Dambulla Aura reached the final of the Lankan Premier League (LPL) as in the first qualifier of the season, Shakib al Hasan and Litton Das’s team Galle Titans were defeated by 6 wickets, thanks to Dambulla’s Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera.
Galle Titans led by Dasun Shanaka went into bat at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Thursday. Galle were all out after scoring 146 runs in the allotted 20 overs.
Galle’s opener Lasith Croospulle played a great innings of 80 runs off 61 balls. The 24-year-old cricketer hit seven fours. But no one else got a run with the bat. Shakib scored the second highest 19 runs for the team.
Litton again failed to impress as he was out 8.
Chasing an under-par 147 for victory, the Aura had a sedate start with Avishka Fernando falling early after striking a few boundaries.
It appeared to be quite close at the halfway point, but with Mendis and Perera in the starting lineup, the Titans swiftly lost control of the situation. They were never truly under pressure because they were able to find limits at will and complete the strike.
Both Mendis and Perera collapsing right at the very end caused some drama, but everything turned out well because they successfully crossed the finish line.
Mendis fell just 1 short of his fifty while Perera fell for a 39-ball 53. The Titans didn't help themselves with their fielding, with a below-par score to defend, they had to be at the top of their game and they weren't.
Shanaka said Shakib and others didn’t click on the wickets accordingly and that’s cost them the match.
“We had our chances to score 160-170 but we gave our wickets at crucial times. Croospulle was going from one end but myself, Shakib and Najib are guys that have to click on this wicket but we didnt. It was a tough ask, we had our five bowlers and I wanted to go with them,” Shanaka said after the match.
Shakib and Litton have to play the second qualifier now either with B-Love Kandy or Jaffna Kings.
