Cricket Highlights, 17 August: LPL 2023 (Qualifier 1) – Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans – Dambulla Aura got the ticket to the finale.

Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans (Qualifier 1) – Highlights

Galle Titans and Dambulla Aura faced each other in the 1st Qualifier match of Lanka Premier League 2023. Batting first in that match, Galle Titans scored a moderate target in the scheduled 20 overs. But Dambulla Aura reached the target before the scheduled 20 overs were over. On the other hand, Kusal Mendis won the man of the match title for Dambulla Aura by performing the captaincy well.

If Galle Titans had prevailed, they would have advanced to the final. Galle, however, missed out on making it to the final for the first time after losing to Dambulla by six wickets, though they still have a chance. They will compete against Dambulla in the final on August 20 if they win the second qualifier round.

Kushal Mendis, the captain of Dambulla Aura, won the toss and chose to bowl first before inviting the Galle Titans to bat. The Titans scored 146 runs after losing the toss and losing 10 wickets in 20 overs. After hitting a golden duck, Bhanuka Rajapaksa departed the field. Like the previous game, Liton was then unable to excel with the bat. For 8 runs off 7 balls and a boundary, Hayden Kerr threw him out.

Shakib got off to a good start in the 3rd wicket but couldn’t go far. With the help of 3 fours, he scored 19 runs off 17 balls and was dismissed by Dhananjaya. After Shakib got out, Galle quickly lost a few more wickets. Captain Dasun Shanaka scored 12 runs from 8 balls, Najibullah Zadran was dismissed for 2 runs from 3 balls, Lahiru Samarakoon scored 15 runs from 12 balls with the help of 1 four and 1 six, Seekkuge Prasanna scored 8 runs from 5 balls. Besides, Lahiru Kumara and Tabraiz Shamsi were dismissed for zero runs. 

Lasith Kruspoole however, did play solid defense at the other end. Galle’s innings came to an end with 146 runs when he was out after making 80 runs off 61 balls. His 80-run inning featured seven fours.

Hayden Kerr was excellent with the ball that day. He single-handedly took three wickets. Noor Ahmed took 2 wickets. Besides, Hasan Ali, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Binura Fernando took 1 wicket each.

In the run pursuit, Dambulla got off to a strong start. As usual, Avishka Fernando played a brilliant inning. Shakib made the Sri Lankan batter’s route to the dressing room after scoring 24 runs off 14 balls using 1 four and 3 sixes. However, it had no effect on how quickly Dambulla ran. Sadeera, who scored 13 runs off 15 balls for the 2nd wicket, was sad to be sent back by Seekkuge Prasanna.

After that, there was a glimmer of optimism, but Dambulla’s third wicket duo ended the Shakibs’ aspirations of rejoining the game. For the third wicket, Kushal Perera and Kushal Mendis scored 69 runs in 56 balls. Kushal Mendis was ultimately sent back to court by Tabraiz Shamsi, but Kushal Perera had built the groundwork for the victory. Just one run separated Kushal Perera from a triumph. Following that, Dambulla triumphantly exited the field. Besides, six fours helped Kushal Mendis to score 49 runs off 45 balls, and four fours and three sixes helped Kushal Perera to score 53 runs off 39 balls.

The world’s finest all-arounder Shakib made up for his lackluster performance with the bat that day by dominating the bowling. The Tiger captain notably turned the match around with only 2 runs in the 17th over. His teammates, however, were unable to offer him any decent company. That’s why, Kushal Mendis’ team advanced directly to the championship.

Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans Scoreboard   

Galle Titans – 146/10 (20.0) 

Dambulla Aura – 147/4 (19.4)

Result – Dambulla Aura won by 6 wickets

Player of the match – Kusal Mendis 

Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans Playing XIs