Seifert’s 82 trumps Hasaranga’s fifty as Galle Marvels beat Kandy Falcons

DAMBULLA: Wanindu Hasaranga’s explosive half-century went in vain as Tim Seifert played a dominant 82-run knock to help Galle Marvels defeat Kandy Falcons in the ninth match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.

Set to chase 176, Galle Marvels steered to victory in 17.1 overs with a loss of four wickets courtesy of Seifert’s unbeaten half-century.

Niroshan Dickwella set the tone with three boundaries in the first over, however, he fell on the last ball of the over.

Alex Hales was joined by Seifert and together they attacked the Falcons’ bowlers, constructing a 79-run stand for the second wicket in just 34 balls.

Hasaranga broke the partnership in the seventh over when he enticed Hales to attempt a slog sweep, only to get caught by Pavan Rathnayake at deep mid-wicket.

Hales played a quick 38-run cameo off 19 balls with four boundaries and three sixes.

Seifert continued his onslaught as he got involved in a brief 38-run partnership with Bhanuka Rajapaksa (16) before Shoriful Islam castled the latter.

Janith Liyanage (11) struck two boundaries off Lakshan Sandakan, however, he got stumped while going for the third one.

Sahan Arachchige (9) joined Seifert and they safely steered Marvels to their third victory in the LPL 2024 with an unbeaten partnership of 29 runs.

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Seifert finished with an unbeaten 82 off 49, with the help of 13 boundaries, including two sixes.

Shoriful Islam led the bowling attack with two wickets, aided by Hasaranga and Sandakan, who bagged one each.

Galle Marvels’ captain Niroshan Dickwella invited Kandy Falcons to bat first and the bowlers proved the decision right by taking four wickets in quick succession with 32 runs on the board.

Opening batter Andre Fletcher, who remained unfazed amid falling wickets, partnered with Angelo Mathews (25) to add 45 runs for the fifth wicket.

Fletcher scored a 36-ball 50 with four boundaries and two sixes before falling prey to Maheesh Theekshana.

Wanindu Hasaranga then played a blistering cameo to push his team’s total to 175-7 in their allocated 20 overs.

The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 65 from 32 balls, laced with seven boundaries and three sixes.

For Galle Marvels, Isuru Udana claimed three wickets, while Zahoor Khan picked two.

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