So, that also brings an wrap to our coverage of this game between the Colombo Strikers and Kandy Falcons. For now, this is me Hiren Kumar signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Saptak, Pritam and scorer/analyst Paras Yadav. CHEERS!
Thisara Perera (Colombo Strikers Captain):''I am happy with the win. It was not easy to bat there. I though 180-190 was a good score on this wicket. I always back my bowlers. When we score 198 there will be 2-3 big overs but we need to stay positive and be in the game."
Wanindu Hasaranga (Kandy Falcons Captain) -"Toss doesnβt matter to be honest, we made a lot
of mistakes in the entire game in all three departments and we deserved to lose
this game.
As I said you just cant blame the batters tonight, we made mistakes in all the three departments so we deserved to lose tonight."
Shadab Khan (Player of the Match)- "I think when I went to bat, it was turning a bit. I had a talk with Thisara(Thisara Perera) to take the game deep and we will go hard at the pacers at the end of the innings.
I didn't know that it's the second hat-trick of LPL, I only know that it's my first(smiles)."
Player of the Match- Shadab Khan
Time for the post-match presentations.
22:48 IST and Local Time: Colombo Strikers win by 51 runs. A comprehensive victory for them against the Kany Falcons and they kick start their campaign with a win. A dominating performance from them with both bat and ball. This game had it all but the main highlight was Shadab Khan's hattrick which sealed the game for the Strikers.
Opting to field first, Kandy Falcons were excellent with the new ball and picked up a couple of early wickets. They were then a bit expensive in the middle and death overs and leaked too many in the end. Kasun Rajitha did pick up 2 wickets to his name but was expensive. Wanindu Hasaranga was brilliant in his 4 overs and ended with the figures of 2/30.
For Strikers, their middle order was brilliant today. They lost their openers cheaply but Muhammad Waseem and Sadeera Samarawickrama steadied the ship and scored 32 and 48 runs respectively. In the end, Thisara Perera and Chamika Karunaratne gave them a strong finish and scored 38 and 25* runs respectively.
Coming to the chase, Andre Fletcher went all guns blazing in the powerplay but was later dismissed by Wellalage for 24. Dinesh Chandimal was also impressive post that and scored 38 off 26 balls. They were pretty ordinary in the middle and death overs and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
With the ball, Strikers were top notch tonight and kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers. He also picked up a hattrick to his name and ended with figures of 4/22 in his 4 overs. Dunith Wellalage was also excellent and picked up 4 wickets to his name.
Stay around for the presentations.
The Kandy Falcons have lost 6 wickets for 7 runs inside 12 deliveries!
What a comeback in the game by the Colombo Strikers. The Colombo Strikers have won by 51 runs.
W Rajitha signals for a review. Wellalage bowls a fullish delivery angling at the middle stump. Rajitha tries to defend on front foot but it sneaks through his defence to hit his front pad. Umpire signals it as out and Rajitha reviews. The ball tracking shows three reds and that means Colombo Strikers have won it by 51 runs!
15.4 D Wellalage to K Rajitha
0 Full delivery angling at the middle stump. Rajitha defends on front foot.
15.3 D Wellalage to K Rajitha
0 Length delivery outside off. Rajitha misses to push it through the cover.
15.3 D Wellalage to K Rajitha
WD Full delivery down the leg side. Rajitha goes for a sweep but misses.
22:43 IST and Local Time: TIMEOUT! Shadab Khan has killed this game with his hattrick. Just 1 more wicket remaining for Kandy and Colombo will look to bowl them out. This game could get over quickly.