Lahiru Udara the 29-year-old right-hander made a solid knock of an unbeaten 45 in 30 balls with 5 fours and a six as Galle Gladiators recorded a 25-run win over Colombo Stars in their LPL cricket fixture played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
This was the Galle side’s first victory of the tournament and they played to their full potential to beat Colombo Stars led by former National skipper Angelo Mathews. Colombo Stars chasing a target of 175 runs managed to get only 149 for 7 wickets in 20 overs.
Galle openers Kusal Mendis (39 in 27 balls with 5 fours and 2 fours) and Thanuka Dabare (36 in 27 balls with 5 fours) were involved in a valuable partnership of 75 runs in 8.2 overs to lay the platform for the Galle side while number three batsman Lahiru Udara used his experience to finish the innings with an unbeaten knock which guided them to victory. The youngster Nuwanidu Fernando also added a vital 29 runs in 16 balls hitting two sixes and 3 fours batting at number six.
Colombo Stars opener Niroshan Dickwella hit an unbeaten 58 in 44 balls with 8 fours but it was in vain as they lost the game. Dickwella who hit a fine knock of 62 in their previous game at Hambantota struck back to back half centuries while experienced England player Ravi Bopara came to the middle as number six batter struck a quick knock of 46 in 35 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes but it was not enough to reach the target.
The skipper Angelo Mathews who opened the innings was sent back to the pavilion early scoring only 9 runs in 10 balls while Dinesh Chandimal hit 16 in 9 balls with 2 fours but the much-expected Charith Asalanka was out cheaply scoring 5 in 7 balls. Galle Gladiators bowlers fought back strongly to restrict the opponents to 149 runs after 20 overs.
Lahiru Udara was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Chief scores:
Galle Gladiators: 174 for 6 wickets in 20 overs (Thanuka Dabare 36, Kusal Mendis 39, Lahiru Udara 45*, Nuwanidu Fernando 29, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/31)
Colombo Stars: 149 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Niroshan Dikwella 58*, Ravi Bopara 46, Dinesh Chandimal 16, Nuwan Pradeep 2/52, Wahab Riaz 2/21, Ifthikar Ahmed 2/12)
Monday, December 12, 2022 – 01:00