Bowlers star as Sixers down Strikers in low-scoring contest

COLOMBO: A combined bowling effort led Dambulla Sixers to defend a low total against home side Colombo Strikers in the 20th match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 here on Tuesday.

Despite the 28-run victory, the Sixers crashed out of the playoffs race as they finished at the bottom with six points in eight matches.

Meanwhile, defending champions Kandy Falcons, who also boast alike record in the ongoing tournament, advanced into the next stage of the LPL 2024, owing to a superior net run rate.

Put into bat first, Dambulla Sixers recovered from a disastrous start to register 123 runs on the board.

The Sixers had lost half of their side inside eight overs with just 38 runs on the board.

Following the slump, Mohammad Nabi joined forces with Chamindu Wickramasinghe and launched an astounding recovery.

The duo batted sensibly and added 62 runs for the sixth wicket before Binura Fernando dismissed Nabi in the 16th over.

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The veteran all-rounder remained the top-scorer for the Sixers with a 33-ball 40, laced up with four fours and two sixes.

Wickramasinghe soon followed in his senior’s footsteps and perished in the 18th over after scoring an important 26 off 29 deliveries.

Fernando led the bowling charge for the Strikers with 3/15, followed by Matheesha Pathirana and Dunith Wellalage, picking up two wickets each.

Chasing a modest 124, the Sixers’ batting unit unfolded on a paltry 95 despite skipper Thisara Perera’s fighting knock.

Perera waged a lone battle after coming out to bat at No.7 with the Strikers reeling at 48/5.

He scored a gutsy 30 off 31 deliveries with the help of one four and three sixes and was the last batter to be dismissed.

Nuwan Pradeep was the star with the ball for the Sixers with his three wickets while Chamindu Wickramasinghe bagged two.

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