CRICKET
‘Bobby Badshah bad luck leke aye hai’ – Fans react as Jaffna Kings beat Colombo Striker by six wickets with 33 balls to spare in LPL 2023
The 13th game of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 pitted the Colombo Strikers against the reigning champions Jaffna Kings. Notably, the Strikers were led by Babar Azam for this game. They won the toss and elected to bat first. They started well with a 57-run opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam. Nissanka was the first wicket to fall for 36 off 25 including seven boundaries. At the same time, Babar followed his partner shortly with 24 off 21 including two fours and a six.
Lahiru Udara with 29 off 25, including two fours and a six, Mohammad Nawaz with 27 off 20, including three fours and a six, and Chamika Karunaratne with 21 off 18 were the only batters to surpass the 20-run mark as Colombo reached 146/8 in 20 overs. Dishan Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage returned with two wickets each whereas three bowlers – Shoaib Malik, Nuwan Thushara, and Maheesh Theekshana – scalped one wicket each.
Jaffna Kings are placed third on the LPL 2023 standings
In reply, the reigning champions chased the target down in 14.3 overs to complete a dominant victory. The openers completed the majority of the work and Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten at 14 off 8 with three boundaries to take his team home. Earlier opener Nishan Madushanka scored 46 off 32 including three fours and three sixes. His partner Rahmanullah Gurbaz slammed 39 off 21, including three fours and three sixes. Skipper Thisara Perera added a quick-fire 17 off 7, including two fours and a six.
As far as Strikers’ bowling is concerned Pakistan sensation Naseem Shah scalped two whereas both Matheesha Pathirana and Lakshan Sandakan returned with one wicket each. With the win, Jaffna Kings have reached the third position on the LPL 2023 standings with six points, the same as leaders B-Love Kandy and second-placed Dambulla Aura. However, the Kings have played an extra game compared to these two clubs. On the other hand, Babar Azam’s Colombo Strikers are placed fourth with four points, tied with Galle Titans.
Here’s how fans reacted after the game:
My Idolo Zimbu Lost The Match While Being Captain
— Hafeez Tareen (@hafeeztrn) August 8, 2023
Poor captaincy by Babar Azam.
— Ugma Ram (@ugma_ram_) August 8, 2023
Because BABAR wicket lost early 🥲
— awais_khan_ak (@awais_khan_ak) August 8, 2023
Abey kya kachra players daal rakhe Hain team mein, 2-3 players ko chhod kr baaki sb wastage 😡😡😡😡😡
— Mehak (@MehakBA56) August 8, 2023
That's alright. Colombo strikers gonna come back stronger in next game. We knw that 💜
— Hera (@Hera65432) August 8, 2023
Team will Bounch back stronger Insha'Allah
— Rimsha🇵🇰 (@RimshaA15010819) August 8, 2023
Poor performance by middle order and bowling was also not up to the mark.
Practice hard and all the best for next 3 games.
Hope we win next 3 matches— Iqra Hussain (@Iqra_Hussain_ih) August 8, 2023
Bss hype kralo tm logon sy kisi kaam ni ho nalaikon 😤
— Sidra⁵⁶ PCTfan🇵🇰❤️🇵🇸 (@SidBA56lover) August 8, 2023