Cricket Highlights, 06 Aug: LPL 2023 (Match 08) – Colombo Strikers vs Dambulla Aura

Colombo Strikers vs Dambulla Aura (Match 08) – Highlights

In the 8th match of Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023, Dambulla Aura cruised to an impressive 10-run triumph over Colombo Strikers courtesy of controlled bowling by the bowlers. However, captain and wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Mendis played a key role in the victory of the team by playing a devastating innings of 87 runs off 46 balls. As a result, he was also awarded the player of the match.

After losing the toss and batting first, Dambulla Aura collected a huge score of 192 runs losing 6 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. In pursuit of the target, the innings of Colombo Strikers stopped due to the fierce bowling of Dambulla Aura’s bowler at 182 runs for 4 wickets.

Dambulla Aura’s batsmen got off to a good start. Sadeera Samarawickrama came to the wicket when Avishka Fernando (12) returned to the dressing room for the team’s 24 runs. For the 2nd wicket, Kusal and Samarawickrama put up a stormy partnership of 120 runs off 64 balls. Skipper Kusal played a great innings of 87 runs off 46 balls smashing 4 fours and 8 sixes.

On the other hand, Samarawickrama played an efficient innings of 59 runs off 35 balls hitting 7 fours and 1 six. In the end, Dambulla Aura collected a big score thanks to the cameo innings of Dhananjaya de Silva (15 from 7 balls) and Hasan Ali (6 from 2 balls). Matheesha Pathirana took the highest number of 3 wickets for the Colombo Strikers. Besides, Naseem Shah took 2 wickets and Chamika Karunaratne took 1 wicket.

Colombo Strikers’ batsmen got off to a great start chasing this challenging target. They picked up 61 runs losing only one wicket in 6 overs of power play. At the team’s total of 17 runs, opener Niroshan Dickwella returned to the dugout with 16 runs off 8 balls. After that, Babar Azam and Pathum Nissanka built up a pair for 62 runs from 44 balls to take the team forward.

Although Babar played aggressively in this pair, Pathum patiently continued to advance the innings from one end of the wicket. But Pathum’s slow innings put the team in more danger. His innings batting at a strike rate of 78.57 in such a high-scoring match created a lot of pressure for the team.

Spinner Noor Ahmad guided the devastated Babar to the pavilion. Babar scored 41 runs off 24 balls with the help of 7 boundaries. On the other hand, Pathum scored 22 runs off 28 balls with 1 four and 1 six. However, Nuwanidu Fernando brought the team back into the match from there. Due to his stormy innings, Colombo Strikers started to see the hope of winning again.

But in the end, he could not lead take the team to victory. Nuwanidu played an unbeaten innings of 56 runs off 39 balls, hitting an even number of 4 fours and sixes. Besides, Dhananjaya Lakshan remained unbeaten with 18 runs off 15 balls and Chamika Karunaratne made 20 runs playing 7 balls.

Noor Ahmed scalped the highest number of 2 wickets for Dambulla Aura. Hayden Kerr took 1 wicket for just 27 runs in 4 overs. Besides, Dhananjaya de Silva also got 1 wicket.

Including this match, Dambulla Aura has climbed to 2nd place in the points table with two wins and two losses in four matches. On the other hand, Colombo Strikers are at the bottom of the points table with just one win taking part in three matches.

Colombo Strikers vs Dambulla Aura Scoreboard

Dambulla Aura – 192/6 (20.0)

Colombo Strikers – 182/4 (20.0)

Result – Dambulla Aura won by 10 runs

Player of the match – Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis

Colombo Strikers vs Dambulla Aura Playing Xis