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What a humdinger this turned out to be. Babar Azam scored a sensational century but it required some lusty blows from Mohammad Nawaz take the Colombo Strikers over the finish line. Like always, it was a pleasure bringing all the live updates from this game. Keep following Sportskeeda for all the latest sporting action. For now this is myself (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentary and good mate Pradeep.
Niroshan Dickwella [Colombo Strikers captain]: Yeah first of all I was very impressed with the performance of the boys. We made a collective decision to field. At this ground, I don't think any team did good because of the tricky outfield. We didn't start well actually. Nothing, I have a split web when I was keeping. Still I managed to keep 20 overs because I don't want to leave my teammates and go off the field. As a team we have done very well throughout the tournament and thankfully we won today. Shamsi is a world-class bowler and was making this difficult. We have room to improve.
Dasun Shanaka [Galle Titans captain]: Great game of cricket, we got a good start and didn't capitalize on it, if we look back, it was a 200 wicket and we were right there at the start but didn't get to it. We could've changed the team, but we backed the players. Fielding in particular was disappointing, we let go of few chances and runs as well, but credit to Babar and Pathum with the way they batted and took the game away.
Babar Azam is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: The wicket was very good, we planned we will see off first six overs and later on, tried to match the run-rate and worked out for us. I thought 190 was good, our bowlers pulled things back nicely in the middle overs and when we came into bat, we started off well. At the back of my mind, try to build partnership, bat deep and win it for the team.
Colombo Strikers won by 7 wickets (with one delivery to spare)
What a match. What a thrilling match and in the end, it was the Colombo Strikers who returns triumphant. It almost looked dead and buried during the final over but Mohammad Nawaz struck some breezy flows to take his side over the finish line. A magnificent century from Babar Azam was the highlight of the day and the night will definitely belong to the Pakistan captain.
It was a breathtaking knock and some of the shots oozed class and confidence. Both the openers Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam came out with a positive frame of mind. They had to make full use of the powerplay as they were chasing a huge score. Nissanka in particular blazed away in the powerplay but Babar wasn't far off either.
It was delectable strokeplay and they definitely took a leaf out of the Galle Titans opening duo. They batted quite brilliantly and went on to share a 111-run stand which laid the foundation for the late-order blitz. Despite the opening wicket, Babar continued the charge. Unlike other days, he looked positive right from the outset and looked to clear the fence.
He batted with authority and smashed 104 off 59 deliveries, an innings which was studded with 8 fours and 5 sixes. They were coasting along pretty easy and with 32 required off the last 4 overs, they looked like getting it at a canter. However, some good overs from Tabraiz Shamsi and Richard Ngarava meant that the match went down to the wire. Babar Azam was dismissed on the first delivery of the final over but Mohammad Nawaz ensured that the Strikers reached the target with a delivery to spare
Mohammad Nawaz takes the Colombo Strikers over the finish line and he has justified his promotion in the batting order. Excellent effort as the Strikers win by 7 wickets. Truly special run chase which was largely possible due to the brilliance of Babar Azam who scored a brilliant century.
19.5 Kasun Rajitha to Mohammad Nawaz, FOUR! ALL OVER! Nawaz takes off for the celebration as his team mates run in and congratulate him. What a game this turned out to be in the end. That was poor from Rajitha, two deliveries he faltered and ended up on the losing side. Back of a length on the leg-stump, Nawaz absolutely clubbed it to deep mid-wicket, runs away to seal the deal.
Rajitha is under immense pressure now. 4 required off 2 balls.
19.4 Kasun Rajitha to Mohammad Nawaz, SIX! BAM! Rajitha, what have you done? Full toss and outside the off-stump, Nawaz swings and lifts it all the way over extra-cover and goes all the way over for a maximum. Strikers are right back in it now!
19.3 Kasun Rajitha to Mohammad Nawaz, OH! Good stop from the extra-cover fielder, that was running away as it was struck nicely. Full and outside the off-stump, Nawaz thrashes it away and they scamper back for the brace again, good running in the end! There's a direct-hit but Karunaratne is well in!
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Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
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