An emphatic win by the Sri Lankan Lions over the Napa Kings as they book their places alongside Sher-e-Punjab in the finals of ECS Cyprus, Encore 2024.
They have simply been the better team in this semi-finals and have completely outplayed their opponents, Napa Kings who needed to chase down a big total of 163 to win this one.
The run chase started off in electric manner as Gurdip Sharma smashed Raiz for 26 runs in the first over and gave the impression that the Napa Kings were up for it, it was definitely game on at that stage. But, post that, the brakes were applied and they just could not get the big hits that were needed to challenge this kind of a total.
The Sri Lankan Lions' bowlers were smart and clinical in their execution using the wide line to very good effect. They frustrated the batters by not offering them anything in the hitting arc and then eventually got the better of them. The likes of Ali Khan, Gurdip Sharma did look good for a bried period but it was Chamal Sadun who provided the crucial breakthroughs for the Lions and in a way sealed the match through the middle overs with his 3 wickets.
It was too much to do for the lower order and they just dawdled around towards the end as the bowlers kept on hitting good areas and taking regular wickets. Eventually, it turned to be a huge deficit and the Sri Lankan Lions have coasted through to the finals when they will take on Sher-e-Punjab in an attempt to defend their title.
10
overs
115/7score
1wd
1
1
0
1
0
0
runs
Kashif Pervez*
17(8)
Sanaullah Safi
4(8)
Kasun Sandaru
0/4
9.6 Kasun Sandaru to Kashif Pervaiz, steps out. It is a full toss but Pervaiz's swinging blade has failed to make a connection with the ball. That's it! Sri Lankan Lions win and a place in the finals is theirs!
9.5 Kasun Sandaru to Kashif Pervaiz, the batter shuffles across to the leg side. Sandaru follows him up with a yorker. Pervaiz cannot put it away.
9.4 Kasun Sandaru to Sanaullah Safi, driven down to wide long off and they jog a single.
9.3 Kasun Sandaru to Sanaullah Safi, angled across the right hander, who swings hard and makes no connection.
9.2 Kasun Sandaru to Kashif Pervaiz, slower ball. IT HAS BEEN SENT MILES IN THE AIR.... DROPPED! Sadun ran in from deep midwicket, got two hands to it and spilled it.
9.1 Kasun Sandaru to Sanaullah Safi, switches to around the wicket. LOW FULL TOSS! Safi whips it away to deep midwicket and runs a single.
9.1 Kasun Sandaru to Sanaullah Safi, WAYWARD START! Down the leg side. Wide called.