Colombo Strikers vs Kandy Falcons Match 3 Match Commentary: Lanka Premier League, 2024

11.08pm  Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. Colombo Strikers have managed to start their campaign on a winning note here and would be hoping to ride this momentum as much as they can. For Kandy Falcons they do need to bounce back in the next game, because once you get into that loop of losing matches, you just never know if that win will ever come around. The action in the Lanka Premier League will surely continue on 3rd July with another double-header lined up. In the afternoon game Dambulla Sixers will be taking on Jaffna Kings. The first ball for the same will be at 3 pm IST. Followed by Galle Marvels going up against Colombo Strikers in the evening game which will kick-off at 7.30 pm IST. Although, you'll know you can join us early as well for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye.

11.03pm  Thisara Perera, the winning captain is in for a chat here. He says that he is happy with the result of the game and they are happy with the way they have started the tournament. He says that they have a very compact team, with good batters and a very strong bowling line up as well and he has a lot of confidence in the team to do well in the League.

11.03pm  Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain of Kandy Falcons is in for a quick chat. He informs that they did a lot of mistakes in all three departments and did not deserve to win here. Hopes that they can come back stronger in the next one.

11.02pm  Shadab Khan is the Player of the Match for his match-turning spell. He says that the surface was turning a bit when he was batting if the bowlers bowled it slower in the air, and said that he tried to execute the same when he came out to bowl. He acknowledges that he is the second Hat Tick taker in the League’s history and is very happy about that.

11.01pm  Stay tuned for the presentation....

11.01pm  At the end of 12 overs were 137/4 and certainly in the contest, but Shadab Khan had some other ideas. Before that though, a valuable over from Binura Fernando allowed the pressure get to the opposition, when he went for just 3 runs and picked up a wicket in the 14th over. Then came Shadab Khan who went on to pick up a Hat Trick which also in hindsight sealed the game for the Strikers. Dunith Wellalage and Shadab Khan combined for 8 wickets, both recorded a four-wicket haul each. Glenn Phillips and Binura Fernando picked a piece as well. All in all, it was a complete bowling performance that caught Kandy Falcons by surprise.

10.56pm  Kandy Falcons came out with the right intent for sure, thanks to their opening pair of Andre Fletcher and Dinesh Chandimal who came out firing, scored runs at will. Although, we did expect the ball to turn a lot in the second innings, and that's what happened. It was Dunith Wellalage who started the downfall with his two wickets in a single over inside the Powerplay, which put the Falcons under some kind of pressure. This is when Dinesh Chandimal kept going from his end and helped his side score 20 runs in the final over of the Powerplay, which did not let the run-rate pressure get to them. Once Chandimal lost his wicket, the onus came down to Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain who took this challenge in a good spirit, and stitched a valuable stand with Angelo Mathews to keep them in the contest here. Although, no one knew what was awaiting.

10.52pm  We surely got treated with some exciting cricket here. Kandy Falcons, the defending champions did not stick to their winning team, brought in three changes, but stuck to the same gameplan of chasing, which eventually hasn't worked in their favour this time around. Colombo Strikers came out on top and have handed Kandy Falcons their first defeat of this season. Their spinner hardly gave the opposition any opportunity in the end, as the Strickers picked up the last six wickets for just seven runs. That is just outrageous.

OUT! LBW! That's it, its all over for Kandy Falcons as Dunith Wellalage gets the better of Kasun Rajitha! Pitches the ball up and straight on the middle stump line. Kasun Rajitha takes the front foot across the line of the ball to block it but the ball holds its line and comes in with the arm, in the end hitting Kasun Rajitha on the front pads in front of the stumps. Kasun Rajitha takes the review and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitched in line, the impact is on the middle stump and the ball goes on to hit the stumps. Colombo Strikers win the match by 51 runs.
Kasun Rajitha lbw D Wellalage 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

10.43pm  Strategic Break! It looks all over for Kandy Falcons as the last pair stands in the ground with 53 runs still required in 28 balls. Colombo Strikers look to finish it off soon and get their first win of the season. Dunith Wellalage and Shadab Khan, the stars for Colombo Strikers with the ball and have taken 6 wickets between them. Let's see what happens after the break.

OUT! TIMBER! Dunith Wellalage gets the last hope for Kandy Falcons, Dasun Shanaka with a brilliant change of pace on the stumps. Tosses the ball up on the middle stump line and gets the ball to spin away from the batter. Dasun Shanaka looks to play the slog sweep and is completely beaten by the pace on the ball. The ball crashes onto the off stump and Dunith Wellalage gets his third wicket of the night.
Dasun Shanaka b D Wellalage 5 (4b 1x4 0x6)