Shadab Khan shines with hat-trick for Colombo Strikers against Kandy Falcons on Lanka Premier League debut
Pakistan bowler Shadab Khan was on fire as he got a hat-trick for the Colombo Strikers against the Kandy Falcons in match number 3 of the Lanka Premier League. The hat-trick came in the 14th over when the legbreak bowler first got rid of Wanindu Hasaranga off the fourth ball.
The Kandy Falcons captain wanted to hit the ball out of the park, but it went straight into the hands of Muhammad Waseem, who came charging in from long-off to complete the catch.
The next to be dismissed was Agha Salman. Khan bowled a looped-up delivery, which the right-hand batter failed to defend, and it went on to hit the stumps. The Colombo Strikers bowler then bowled a googly to get the wicket of Pavan Rathnayak. The right-handed batter was trapped in front of the wickets as Shadab Khan completed his hat-trick.
Shadab Khan took four wickets and conceded only 22 runs as he helped the Colombo Strikers win the match by a margin of 51 runs. He also scored 20 runs with the bat and was also given the Player-of-the-Match award for his contribution.
Sadeera Samarawickrama helped the Colombo Strikers put a decent total on the board
The Kandy Falcons won the toss and asked the Colombo Strikers to bat first. Sadeera Samarawickrama was the highest scorer for the Strikers. He hit seven fours and a six in his inning of 48 runs off 26 balls. Captain Thisara Perera (38) and Muhammad Waseem (32) also made decent contributions, as the Colombo Strikers scored 198 runs in their 20 overs.
In response, Dinesh Chandimal (38) and Andre Fletcher (24) started well for the Kandy, but they soon lost their momentum. Dunith Wellalage was brilliant, as he picked up four wickets and conceded only 20 runs. Then, it was the Shadab Khan show, as the Pakistani spinner took a hat-trick and helped the Colombo Strikers start off on a winning note.