Player of the Match
Player of the Match

END OF OVER:
20 | 6 Runs | GAG: 154/8 (12 runs required, RR: 7.70)

  • Vijayakanth Viyaskanth3 (4b)
  • Dasun Shanaka57 (38b)
  • Garuka Sanketh3-0-27-0
  • Asitha Fernando4-0-33-2

That's it from this game but don't go too far away because the second match of today's double-header is about to get underway. It's time for me, Rvell Zahid, to say goodbye on behalf of Chetan Kumar. Thank you for your company!

Angelo Mathews, Kandy Royals Captain: That was a brilliant game of cricket. It was one heck of a game. The bowlers really rescued us today. The batting was a little bit shaky, and we kept losing wickets at crucial times. At the halfway stage, with 166 on the board, we thought we were about 20 runs short. But the bowlers came out and delivered. Special mention to Moeen Ali for the way he batted and got us to a decent score. The way he bowled as well, picking up those crucial wickets, was outstanding. Wanindu was once again absolutely brilliant and led the side well in my absence. All the bowlers, Garuka and Sanketh, did a fantastic job. It was very tough on Sanketh because in the first game he played, he leaked a few runs and bowled quite a few no-balls and he knew we lost that game. But to come back the way he did, bowling to Dasun Shanaka after he had scored a fifty and was firing on all cylinders and then to nail those yorkers at the end, was a brilliant effort. Asitha Fernando also responded brilliantly. Well done to everyone

Galle remain at the top of the table despite their second defeat while Kandy climb to third with four points. They are building good momentum and have the depth to turn things around at any stage of the game. Kandy posted 165 thanks to a late onslaught and a match-defining partnership between Moeen Ali and captain Angelo Mathews. Akif Javed was outstanding with his searing pace while the rest of the bowling unit did well to restrict Kandy to 166. In reply, Galle endured a similar start, losing three wickets in the powerplay and struggling to keep up with the required rate. Chamika Karunaratne then hauled his side back into contention with a quickfire fifty before Dasun Shanaka almost took the game away with a majestic half-century. However, he lost his partners during the death overs and was left stranded for the final few deliveries. That said, full credit must go to Fernando and Sanketh, who bowled two pitch-perfect overs at the death and delivered when it mattered most

19.6
1
Sanketh to Viyaskanth, 1 run, Another magnificent yorker outside off. Toe-ended straight back down the ground. This is what T20 franchise cricket is all about! A big smile on the young pacer's face as he has shown remarkable temperament, control, and accuracy with his yorkers, keeping one of the best in the business quiet. Arms aloft in celebration, roaring in jubilation, and applauded by Hasaranga. What a nerve-wracking, high-intensity affair, ending on a delightful note for Kandy. Sanketh absorbed the pressure like a seasoned professional and repaid his captain's faith. Galle fought hard until the very end but Kandy just had enough in the tank to keep them short of the target
19.5
1
Sanketh to Shanaka, 1 run, Fantastic yorker outside off and he is so pumped up, screams yes! All Shanaka can do is squeeze it out to cover, like the energy, passion and energy that Sanketh is bringing to the fore

Gallants 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st10Mehidy Hasan MirazSB Harper
2nd2SB HarperD Kalupahana
3rd16SB HarperKIC Asalanka
4th23C KarunaratneKIC Asalanka
5th3C KarunaratneSSD Arachchige
6th73MD ShanakaC Karunaratne
7th11Mohammad Nawaz (3)MD Shanaka
8th8MD ShanakaKTH Ratnayake
9th8MD ShanakaV Viyaskanth