Alright then, two thrilling matches today and there's sure to be similar action tomorrow, so be sure to join us for that. But for now, it's a good night from us!
Mohammed Nabi: "Tough game, low total. Pitch wasn't that easy, but we know to win the game we had to take wickets. The bowl was swinging till the sixth over, which is why we bowled three overs each of the fast bowlers. [Udana worry you?] Yeah a little but. He hit good shots as well, but we went back to the basics with wide yorkers and wide slow ones and that worked in the end."
Niroshan Dickwella: "We started really well, it's a good wicket. I think we bowled well through the innings, even if the last over went for 24 runs. I think it was a good wicket to bat on, but we lost wickets through the innings. The Dambulla bowlers started really well, and so we lost three wickets in the powerplay. We've been playing good cricket, but we didn't get the start we wanted. But these things happen in long tournaments. How we come back is what matters."
Player of the match goes to Chamindu Wickramasinghe for his two wickets and 56 off 34: "It was a hard time for our team. My plan was to play 20 overs, and I think I did that. It was a lot of pressure, but I executed my plans. [first knock in the first game?] Same like today, coaches gave the plan and I just executed it."
Akindu: "Love how balanced the teams are. All of them can go all the way to the finals. Its gonn be a fun tournament"
11.01pm So Dambulla survive an Isuru Udana-sized scare to secure their second win of the season and move up to fourth. Chamindu Wickramasinghe was the undoubted star though, whose 34-ball 56 dragged his side to a competitive total, before grabbing the crucial wicket of Udana in the final over having been thrown the ball for his first over of the game. In between, Dambulla tore through Galle's batting line-up - led by the excellent Nuwan Thushara and Dilshan Madushanka, as well as their spinners. But then came Udana. From 62 for 8 and a runrate damaging loss, his 38-ball 72 took Galle closer than they had any right to be, but in the end it just wasn't enough. Stay tuned for the post-match presentation shortly.
M Theekshana c Hendricks b Wickramasinghe 5 (11b 0x4 0x6) SR: 45.45
Zahoor is the last batter
I Udana c Mohammad Nabi b Wickramasinghe 72 (38b 5x4 5x6) SR: 189.47
Alright then, final over. Chamindu Wickramasinghe has been given the ball. It's his innings that is looking to be the difference here. He struck 24 off the last over, Galle need 27 here. Udana on strike
END OF OVER:19 | 5 Runs | GAM: 134/8 (27 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.05, RRR: 27.00)
- Isuru Udana72 (37b)
- Maheesh Theekshana5 (10b)
- Nuwan Pradeep4-0-32-1
- Dilshan Madushanka4-0-16-1
Udana on strike, 32 needed from 12. Win predictor still 96.34% in Dambulla's favour, but my word it feels closer than that. Here's Pradeep.
Noman Zeb : "Looking like Isuru Udana's day, getting wickets of both openers and bowling with good economy and who knows he might take his team over the line for second win "
END OF OVER:18 | 9 Runs | GAM: 129/8 (32 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.16, RRR: 16.00)
- Maheesh Theekshana3 (8b)
- Isuru Udana69 (33b)
- Dilshan Madushanka4-0-16-1
- Nuwan Pradeep3-0-27-1
AL Nurain : "Are the DAS going to fail to close out a match once again?? They have lost two matches exactly same way this one is going." --- This one would hurt the most, if tit comes to pass.
41 needed from 18. Madushanka to bowl out
END OF OVER:17 | 11 Runs | GAM: 120/8 (41 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.05, RRR: 13.66)
- Isuru Udana60 (30b)
- Maheesh Theekshana3 (5b)
- Nuwan Pradeep3-0-27-1
- Nuwan Thushara4-0-37-3
Yoel: "Can we officialy call Udana an allrounder?" --- think he's been one for a while, Yoel - at least his price tag would dictate so.
52 needed from 24.