Match 18, Colombo, December 16, 2021, 07:30 PM
Dambulla Giants
130/9(20.0ov)
Kandy Warriors
135/4(19.2ov)
Kandy Warriors beat Dambulla Giants by 6 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Ravi Bopara
Commentry
Right then! That is all we have from this clash. We have two games coming on 17th December. First, Jaffna Kings will face Galle Gladiators at 3 pm local (9:30 am GMT). And later, we have the big clash between Kandy Warriors and Colombo Stars a place in the playoffs is at stake in that clash which will begin at 7:30 pm local (2 pm GMT). See you there!
Angelo Perera, the skipper of Kandy Warriors, says that they have played a good brand of cricket and have enjoyed their cricket throughout the season. Adds that the lineup for the next game depends on the surface and adds that they have zero pressure as they are looking to enjoy their game.
Niroshan Dickwella, the skipper of Dambulla Giants, says that they have lost the last three games and that is disappointing. But they have played good cricket throughout the tournament. Adds that 130 is difficult to defend on any wicket, but they took the game till the last over. Mentions that the physios are looking after Dasun Shanaka and he has no update.
Ravi Bopara is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that to chase a score like this, you either go hard at the start or bat till the end and he backed himself to do the latter. Adds that batting at number 3 was a plan from the start and his job is to bat through the innings. Says that they have a very important game coming up.
Stay tuned for the presentation.
Dambulla Giants tried their best to defend this target but once again, they were too dependent on their spinners. Imran Tahir and Ramesh Mendis were sensational with the ball and took 2 wickets but the others struggled. Marchant de Lange in particular, had a really rough day as he went for over 10 per over. They needed their other bowlers to step up if they wanted to win this.
The target for Warriors wasn't a big one but with the ball turning a lot, it was a challenge. They lost their top order but Ravi Bopara was solid in the middle. He was later joined by Angelo Perera and their stand steadied the ship and took them closer to victory. Bopara got his fifty and got Kandy Warriors over the line with ease.
Kandy Warriors are alive and kicking! This win has kept them alive and they now have a good chance of making it to the next stage!
In over# 20
6
0
Marchant de Lange 38/0(3.2)
19.2
6
SIX! Bang! The senior pro finishes things off in style. A back of the length delivery, over middle. Ravi Bopara hangs back and pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. Ravi Bopara has done it and Kandy Warriors stay alive. Kandy Warriors win by 6 wickets!
19.1
.
On a good length, outside off. Ravi Bopara punches it back to the bowler.
In over# 19
2
1
1
1
1
1
Imran Tahir 17/2(4)
18.6
2
Googly, around middle, swept towards deep square leg for a brace.
18.5
1
Tosses it up, around middle. Ravi Bopara goes for the sweep and gets the toe-end of the bat towards short third man for a single.
18.4
1
Shorter this time, around middle. Angelo Perera drags it towards long on for a single.
18.3
1
Shorter, outside off, cut through point for another run.
18.2
1
Tad shorter, that has turned in sharply. Pitching outside off and that comes towards middle. Angelo Perera just guides it to short third man for a single.
18.1
1
Tossing it up, googly, on the pads. Pushes it towards long on for a single.
In over# 18
4
4
1
1
1
1
Marchant de Lange 32/0(3)