For the first time in five days, all the games were played as scheduled, featuring some high-class ball striking and impressive bowling performances.
In the first game of the day, the Hambantota Bangla Tigers batted first and scored the highest score recorded this year. Afghan international Mohammad Shahzad was the architect of this mammoth scorecard. Shahzad made an 18-ball 52 which included some lusty blows. Skipper Dasun Shanaka showed his power-hitting prowess with some ball striking. The Tigers posted a lucrative score of 163 for the loss of 6 wickets in their 10 overs.
In reply, Kandy Bolts didn’t gain any momentum at any point of their innings. Their highest scorer was young Mohammed Shamaaz. When Shamaaz joined the party, it was a touch too late for the Bolts. Tharindu Ratnayaka stood out for the Tigers with the ball, with impressive figures of 4 for 10 in his two overs.
Brief Scores: Match 13 – Hambantota Bangla Tigers vs Kandy Bolts
Hambantota Bangla Tigers 163/6 (10) Mohommad Shahzad 52, Dasun Shanaka 39*, Thisara Perera 2/26
Kandy Bolts 116/9 (10) Mohammed Shamaaz 25, Shehan Jayasuriya 23, Tharindu Ratnayaka 4/10,Dasun Shanaka 2/16
Result – Hambantota Bangka Tigers won by 47 runs
In the second game of the day, the Galle Marvels recorded a rather easy win against the Colombo Jaguars by 7 wickets. Batting first the Jaguars were restricted to just 82 runs by the Marvels bowling contingent. Zahoor Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Marvels, finishing with figures of 4 for 15. Skipper Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay also grabbed 2 wickets apiece in the meantime. Overseas players Najibullah Zadran and Dan Lawrence were the only batters to ho pass the 20-run mark for the Jaguars.
In reply, as usual, the Marvels’ openers did what they do best. Alex Hales and Niroshan Dickwella showed no mercy towards the bowlers in the opening powerplay. Hales hammered a rapid 38 off 18 deliveries and Dickwella too chipped in with a handy cameo of 20 runs. Galle Marvels reached their target with 17 balls to spare which will do a world of good for Marvel’s net run rate going forward in this tournament.
- Captain courageous Charith Asalanka leads his troops to victory
- Cadmore and Mendis Tear Through Marvels Bowling Attack
Brief Scores: Match 14 – Colombo Jaguars vs Galle Marvels
Colombo Jaguars 82/9 (10) Najibullah Zadran 26, Dan Lawrence, Zahoor Khan 4/15, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/10, Maheesh Theekshana 2/15
Galle Marvels 83/3 (7.1) Alex Hales 38, Niroshan Dickwella 20, Kamindu Mendis 2/14
Result – Galle Marvels won by 7 wickets
The third game of the day saw the unbeaten Jaffna Titans register yet another win under their belt by beating Nuwara Eliya Kings quite comprehensively by 53 runs. Titans batting first posted a huge total of 153 in their 10 overs. English international Tom Abell top-scored for the Titans with 59 and Sri Lanka’s white ball skipper continuing his fine form with the bat also scored a quick-fire 33 off 17 deliveries.
Nuwara Eliya Kings in reply was left in disarray as the two new ball bowlers of The Jaffna Titans were right on the mark from word go. The Kings were five down for just 12 runs at a point. With Chamika Karunaratne’s arrival at the crease, the Kings were given some hope with his breathtaking ball striking. Karunaratne scored a 26-ball 58 which was eventually not enough for the Kings to get over the line.
Brief Scores: Match 15 – Jaffna Titans vs Nuwara Eliya Kings
Jaffna Titans 153/4 (10) Tom Abell 59, Charith Asalanka 33, Chamika Karunaratne 2/34
Nuwara Eliya Kings 100/8 (10) Chamika Karunaratne 58, Pramod Madushan 3/08, Nuwan Thushara 2/05, Dunith Wellalage 2/09
Result – Jaffna Titans won by 53 runs
