COLOMBO: James Neesham starred with an all-round performance as Colombo Kaps secured a six wicket win over Kandy Royals in the fifth fixture of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Sunday.
Set a stiff 180, Colombo Kaps hit the winning runs inside 19.4 overs, largely due to an unbeaten 115 run partnership between Neesham and Janith Liyanage.
Earlier, Lahiru Udara’s fifty at the top, backed by Mooen Ali’s quick-fire 41, took Kandy Royals to a strong total
Put into bat first, Kandy Royals were bowled out for 179 on the last ball of the innings.
After losing 31-3 inside three overs, Lahiru Udara and captain Angelo Mathews stabilized the innings with a half-century partnership.
The pair took the total to 81 at the halfway mark before the stand culminated with Udara’s wicket, who made 53 from 36, hitting eight fours and a six.
After a solid partnership, Moeen Ali joined Mathews to add a 65-run partnership, lifting their side to a strong total. Moeen hit 41 off just 17 balls, smashing four sixes and a boundary, while Mathews scored 41 off 45 with the help of two fours and two sixes.
Binura Fernando started with the ball and picked up four wickets for Colombo Kaps.
Playing XIs
Kandy Royals: Dale Phillips, Sediqullah Atal, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Udara (wk), Angelo Mathews (capt), Vijay Shankar, Dushan Hemantha, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Garuka Sanketh, Nuwan Thushara
Colombo Kaps: Hermann, Kusal (capt, wk), Samarawickrama, Meesham, Liyanage, Kamindu, Sahan, Binura, Tharupathi, Mujeeb, Hasan Mahmud
