The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
So that'll be all from this contest as the curtains come down on the round-robin phase of the Lanka Premier League 2023. The playoffs will commence on Thursday, August 17, with the first Qualifier and the Eliminator at this very venue. Make sure you catch up on those games right here on Sportskeeda while keeping yourselves updated with all the other cricketing news and action from around the world on this very platform. For the moment, this is the duo of Bala and Sooryanarayanan taking your leave. Thank you so much for tuning in today. Good night and see you around soon. Take care!
The Galle Titans have had the perfect game to qualify for the playoffs. Add a berth in Qualifier 1 to go with it and there couldn't be a more confident outfit heading into the last phase of the tournament. We have our playoff draw ready now - Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans in Qualifier 1 with the winner qualifying for the final, and B-Love Kandy vs Jaffna Kings in the Eliminator with the winner facing the loser of Qualifier 1.
Alas for Colombo Strikers, it ends here. They had their moments in the tournament but an abject display today has sent them tumbling out of the competition. They will look to work on their weaknesses and bounce back next year, while also taking the positives forward.
Dasun Shanaka (Galle Titans captain): We had a downfall in between but we had the belief that we're a good team. I'm happy we're moving in the right direction. I expected a bit of turn here and that's why as a team we chose to bowl first. The pitch played a part as well and our bowlers executed really well from the start. All (of them) were spot on today. (What is working for Lahiru Kumara?) A slight change in his wrist position - he has been doing this since the World Cup Qualifiers. He has found it very effective in these conditions. He has played a lot of cricket in the last few years and has grown into a confident and experienced cricketer. (On the team bonding) Shakib is with us. Him and Litton, we have played a lot of cricket with each other. There is enough experience in the camp with Najibullah Zadran as well. We are a good team. Of course we've got a couple of games to go. Hopefully we can cross the line.
Chamika Karunaratne (Colombo Strikers captain): I thought them winning the toss was good since it was a new wicket. But they bowled really well. It turned and we didn't expect that. Even Iftikhar was saying we had to go after the leg-spinner since after two more overs the fast-bowlers were going to come. We had to get the runs - I thought it was in my slot but it kept low. I think 130-140 would have been a good score. But unfortunately...they bowled really well that's the main thing. And the wicket was really slow. (On the tournament) It was really good, even better than the last few years. People are coming out and supporting all the five teams. It was very good for the players as well. And I wish all the teams best of luck.
Tabraiz Shamsi (Player of the Match): (About the celebration, dialling on his shoe) Next time, just call me on the shoe. It's a little bit of fun, the umpires check up with the TV umpire often, that's just me checking it up with the third umpire (chuckles). Personally, I take a lot of pride in my performance. They have signed me up for that. I was a bit rusty, I have not played cricket for four months. Finally getting into my groove now. Glad that I could delivery at the business end of the tournament. The surface was helpful, but you still have to ball in the right areas. I was using my variations, varying the pace and changing the line a bit. A lot of credit to the fast bowlers. They bowled well in this game and the last. Lahiru Kumara took two wickets in both games. (Kasun) Rajitha, other spinners and rest of the unit, all bowled well. Dedicate this to my wife and my son who is a bit ill at the moment.
Match Summary: Galle Titans beat Colombo Strikers by 8 wickets to finish second on the points table.
They came, they saw and they absolutely annihilated the Colombo Strikers today. It was that kind of day for the Strikers and an equally brilliant one for the Galle Titans who have not just blanked the Strikers, but have also barged into the top-two to secure their spot in Qualifier 1. Two bites at the cherry to make the final - oh they'll be chuffed to bits alright!
And they've richly deserved it as well given how professional they were with the ball in hand. That said, it wasn't a walk in the park as far as the chase was concerned if the start was anything to go by - Chamika Karunaratne unleashed his own set of spinners and a couple of early wickets certainly had the Titans in a spot of bother. Shakib Al Hasan was also adjudged LBW before he got it overturned successfully with a review having got some glove on it. The target might have been a mere 75 but the Titans very clearly wanted to get the job done in 11.1 overs to finish second.
Shakib was happy to take the attacking route though, as was Lasith Croospulle even if he looked a little iffy on a couple of occasions. A couple of tough chances went down, although one has to mention that absolute scorcher from Nuwanidu Fernando that sent Litton Das on his way back. But despite their own spinners posing questions aplenty and the body language suggesting that they were up for a fight, the Strikers were always fighting a lost battle.
The set of deliveries Matheesha Pathirana sent down aptly summed up the Strikers' misery today. It got over in a flash with Pathirana losing his line terribly and also walking off the field with some evident discomfort. A sorry end to the Strikers' campaign and they'll have to try again next year. Oh, the Jaffna Kings have also qualified officially and we have our playoff lineup ready and set now. Stick around for the presentation...
And there's a berth in the top two for Galle Titans! The reactions in the dugout tell you all you need to know - they've been nothing short of clinical today and they've richly deserved this. Meanwhile, Pathirana is walking off the field with a bit of assistance - let's hope he has not hurt himself here. But alas, this is where it ends for the Colombo Strikers.
8.3 Matheesha Pathirana to Shakib Al Hasan, taps it to covers and gets through for a single. The Titans win the game and move up to the second place! Quite an eventful chase, but they have the target ticked
And with that, the scores are level.
8.3 Matheesha Pathirana to Lasith Croospulle, oh, he is struggling here! Fires one down the leg-side once again. The keeper gets a glove on it. Just a single required now
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R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
