Dasun Shanaka (46) and Angelo Mathews (37) used their maximum effort during newly introduced super blast two overs by adding 44 runs as Kandy Falcons recorded 6 wickets win with 16 balls to spare against Dambulla Sixes in the opening game of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Kandy Falcons chasing a target of 180 opener Dinesh Chandimal made good start scoring 40-ball 65 with 6 fours and 3 sixes while two experienced all rounders Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews made an unbeaten 72 runs fifth wicket stand which guided them to their win in 17.2 overs. Shanaka who took 3 for 29 earlier scored sparking knock of 15 ball 46 with 3 fours and 5 sixes while Mathews played a good supporting role to add 37 in 20 balls with 5 fours and a six using advantage of the super blast overs and the pair added 23 runs at super blast first over bowled by Mustafizur Rahman while they scored 21 runs off Nuwan Thushara’s in the second super blast over. Dasun Shanaka was named Man of the Match.
Kandy Falcons’ paceman Dasun Shanaka took 3 for 20 in action. (pix courtesy SLC)
Dambulla Sixes invited to bat first but their top order was struggling 25 for 4 wickets as Dasun Shanaka who open the innings for Kandy Falcons did the early damage in his first three overs spell having three wickets including two wickets in his second over.
However Mark Chapman the New Zealander together with 21-year-old Chamindu Wickramasinghe repaired the innings and the pair added remarkable unbroken 154 runs fifth wicket stand which guided them to get 179 for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Chapman scored 91 in 61 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes while Chamindu Wickramasinghe the former National under 19 all rounder played an aggressive innings scoring unbeaten 62 in 42 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes to entertain Pallekele spectators.
Two left handers Mark Chapman and young Chamindu Wickrmasinghe batted under pressure after loosing first fours wickets within just five overs but they controlled the Kandy bowlers including Dushmantha Chameera, Mohammed Hasnain and Wanindu Hasaranga. Both batsmen completed well-complied fifties put more pressure on Kandy. Chapman was leading the way reaching his fifty in 43 balls well-supported by Chamindu Wickramasinghe who made a 36-ball fifty.
Dasun Shanaka was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 20 in his 4 over spell while skipper Wanindu Hasaranga finished wicket less four over spell given away 32 runs.
Chief scores
Dambulla Sixes 179/4 in 20 overs (Danishka Gunatilleka 11, Mark Chapman 91*, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 62*, Dasun Shanaka 3/20, Mohammed Hasnain 1/53)
Kandy Falcons 183/4 in 17.2 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 65, Kamindu Mendis 27,Angelo Mathews 37*, Dasun Shanaka 46*, Nuwan Thushara 1/35, Mustafizur Rahman 1/44, Akila Dhananjaya 1/29, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 1/31)
Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Pallekele
