‘Isme Babar Azam ka kya contribution hai’ – Fans react as Colombo Strikers defeat B-Love kandy in thrilling contest by 9 runs in LPL 2023

Colombo Strikers and B-Love Kandy clashed against each other in the 18th match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 14. Colombo produced a magnificent all-round performance as they defeated Kandy by 9 runs.

Talking about the match, the Strikers won the toss and opted to bat first. However, they didn’t have a great start as they lost Babar Azam and Lahiru Udara on just 28 runs. But Pathum Nissanka and Nipun Dhananjaya steadied the ship and stitched a brilliant 69-run stand for the 3rd wicket.

Nissanka smashed a magnificent half-century and scored 51 runs which included 4 fours and 1 six while Dhananjaya played a 40-run knock consisting of 1 four and 3 sixes. In the end, Chamika Karunaratne and Nuwanidu Fernando contributed some crucial runs and helped the team to achieve a fighting total of 169 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga was brilliant with the ball as he picked up 2 wickets and conceded only 21 runs in his 4 overs quota.

Brilliant bowling performance by Colombo Strikers

Chasing the target, Kandy also had a horrible start as their top-order batters disappointed the fans with a poor batting performance. Hasaranga, who was brilliant with the ball, showed what he can do with his bat as he scored 41 runs off just 21 deliveries which included 6 fours and 1 six but went back to the pavilion in the 11th over.

Ashen Bandara and Asif Ali tried their best but couldn’t help the team to win the match as in the end Colombo’s bowlers displayed an outstanding bowling display and restricted Kandy on just 160 runs. Matheesha Pathirana was the star bowler for Colombo as he picked up 2 wickets and conceded only 32 runs in 4 overs.

Nissanka was named Player of the Match for his brilliant batting performance and he also talked about his knock in the post-match interview. “Learned a lot alongside Babar. Did not have any big plans even after Babar got out, just went with the flow. Feel we were 15-20 short.” Nissanka said after the match.

Here’s how fans reacted: