B – Love Kandy made it to the Final of the Lanka Premier League 2023 with a comprehensive 34-run win over the Galle Titans in the Qualifier 2 played today (19th August), at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
After winning the toss, the B-Love Kandy Captain Wanindu Hasaranga opted to bat first as they had made several changes to the side due to their massive injury concerns. Thanuka Dabare, Lahiru Madushanka, Chathuranga De Silva and Mohammad Hasnain were brought in for Fakhar Zaman, Kamindu Mendis, Isuru Udana and Nuwan Pradeep. Meanwhile, the Galle Titans added Sohan De Livera and Sonal Dinusha for Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Lahiru Samarakoon.
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Once again, Lahiru Kumara created havoc by getting both of the openers in 3.4 overs. Shakib Al Hasan was afterwards introduced early in the powerplay and produced the wicket of Sahan Arachchige, which reduced Kandy to 20/3.
Wanindu Hasaranga, the man in form, walked in next and started to play his attacking role like he did throughout the season. It looked promising, but his hamstring injury put him in pain and under pressure. He scored an invaluable 48 runs in a brilliant 72-run alliance with Dinesh Chandimal. In the meantime, the Kandy Captain became the highest run scorer in LPL 2023.
Chandimal, though, played the anchor role, adapting to the pitch conditions and scoring 38 off 37 balls. From a position of 45/3 in 8 overs, they managed to get 157/7 at the end of their innings, thanks to a 25-run 18th over from Sonal Dinusha.
With the ball in hand, Kumara bowled exceptionally well, taking 2/21 while Dinusha finished with 2/32 in 3 overs.
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In reply, Litton Das and Lasith Croospulle got off to a quick start, racing to 35 in the first 3 overs. Afterwards, the Skipper Hasaranga bowled an economical over which put some pressure on the openers, and soon after, Chathuranga De Silva castled Das for 25, providing the first breakthrough.
One brought two as Mujeeb Ur Rahman got his first, dismissing Sohan De Livera. From there, the remaining batters really struggled to get going and the wickets kept tumbling towards the back end of the innings. Dinusha was the top scorer with 28 runs as Galle only managed to get 123/8.
On the bowling front, Mohammad Hasnain, Chathuranga De Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga did their job perfectly and bagged two wickets apiece. With yet another truly amazing all-round performance, Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga won the Player of the Match award for the 4th time this season. Hasaranga is currently the leader in both batting and bowling charts.
Catch all the live action from the Final of the Lanka Premier League 2023 on Sri Lanka’s No.1 Sports Hub – ThePapare.com.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Haris | c Kasun Rajitha b Lahiru Kumara | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Thanuka Dabare | c Najibullah Zadran b Lahiru Kumara | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Lasith Croospulle b Sonal Dinusha | 38 | 37 | 3 | 1 | 102.70 |
| Sahan Arachchige | st Sohan de Livera b Shakib Al Hasan | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | c Kasun Rajitha b Sonal Dinusha | 48 | 30 | 3 | 4 | 160.00 |
| Angelo Mathews | run out (Sohan de Livera) | 24 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 141.18 |
| Asif Ali | c Dasun Shanaka b Kasun Rajitha | 10 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 90.91 |
| Chaturanga de Silva | not out | 15 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 250.00 |
| Lahiru Madushanka | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 9 (b 0 , lb 0 , nb 1, w 8, pen 0) |
| Total | 157/7 (20 Overs, RR: 7.85) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasun Rajitha | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 | |
| Lahiru Kumara | 4 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 5.25 | |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 4 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 6.00 | |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 | |
| Seekkuge Prasanna | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 9.50 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12.00 | |
| Sonal Dinusha | 3 | 0 | 32 | 2 | 10.67 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liton Das | b Chaturanga de Silva | 25 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 131.58 |
| Lasith Croospulle | c Lahiru Madushanka b Chaturanga de Silva | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 107.69 |
| Sohan de Livera | c Mohammad Hasnain b Mujeeb ur Rahman | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | c Mohammad Haris b Sahan Arachchige | 17 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 113.33 |
| Sonal Dinusha | c Dinesh Chandimal b Mohammad Hasnain | 28 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 87.50 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Dinesh Chandimal b Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Najibullah Zadran | c Mujeeb ur Rahman b Mohammad Hasnain | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 |
| Seekkuge Prasanna | c Angelo Mathews b Wanindu Hasaranga | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Kasun Rajitha | not out | 10 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Lahiru Kumara | not out | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Extras | 12 (b 0 , lb 3 , nb 0, w 9, pen 0) |
| Total | 123/8 (20 Overs, RR: 6.15) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo Mathews | 3 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 10.33 | |
| Mujeeb ur Rahman | 3 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 9.67 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 5.25 | |
| Chaturanga de Silva | 4 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 4.00 | |
| Sahan Arachchige | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 5.00 | |
| Mohammad Hasnain | 3 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 2.67 | |
| Lahiru Madushanka | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 | |
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, at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. ){kind=link}