In the 1st Semi Final of LPL 2020, Galle Gladiators defeated Colombo Kings by 2 wickets with a ball to spare and qualified to the Finals.
Colombo Kings 150/9 D Bell-Drummond 70(53), Isuru Udana 19(11) Sandakan 3/32, N Thushara 2/27
Galle Gladiators 151/8 Bhanuka Rajapaksa 33(17), D Lakshan 31(23) Ashan Priyanjan 2/42, Qais Ahmed 1/27
Disciplined bowling helps Gladiators restrict Colombo kings to 150/9
In the 1st Semi Final of LPL 2020, Galle Gladiators won the toss and opted to bowl first. Colombo Kings had a very good batting line up and a big score was expected from them. But they didn’t have the best of starts as Lahiru Udara 1(5) got out early. Chandimal and Bell Drummond had a steady partnership. But Chandimal 14(10) got out in the 5th over. A lot was expected from the Kings middle order. But Mathews 6(11), Russel 11(6), Priyanjan 5(6) all failed to deliver.
D Bell-Drummond 70(53) was going well at one end but even he got dismissed in the 15th over. At 112/6 Colombo kings were at a spot of bother. But few late blows from Isuru Udana 19(11) helped them finish at 150/9. Sandakar picked 3/32 while N Thushara and D Lakshan picked 2 each.
Galle Gladiators chase the target with a ball to spare
Chasing 150 in a high pressure game was always challenging. Moreover the kings had a mighty strong bowling attack. Gladiators too didn’t start well as the lost D Gunathilaka 13(8) and Ahsan Ali 0(5) early. B Rajapaksa 33(17) and A khan 21(13) dominated the bowlers for few overs and boosted the run rate. Both got out in matter of 2 overs. S Arachcige 3(6) too didn’t stay for long. Gladiators were struggling at 77/5 with more than 10 overs to spare.
S Jayasuriya 22(24) and C Ruwansiri 9(14) stayed at the crease and continued the chase. But their slow scoring rate effected the required rate. Finally with 17 runs required of the final 2 overs. Both teams had equal chances but a cameo from D Lakshan 31(23) and a bit of support from other tail enders helped Gladiators chase the target with a ball to spare. Few dropped chances and Injuries at crucial stage cost the match for the kings in the Semi Final. With this win Gladiators have now qualified to the finals and they will face the winner of Semi Final 2 in the finals.
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