COLOMBO: Babar Azam’s half-century followed by Naseem Shah’s 2/19 led Colombo Strikers to a comfortable 27-run victory over B-Love Kandy in the third match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).

The victory marked the Colombo Strikers’ first in this edition of the LPL as they recovered from a 21-run defeat in the opening match against defending champions Jaffna Kings.

Opting to bat first, the home side accumulated 157/6 in the allotted 20 overs at the back of an anchoring half-century by Babar Azam.

The Strikers got off to a shaky start to their innings as they lost two wickets inside the powerplay with just 33 runs on the board.

Star batter Babar Azam batted sensibly and knitted an anchoring partnership with Nuwanidu Fernando for the third wicket.

The pair added 60 runs to the total but conceded 55 deliveries in the process and Fernando, consequently, made a desperate effort to go big but ended up handing a straightforward catch to Mohammad Hasnain.

READ: Hridoy-led Jaffna Kings thump Colombo Strikers in LPL opener

He remained the notable run-getter for the Strikers with 28 off 31 deliveries, hitting two boundaries and a six.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam stood his ground firm and stitched Dhananjaya Lakshan (12) before finally perishing in the penultimate over.

He top-scored for the Strikers with a 52-ball 59 which included four boundaries and a six.

Isuru Udana led the bowling attack for the B-Love Kandy with 3/39, followed by Mohammad Hasnain’s 2/27.

In response, B-Love Kandy’s batting lineup failed against a disciplined Strikers’ bowling attack and could only raise 130/8.

The visitors after a dismal start, lost wickets at regular intervals which eventually halted the flow of runs.

Angelo Mathews (25 off 22) remained the top-scorer for B-Love Kandy amid their dismal show with the bat, followed by Sarfaraz Ahmed, who could score an unbeaten 16 from 21 deliveries.

Their maiden victory in this year’s LPL lifted Colombo Strikers to claim the second position in the points table while B-Love Kandy sank to the bottom.

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