The final of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) was played between B-Love Kandy (BLK) and Dambulla Aura (DA) on Sunday, August 20 at Colombo's R.K. Played at Premadasa Stadium. BLK won by five wickets to win their maiden LPL title.
DA won the toss and batted first scoring 147 runs on the board for 4 wickets in 20 overs. BLK secured a memorable 5-wicket win over DA in a last-over thriller, they overcame a spate of injuries and a demanding schedule to lift their maiden LPL 2023 title.
BLK openers lead to their maiden LPL title
DA, who won the toss and chose to bat first, set the tone of the final, with a competitive score of 147/4 in their 20 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 36 runs, while Kusal Mendis contributed 22. With 31 runs, Kusal Perera also played an important role. However, it was Dhananjaya de Silva's stunning 40-run performance that propelled their innings to a respectable total. Chaturanga de Silva picked up 2 wickets and Nuwan Pradeep (1 wicket, as they shined with the ball for BLK and kept them under a below-par score in the final.
In reply, BLK got off to a good start. Mohammad Haris and Kamindu Mendis, who came on the opening, shared a 49-run partnership in 39 balls for the first wicket. Haris got out after scoring 26 runs, he hit 3 fours and 1 six. Mendis got out on 44 runs. Dinesh Chandimal at number three scored an inning of 24 runs in 22 balls with the help of 3 fours.
Captain Angelo Mathews, who came at number four, remained unbeaten after scoring 25 runs in 21 balls. Asif Ali's 19 off 10 included two fours and a six. Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed took the maximum 3 wickets from Dambulla. During this, Noor spent 27 runs in 4 overs with an economy of 6.80. Apart from this, Binura Fernando took 2 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs.
Wanindu Hasaranga played a major role in BLK’s success. He finished as the event’s leading wicket-taker and run-scorer. The BLK skipper even won the Player of the Tournament award for his all-around performance throughout LPL 2023.
Here's how fans reacted:
Ma Shaa Allah! Champion ❤️
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) August 20, 2023
congratulations
— sardarAurangzaibDogar (@sardarAurangza8) August 20, 2023
Congratulation to all team members and Omar khan sir this was the fantastic match again congratulation and God bless you.
— Lucky Sodhi (@sukhdevsodhi) August 21, 2023
Congratulations @iamharis63
— Syeda Aqsa (@syedaaqsa_23) August 20, 2023
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 bro
— Ihsan (@khanihsan33) August 21, 2023
Well played champs
— Yaqoob_mir786 (@MirrYaqoob) August 21, 2023
You're meant to lift trophies, young lad . Upwards and onwards 🫶
— Mahnoor (@manaynaamanay) August 20, 2023
Many many congratulations to Omar Khan, all team members, and couches now we are waiting for some good announcements for BLove and BFIC community from Mr. Omar Khan
— ساغر صدیقی (@AzfarNasim) August 20, 2023