That will be all from our side as we wrap up the coverage of this LPL 2024 game between the Kandy Falcons and the Dambulla Sixers. For now, it will be the pair of Akshay and Soumarya signing off on behalf of our Scorer/Analyst, Manish Bishnoi.
Wanindu Hasaranga (POTM and Kandy Falcons Captain): "It was a good toss to lose especially on these types of wickets. We didn't quite read the wicket but it was great batting from the top-order batters.
The spinners should vary the pace and that four to five meters length is hard to hit.
This was a big game for us and we did well to win it with a big margin. Thank you."
Player of the Match: Wanindu Hasaranga
Mohammad Nabi (Dambulla Sixers Captain):"That was the plus point to win the toss. We tried our best to keep the score as low as possible. But our bowlers didn't bowl well. You have to bowl according to the conditions. We bowled too full and it caused a high total.
Hemantha bowled really well. Three wickets and less than 15 runs in four overs. But the other bowlers didn't bowl well and it helped them post that total on the board."
19:16 IST and Local Time: It's time for the post-match presentation.
19:10 IST and Local Time- The Dambulla Sixers finish off with 168/9 in their 20 overs and they've slumped to a 54 run loss here. The Kandy Falcons bowlers were superb and riding on the back of Hasaranga's four wicket haul and Shanaka's three wicket haul, they've kept the Sixers down to a modest score. None of the batters could make a good contribution except Kusal Perera for the Dambulla side.
The Dambulla Sixers got off a poor start and they lost three wickets in the powerplay early on as the batters tried to go too hard. Hendricks was the first one to go , followed by the Afghan dasher Zadran who fell cheaply. Kusal Perera though, continued to play the big shots.
He was joined by Chaman and the duo put up a 40 run partnership for the fourth wicket where the run rate was accelerated. Chapman matched Perera stroke for stroke and moved quickly into the 20's before he was dismissed by Hasaranga. The Kandy skipper struck again as he got rid of his opposition counterpart Nabi leaving the Dambulla side reeling at 96/5.
Kusal Perera fought valiantly as he played a buoyant knock of 74 from just 40 balls. However Hasaranga picked him up too to ensure that the Falcons had the upper hand in the game and merged towards victory. The tailenders fought hard but the equation was always going to be beyond their reach.
OVER 20
Dambulla Sixers
168/9
Nuwan Thushara
1(2)
Dilshan Madushanka
1(1)
Chaturanga de Silva
1-9(1.0)
19.6 Silva to N Thushara
0 An off-break on a good length outside off, Thushara gets low and goes for a slog sweep but misses. That will be the end of this fixture. The Kandy Falcons beat the Dambulla Sixers by 54 runs and stay alive in the competition.
19.5 Silva to D Madushanka
1 Flighted off-break outside off, Madushanka steps out and chips it straight back over the bowler's head for a run.
19.4 Silva to N Thushara
1 Flatter delivery on the pads and Thushara flicks it in front of square in the leg side for a single.
W STUMPED!!! Silva bowls a flighted off-break around off, Hemantha steps out of the crease and looks to slog it across the line but misses it completely. Chandimal behind the stumps collects it cleanly and whips the bails in a flash as Hemantha has no chance of getting back in the crease.
19.3 Silva to D Hemantha
WD Full and just outside the tramline in the off side and it has been signaled as wide.
19.2 Silva to D Hemantha
6 SIXXX!! Take that, says Hemantha. Tossed up delivery on the stumps, Hemantha dances down the track and clobbers it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. Clears the leaping fielder out on the boundary.
19.1 Silva to D Hemantha
0 Round the wicket, good length around off, Hemantha swings and misses due to the away turn.