COLOMBO: Galle Gladiators’ Lahiru Madushanka and Dhananjaya Lakshan held on their nerves to chase 144 in the final over of their ongoing fixture of Lanka Premier League against Kandy Warriors, here on Tuesday.
Madushanka and Lakhsan partnered strongly down the order to get their side over the line, chasing seven runs in the final over. Madushanka smashed 22 off just 13 balls laced with one boundary and two sixes, while Lakshan scored 10 off just four deliveries including two boundaries. Bot the batters remained unbeaten.
Earlier, Danushka Gunathilaka struck 45 off 33 deliveries, smoking two sixes and four boundaries; the batter remained the top-scorer for Gladiators. Rest of the batters could not contribute significantly.
For Warriors, Sachindu Colombage took three wickets, while Rovman Powell, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka each struck out a batter.
Batting first, Warriors were off to a poor start as the side lost two wickets for just 16 runs. Ahmed Shahzad and Kamindu, however, partnered strongly, but, were a touch too slow to help the side post a decent total. Warriors, eventually, were restricted to143/6 in 20 overs.
Kamindu scored 32 off 25 balls including four boundaries, while Ahmed scored 56 off 51 deliveries including seven boundaries and a six. Rest of the batters could not go big.
Samit Patel was the stand-out bowler for the Gladiators, taking three wickets, while Lakshan bagged two wickets. Noor Ahmed struck out a batter.
The victory over the Warriors has earned Gladiators the top-position on the points table. While, Warriors remained at the bottom.
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