END OF OVER:20 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | DAT: 176/8 (22 runs required, RR: 8.80)
- Vishwa Lahiru3 (3b)
- Dushmantha Chameera2 (6b)
- Milan Rathnayaka3-0-26-1
- Shahnawaz Dahani4-0-20-2
On that note it's a wrap from us. There's one more day of action in Dambulla before play moves to Kandy. For that, if you're in the area, be sure to make your way to the ground tomorrow as it's free entry for both fixtures in tomorrow's doubleheader. But for now, on behalf of the rest of the team, this is Madushka signing out!
To no one's surprise Kamindu Mendis is Player of the Match:
"I just kept calm and played the field. If I'm in the zone I feel unstoppable. Yes absolutely [this is one of my best T20 knocks]. [The powerblast] is 50-50, bowlers get wickets as well, but batters also get runs. So it's challenging."
Dinesh Chandimal:
"We were outplayed. We could have restricted them to 180, but credit to Kamindu who was awesome in that innings. But these things happen in cricket, and we're playing nonstop. So it's tough for the players, but we need to adjust. I'm feeling much better, but I can play the game with painkillers."
Time then for the post-match presentation...
11.14pm So Colombo go joint top on points after a superlative all round display, one led by their skipper Kamindu Mendis, whose 88* off 39 ripped the game out of Dambulla's reach. Dambulla to their credit put in a good effort in their chase, with 50 from Pavan Rathnayake, 40 from Marques Ackerman and a 28-run cameo from Gulbadin Naib. But it always looked to be a steep ask with a batting line-up that seemed to be on the shorter side. Shahnawaz Dahani's 2 for 20 in his four overs also ensured Dambulla's batters were largely kept in check.