Tuskers vs Gladiators, 6th Match at Hambantota, LPL, Nov 30 2020 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's it from us tonight! Come back tomorrow for another LPL doubleheader. I'm Peter Della Penna. Take care!

Man of the Match Brendan Taylor: "I had a lot of energy from lying down for five days [in quarantine]. I generally try to give myself a few balls and gauge where the field is at [before trying a reverse sweep] but with point up and slip I thought I'd try it first ball. It worked well today. My power game was a bit off today so tried to find other ways to nudge it around. The pitch definitely favors the batters but with the skills our bowlers have I think we can get some momentum."

Kandy Tuskers captain Kusal Perera: "Badly we needed a win. We set a very good plan and executed it. Brendan Taylor and Kusal Mendis they have a lot of experience in T20 games and they are key players for the Kandy Tuskers."

Galle Gladiators captain Shahid Afridi: "In the first few games we were struggling to bowl in the right areas with fast bowlers so we tried extra spinners today. I think that total was chaseable, but the main thing was keeping wickets in hand. We didn't. We must give credit to these guys as well, they played very well. But in the batting, I was expecting more and keeping wickets in hand is important."

11.40 pm The war of words between Amir and Naveen continues as the handshake, or should I say elbow bump, line continues. Some spice to keep in mind for a future encounter. Afridi has a scowl at Naveen during the post-match line as well. Anyway, Tuskers get off the mark with a solid win as Kusal Mendis works his magic with some good bowling changes standing in for the injured Kusal Perera, who never took the field after getting pinged on the thigh with a painful delivery first innings. Mendis' 49 was buttressed by Taylor's unbeaten 51 to make sure the Tuskers had enough to defend in the chase. Gunathilaka with a valiant effort but losing Afridi for a golden duck was a crushing blow.

TV speed gun is broken. Last ball was an offcutter clocked at "138 kph". Naveen's stock ball at max pace isn't anywhere near there.

Amir and Naveen had a feisty war of words last over. Umpires needed to step in to cool things down.

35 off 6 balls. Yes Gladiators fans... Lloyd Christmas is telling you there's a chance.

Death bowling yorker masterclass in progress from Nuwan Pradeep.

Shiraz was excellent at the death in the first innings but Naveen and Pradeep are matching him and then some now.