Galle Gladiators defeated Colombo Stars by 25 runs and finally opened their winning account after playing 3 matches. Both teams locked horns in the seventh game of the Lanka Premier League on Sunday, December 11 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Galle Gladiators had a terrible start to the tournament as the Kusal Mendis-led side failed to win any of their first two matches. On the other hand, the Colombo Stars lost their first match against Kandy Falcons but managed to get a win against Dambulla Aura in their previous match.
Lahiru Udara’s brilliant knock in the 1st inning
Talking about the match, Gladiators’ skipper Mendis opted to bat first after winning the toss. Opener Thanuka Dabare and Mendis gave a brilliant start to the innings as they both put up a blazing 75 runs partnership for the first wicket. Mendis was departed on 39 runs by veteran all-rounder Ravi Bopara. Lahiru Udara came at no.3 but Dabare couldn’t keep his wicket from the other end as he got out on 36 and the team were 81/2.
Udara took the responsibility to take the team to a fighting total and played an unbeaten knock of 45 runs off 30 balls including 5 fours and 1 six. Coming at no.6 Nuwanidu Fernando joined hands with Udara and played a fiery innings smashing 3 fours and 2 sixes. Gladiators ended their innings on 174 after losing 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Chasing the target of 175, Stars’ openers Niroshan Dickwella and skipper Angelo Mathews were looking to give a good start to the team but Mathews couldn’t do it as he was dismissed in the 5th over Nuwan Thushara. However, Dickwella continued to score runs, but from the other end, no one was able to keep the wickets as Stars started losing their wickets at regular intervals of time.
With the brilliant performance from both bat and ball, the Gladiators won their first match of the tournament and they will be looking forward to continuing their winning rhythm.
Here’s how people reacted on twitter :
2 match ke baad khoon khoula#LPL2022 #LPLT20
— Cricket Updates (@Cricket23002283) December 11, 2022
Emerging player of the LPL 2020-D Lakshan
One of the fitst choice seamers of the National team – K Rajitha
Both benched!!!
What a joke !!! @SLColomboStars @colombostarslpl @LPLT20 @ThePapareSports #LPLT20— Kinura Dias (@KinuraDias) December 11, 2022
Kya comeback hai….#LPL2022
— Cricket Updates (@Cricket23002283) December 11, 2022
Mathews must play lower down in the batting order to win matches for Colombo stars #LPL2022 @LPLT20
— Bhagya Sandakelum (@bhagyaslive) December 11, 2022
Brilliant Knock. Back-to-back Half-Centuries for @NiroshanDikka 58*(44) in #LPL2022. Well played @ravibopara 46(35).@colombostarslpl #GGvCS
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) December 11, 2022
@ravibopara scoring at a strike rate of 95 chasing 15 an over 🤣🤣well played 🫡🫡 #LPL2022
— vikkas (@viks15680) December 11, 2022
Galle Gladiators have won the match.
Match 07 – CS VS GG
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Official Tourism Partner @srilankavisit#LPL2022 #LPLT20 #lankapremierleague2022 pic.twitter.com/oz9fm30OiJ— LPL – Lanka Premier League (@LPLT20) December 11, 2022
Seeing Thanuka Dabare batting for the first time…. Looking really good!! #LPL2022 #LPLT20
— BM CricTweets (@BmCrictweets) December 11, 2022
Well done @GalleGladiators
for blooding 3 youngsters and giving them the best platform
Thanuka Dabare
Lahiru Udara &
Nuwanindu FernandoThis is how every #LPL2022 Teams go forward.
— Loshan – ARVLOSHAN (@ARVLoshan) December 11, 2022
