another day of LPL and BBL action and for more cricket around the globe on our One Cricket and Cricket Exchange Network. For now, this is me Ayan Chatterjee signing off on behalf of my esteemed co-commentators Rohit Yadav and Karthik Raj. We will see you on Super Sunday as Super Saturday comes to an end. Till next time, stay safe, happy, and cool, and get vaccinated if you still haven't. Good night, Goodbye. TA-TA AND ADIOS!
Dasun Shanaka | Winning captain -" It was very tough, I think I made the right decision, credit to Chamika for bowling that lasts over. I thought the spinner (Jayathilaka) would be the one bowling the last over but then felt Chamika, with his variations and execution, would be very useful and he proved it. We will look to give some of the other guys an opportunity, to see how they go about, before the playoffs."
Dhananjaya de Silva | Losing captain - "It was a hard fought game and unfortunately one team had to lose. We need runs from the top-order, if that happens, we'll be in the game big time."
Tharindu Ratnayake | Player of the Match - "Really happy with my performance, the pressure was there, but we took our chances."
The Player of the Match goes to Tharindu Ratnayake.
Softlogic Star of the Match goes to Niroshan Dickwella.
Power Hitter of the Match goes to Dinesh Chandimal.
Oh, What a game we have had. Chandimal almost did it for the Stars. But Chamika Karunaratne bowled the final over defending 13 of the final over and win the game for the Dambulla Giants by the barest of margins. They win by 1 run. A low-scoring match we have seen but boy it was money's worth. Chandimal stood tall but fell short at the end. Shanaka the skipper used his spinners to perfection and Chamika did well in the end. The scenes tell the story. Joy and ecstasy for Shanaka and his men. Despair and agony for Chandimal and Stars.
Dinesh Chandimal's unbeaten 65 off 40 balls went in vain while captain Silva scored 33 as well. The spinners doing the business. Ratnayake 3-18 in 4 overs, Tahir 2-19 in 4 overs. Mendis with 1-23 in 4 overs. Chamika had 1-11 in his only over while Pradeep went the distance.
Earlier in the day, The Dambulla Giants posted 138-9 with Dickwella's 30 being the top-scorer. Nobody other than him got significant returns. Maqsood scored 24 while Salt scored 21. Captain Shanaka 16 and Chamika scored 12. 3 wickets for Rampaul, 3 for Vandersay, and 2 for Prassana were the highlights of their bowling. But all in all, a great game as the Giants edged out the Stars by a run.
Dambulla Giants go top of the table with this win while Colombo Stars stay at the bottom with just a solitary win. Stick around for the post-match presentation ceremony coming your way.
Rohit: Ah so near yet so far. You gotta feel for Chandimal as he fell few yards short to take the team home which was looking almost impossible at one moment
OVER 20
Colombo Stars
137/8
Dinesh Chandimal
65(40)
Naveen ul Haq
0(0)
Chamika Karunaratne
1-11(1.0)
19.6 C Karunaratne to D Chandimal
4 BOUNDARRRRRRRY BUT Dambulla Giants triumph in the end!! Short delivery, Chandimal connects the pull shot behind square and the ball runs away to the fence. However, Colombo Stars fall short by two runs. Dinesh Chandimal's cracking 65-run knock ends in vain!!
6 off the final ball. No wides, no no-balls now. Won't have a Super Over. Can Chandimal be a hero here? Lots of chatter here. Here we go.
19.5 C Karunaratne to D Chandimal
2 Full, slow and wide, Chandimal lofts it wide of long-off for a couple of runs. Chamika Karunaratne is frustrated at the fielding effort as Chandimal is back on strike
0 Slow and full outside-off, Chandimal moves across and swings hard but he only miscues it along the ground to deep mid-wicket. He refuses the single and will look to finish off the game on his own
W WICKET AND A DOT BALL!! Short delivery, Chameera looks to pull but he top-edges it towards square-leg. Karunaratne runs across to the right and takes a fine return catch