Yeh tho Akhir Jeet gaya’ -Fans react as Colombo Strikers beat B-Love Kandy by 9 runs in LPL 2023
The 18th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) took place between Colombo Strikers (CLS) and B-Love Kandy (BLK). CLS won the toss and opted to bat first. They did not get off to the best of starts as Babar Azam was caught by Mohammad Haris off Angelo Mathews for 9 off 8 balls.
Lahiru Udara was the next to fall as he was dismissed for 1 off 3 balls by the Haris-Mathews combo. Nipun Dhananjaya smashed 40 off 29 balls with one four and three sixes. Pathum Nissanka was in good form as the right-hander struck 51 off 38 balls with four fours and one six and was the best batter for CLS.
After the fall of Nissanka’s wicket at 127-4, Colombo could not accelerate in the death overs which meant that they came crashing down to 169-9 in their 20 overs. Wanindu Hasaranga took 2-21 in his four overs for BLK with the ball, and Mathews picked up 2-23 in his three overs.
Colombo Strikers beat B-Love Kandy by 9 runs
In response, the CLS bowlers rocked the BLK top order in the run chase. Haris, Fakhar Zaman and Sahan Archchige were back in the hit with the score at 62-3. Amidst the wickets, Hasaranga tried to breathe life into the chase as he hit 40 off 21 balls with six fours and one six.
Barring Hasaranga there was some support from Asif Ali who hit 33 off 15 balls with two fours and three sixes. Ashen Bandara made 22 off 18 balls with three fours. In the end, it was not enough as CLS bowled beautifully at the death. This meant BLK had lost a thriller in the LPL by 9 runs. BLK will go up against Dambulla Aura (DMA) on August 14. CLS have their next game on August 15 against Galle Titans (GLT).
Amongst all the five teams in the T20I competition, only DMA are assured of qualification. The league has been great for Sri Lankan Cricket as a lot of youngsters have been in the spotlight. The overseas stars have also come in and did well. The LPL is going strong, Adding more teams to the league will only strengthen the tournament further.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Finally Colombo Strikers
Won by 9 Runs❤️Hopes are Alive for Colomo Strikers They just need 1 Win and Their NRR Make Them Qualify Congratulations to All Babar Fans 🔥❤️#LPL2023 #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/zjPnhwCCWA
— saeed rajput (@SaeedRa77896345) August 13, 2023
What thriller win by Colombo they bowled very well today specially ifti chachu in power plays pathirana and naseem in death overs Good team work by All and they did it👍🔥#BabarAzam #ColomboStrikers #LPL2023 #SportsMirchi pic.twitter.com/KWl4vIxefM
— Vishal Jeevan🇵🇰 (@vishaljeevan_) August 13, 2023
Colombo win by 9 runs and that 9 runs comes from Bobby's bat 😍
— Sher Afzal Khan Marwat (fan) 🇵🇰 (@ishahidbangash) August 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/Ali95280696/status/1690791700581490688?s=20
Huge congrats to Colombo Strikers for a sensational victory against B love Kandy! 🏏🥳
One step away from qualification to playoffs– keep up the incredible momentum and bring that next win home! 💪🏆#BabarAzam #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/BhnRfpQueI— Dilawar Hussain (@_DilawarHussain) August 13, 2023
Nissanka future of srilanka, also
Pathiranka future
now make thier mussels make them strong soo can perform with more power ,— denominator. (@IMehndi2) August 13, 2023
Matheesha 💜💛
— wasana swarnamali (@Waas92s) August 13, 2023
Ye kia bat kahdi adhi pakistani awan lpl dekhri h jinhe kisi team se koi lena dena nh h mujh samet bht awam colombo strikers k match dekhti h batting me jab ap out hojate ho to band krdete h dekhna hame bht farq prta h apke out hone se babar @babarazam258 https://t.co/CwExwf8qSy
— imambabarian Imambabarian (@imambabarian) August 14, 2023
Nawaz should be dropped. Iftikhar is not confused. He just hasn't found his form with the bat yet.
— Usman Amir (@UsmanAm33129857) August 14, 2023