With the Gallants lifting the trophy amidst the fireworks, it's time for us to wrap up our coverage for the night. It has been an absolute honor and pleasure bringing you all the action throughout the season, and we thoroughly enjoyed your company and feedback. Time to say goodbye for now. This is Rashad Mahbub, signing off on behalf of the scorers, co-commentators, and the entire Cricinfo crew. See you all next season. Ayubowan!

Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Galle Gallants, collects the Champions trophy and heads over to the stage where his team and support staff are eagerly waiting. Confetti, pyrotechnics, and fireworks light up the sky as the squad poses and celebrates a glorious conclusion to this fantastic tournament.

Dasun Shanaka: "[Was it a good toss to lose?] We actually wanted to bowl first, so no real difference, you know, batting or bowling. I thought the wicket was a really good one. In that first powerplay, I think we bowled really well, so that was the key, especially starting with Charith. He gave us that cushion by getting those couple of wickets upfront. [Strategy to use Asalanka] Yeah, left-handers, obviously. What I thought going into the back end of the tournament was to change our plan - which is always tricky, but at the same time can give a good reward. It was a gamble, but the coach, myself, and the vice-captain Charith took the gamble, and we succeeded with it. Of course, our unit has been amazing. We had variety within us, plenty of options with the ball, and our top five batters were among the runs. It was a really good team performance. [Good blend of local and international players] Actually, coming into the draft, my target was to bring in experienced players. From the first game, we showed the experience and quality of this team, which was important. And not to forget Sam Harper--a lot of guys had doubts about him, asking who this guy is, but he has been outstanding for the Galle team. Hopefully, he will join us in the coming years as well. [Thoughts on LPL 2026 overall] Year by year, the quality has grown. Special thanks to Sri Lanka Cricket and IPG, with a lot of gratitude towards them. Despite many obstacles, they managed to put this on this year, and the quality has been amazing. The wickets were great, the ground staff did a fantastic job, and all the fans who supported the Galle team and the other teams--thank you very much for coming out today and throughout the tournament. Expect a lot more in the future. Thank you very much to each and every one of you. Thanks to the coaching staff of my team too."

It is now time for the Galle Gallants players and staff to step up and collect their champions' medals.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa: "[Bad luck, Bhanuka] Of course, it has been a tough journey, but praise the Lord for the effort that the boys have done. It was never easy, but still, I'm quite happy with the way that they performed, except for today. [What was the difficulty while batting?] I think credit should go to the bowlers from the Galle Gallants because they executed the plans against our batters. After coming from a defeat against us and facing us again in the finals, they executed all their plans quite brilliantly. So credit should go to them, and I think we were about 20-30 runs short on a final. Brilliant effort by the bowlers from Gallants. [Surface] I mean, of course, we can easily blame the surface once we don't score more than 170-180 in a final, but of course they bowled brilliantly. I don't think we can deny the fact that we didn't bat well as well, but that's how cricket goes. The team who performs well in the finals always rises up to the occasion. [Final thoughts on LPL 2026] It has been a fabulous tournament throughout, and I need to thank IPG and the sports ministry especially. For us in Jaffna, until two days ago, we didn't have owners, but the effort that IPG put in to keep the team together and how the support staff cooperated with the foreign boys - it has been amazing. The LPL is growing every day, so hopefully, we can see a much better tournament next year as well."

The Jaffna Kings players and coaching staff are receiving their runners-up medals now, with the skipper stepping up to collect the cheque on behalf of his team.

Player of the Tournament: Kamil Mishara

Best Sportsmanship Award: Sam Harper

Best Emerging Player of the Tournament: Traveen Mathew

Both team captains are now stepping up to receive the LPL Champions Connection awards. Dasun Shanaka walks up to the podium first, followed by Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

The match referees, umpires, and match officials are now receiving their mementos.

Player of the Match, Charith Asalanka: "[We should be calling you an all-rounder] As you wish. Thank you so much, first of all, and I think it's a great game of cricket. Credit should go to Dasa [Shanaka] for using me as a bowler. [Planning] In qualifier two, Dasa had a plan to start with me, especially with left-handers in their batting lineup. So again today, I went and bowled the first over."

Game Changer of the Match: Eshan Malinga

Most number of dots bowled: Shakib Al Hasan

Best Power Hitter of the Match: Dinura Kalupahana

Longest Six of the Match: Chamindu Wickramasinghe

11:06 pm The Galle Gallants take a lap of honor, applauding the fans and soaking in the crowd's energy as celebrations break out all around. On the other end, it's a heartbreaking moment for the Jaffna Kings, who suffer their first-ever defeat in an LPL final. Stick around, folks. The post-match presentation and player awards are coming up next!

Charith Asalanka: "It's a quite special feeling to win a championship at any time, and it's extra special because this is the first time the Galle team is winning the LPL. I'm really happy right now. [How much have you enjoyed as a team] I think quite a lot, because the management and captain always give us the freedom to express ourselves in the middle, and usually they are not panicking. So it was actually a very enjoyable tournament. [What do you take forward?] I just want my mindset to be free and to keep backing my game at any time. [What do you want to do now, bowl or bat?] Of course, batting!"

Chamika Karunaratne: "I feel very special because it's the first time that I'm winning the LPL. The team is wonderful, and the staff as well. I'm very happy. [Is this a new Chamika?] Yes, I think you are the one who said that, so thank you so much for that. And yes, because I train a lot and put in so much hard work. Especially, I have to thank the coach for giving me the opportunity. I think I did something good for the team. [Any doubts in chasing that down?] No, because actually the wicket is good, though there was a little spin with the ball holding in the pitch. But you know, we have a really good batting lineup, and even if the score was 180, I think we should have chased it."

Sam Harper: "I love batting with him [Rogers]. So yeah, it's been nice to come out to the middle with him over in Sri Lanka, and yeah, that was pretty cool tonight. [Batting form] Oh, thank you. Yeah, credit to these pitches and the conditions, and yeah, everyone at Galle for making it so enjoyable to come be part of this franchise. [Team environment] Any time you can come and play in these conditions in this country, it's an awesome opportunity. So yeah, we both had a ball."

Thomas Rogers: "This is amazing. 21,000 people here watching Dasun get it done there, and the crowd go mental. It's pretty special feeling. I felt a bit like a specialist fielder there. I wasn't really contributing with the bat, so yeah, to contribute in any way is always good. But yeah, what a special feeling! [First time in this part of the world] I've had a great time. I'm looking at one of my best mates over there, Sammy Harper, who's had an unbelievable tournament. So he's been here the whole time, and yeah, he's guided me through, I guess. Watching him bat's been a pleasure. Dasun led us beautifully. He's a lovely guy, and straight away, everyone felt like they had your back, and just wanted to welcome you in and talk some rubbish and have a laugh. Really, it was great fun. Learned a lot."

10:50 pm Defending the lowest first-innings total of this year's LPL, just 123 on the board, the Kings got the ideal start when they removed the in-form Harper in the very first over. With both Harper and Asalanka back in the pavilion inside two overs, the Gallants found themselves in early trouble. However, Kalupahana and Rogers turned the tide, counter-attacking aggressively to keep the fielders and bowlers from settling. Sitting at 51 for 2 after the powerplay, Kalupahana kept the foot on the gas. Shakib eventually broke the 64-run stand by having Rogers caught at deep midwicket for 34, then striking again in the same over to clean up Kalupahana for a swift 31 off 19. Arachchige and Karunaratne then rebuilt, though Karunaratne gave his wicket away on 16 with a catch to short third. In the end, skipper Shanaka alongside Arachchige held their nerve to steer the side home. Fortune truly favored the brave today; from using part-time spinners in the powerplay to their relentless intent with the bat, everything clicked for the Gallants on the big stage. Stick around, folks, as we have plenty of interviews coming your way.

Galle Gallants won by 5 wickets

over the wicket

Free Hit. Around the wicket

around the wicket

Power Blast time. Williams to bowl out. 13 runs needed off 30 balls.

Shakib to bowl out

Kusal Mendis: "[Recovering from injury] Now I think a little bit better. Then I think another three weeks maximum. I think I can play the inter-matches hopefully. Then I play only two games in the Colombo Caps. I think after that our players have played really well in Colombo team. Unlucky the last match, the guys played really well, but other team done really well. [Captaincy of Kamindu Mendis] Yeah, of course he done really very good job after the meet. I think he gave 100% to team everything. Then he look after the bowlers and batters and everything. I think he very good captain. Then I know him very well. He younger. I think under 19 also he kept the captaincy. I think he very good captain. [How the tournament has grown] I think compared to the first year and now sixth year, I think very good improvement. Then crowd wise, I think same like international match, everybody came and support the players. That's what we want. Then in Sri Lanka normally people like cricket, everybody. I'm very happy, and the guys supporting the players and cheering. [Platform for young cricketers] I think this year very young players have performed really well, and every team, everybody done really well. Hopefully, next year also a couple of guys who played really well come to the national squad. I'm very happy, and when I captain, I want to give it to the young players. Then we'll see going forward. [Which team are you supporting today] Last year I'm playing Jaffna. Anyway, I'm supporting both teams."

Dasun Shanaka is in at number 7

Mathew returns