Pathirana’s master class puts Colombo Strikers in Playoffs

Tuesday, 16 July 2024 01:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Colombo Strikers became the third team to qualify for the Lanka Premier League 2024 Playoffs when they came up with a clinical performance to beat Galle Marvels by seven wickets in the second double header played at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.

With this win Colombo, who are currently third with 8 points have put themselves in a perfect position to pip second placed Jaffna Kings for the top two position in the table.

Despite yesterday’s loss Galle remained on top, locked on 10 points with Jaffna with net run rate separating them. Colombo play their final league game against Dambulla Sixers today at 7:30 pm.

Colombo chased down Galle’s score of 138 with the minimum of fuss on a pitch that had grip and turn for the spinners. Muhammad Wasim Muhammad Wasim managed to grind his way to a half-century off 44 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) and there were useful contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (23 off 17) and Glenn Phillips who led the chase to perfection with an unbeaten 31 off 32 balls (1 four, 1 six).

Earlier Pathirana produced a master class bowling performance at the death to dismiss Galle out for an under-par total of 138. Galle lost their last five wickets for six runs with Pathirana picking up three in the final over to end with figures of 4/20.

Galle didn’t have the best of starts, with Niroshan Dickwella falling to Binura Fernando in the third over. Dunith Wellalage then got the important wicket of Alex Hales. Galle however got a partnership going between Tim Seifert and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa was the more aggressive, taking down Wellalage for two sixes and a four. But his dismissal for 35 off 15 balls (1 four, 4 sixes) slowed down things. Galle lined themselves up for the slog overs, but Shadab Khan picked two in the 19th including the wicket of Seifert for 44 (38 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) and Pathirana took three in the final over to cut short their innings.

Scores: Galle Marvels 138 (19.5) (Tim Seiffert 44, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 35, Dunith Wellalage 2/30, Shadab Khan 2/20, Matheesha Pathirana 4/20)

Colombo Strikers 142-3 (18.2) (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 23, Muhammad Waseem 50, Glenn Phillips 31*)