Kandy Falcons and Galle Gladiators locked horns on Monday, December 12, in Match 9 of Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 at the Pallekele International Stadium in Pallekele. The falcons’ winning streak was finally broken by the Gladiators as the Hasaranga-led team lost the match by 12 runs.
The Gladiators, led by Kusal Mendis, on the other hand, started their campaign with two defeats in a row and are finally returned back to the winning rhythm as they’ve won two back-to-back matches in the league. This was also the must-win game for the Gladiators.
After winning the toss, the Gladiators opted to bat first. However, it seemed to be a bad decision initially as the Gladiators’ top order was destroyed by Kandy bowlers. However, opener Thanuka Dabare and Nuwanidu Fernando took the responsibility into their hands and helped the team to achieve a respectful total of 153 after losing 6 wickets in 20 overs. A proper rollercoaster ride that began with them being reduced to 10/4 at one stage, only to put up what turned out to be a good enough total.
Thanuka Dabare’s responsible innings
Dabare played a responsible knock of 70 runs off 51 balls including 6 fours and 2 sixes while Fernando scored 56 runs off 50 balls which includes 5 fours. Gladiators struggled against Falcons bowling. Isuru Udana and Carlos Brathwaite bowled brilliant spells to stop the Gladiators from getting a big total.
Chasing the target of 154, the Falcons too had a bad start as they also lost some early wickets initially. Opener Pathum Nissanka scored 29 runs but with a very low strike rate of 90.62 which only led to increasing the required run rate for the team. However, Ashen Bandara and Chamika Karunaratne raised some hopes for the team but couldn’t win the match.
Gladiators displayed a brilliant performance as spinner Imad Wasim conceded only 15 runs in his 4 overs quota while taking 1 wicket. Nuwan Thushara dismissed 2 batters in his 4 overs. Lakshan Sandakan also took 2 wickets while conceding only 22 runs.
YE KAISE HAAR GYE BHAI#KANDYFALCONS #LPL2022 #lpl
— Cricket Updates (@Cricket23002283) December 12, 2022
LPL is getting quite interesting now!
There are no unbeated teams after today's match between #KandyFalcons & #GalleGladiators 🏏
I wish I had the time to be invested in it… 😫#LPL2022 #LPLT20 #WinTogether #එක්වජයගමු— I S 🎄 M A 🇱🇰 (@i_s_a_m_a_) December 12, 2022
Not even chami yaka can win this game fr kandy #LPL2022
— Malik (@abdulmm03) December 12, 2022
It's fascinating to see young Stars performing @LPLT20 #LPL2022
— Dark chocolate 🍫 🇱🇰 (@Tharindu20067) December 12, 2022
There has been a lot of consistency in Nuwan Thushara's line and length hitting. His face is also resembling Malinga's 😁#LPL2022
— රාස්පුටින් | Rasputin (@CharukaLive) December 12, 2022
Get well soon, Azam Khan!
#LPL2022 #AzamKhan pic.twitter.com/ZqF2uGRj70— Muhammad Asif🇵🇰 (@Masif0fficial) December 12, 2022
Congratulations @GalleGladiators for beaten Undefeated team @KandyFalcons #LPL2022
And Lahiru Udara was Better WK from Azam Kahn— MF.Fahim (@MF_Writer) December 12, 2022
That was the best performance of the tournaments so far for @GalleGladiators, being in 10-4 from the power play, a comfortable win. There’s no unbeaten teams now #GGvKF #LPL2022
— Tharindu Ketipearachchi🇱🇰✨🔥 (@Katsper_) December 12, 2022
Back to back wins for Gladiators
Galle won by 12 runs #sportspavilionlk #LPL2022 #GGvKF pic.twitter.com/c2OgeUyoX9
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) December 12, 2022
Galle Gladiators won by 12 runs against Kandy Falcons.#LPL2022 #LankaPremierLeague #KDFvsGGD #KandyFalcons #GalleGladiators #T20Cricket #NuwaniduFernando #MazaPlay pic.twitter.com/qxV1r4ZaPc
— MazaPlay (@maza_play) December 12, 2022
