Sixers vs Colombo, 20th Match at Colombo, LPL, Jul 16 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And with that we're done for the night and we're done with the group stages. We'll be back again on Thursday for a play-off double header. First up will be Qualifier 1 between Galle and Jaffna, followed by the Eliminator between Colombo and Kandy. Be sure to join us for that, but until then it's a goodbye from us!

Mohammed Nabi, the Dambulla skipper, is adjudged Player of the Match for his 40 off 33 that kept his side in the game, and then his figures of 1 for 11 in four overs: "It was a tough game and a tricky pitch, we tried our best to put a big score on the board but early wickets damaged us. Still we had a small partnership in the middle. I think if I was around for the last four overs, it could have been a different situation in the game. [challenge of the surface?] You have to take a little bit of time to get set, and wait for the bad ball. Just needed to play simple cricket, watch the ball - when a legspinner is bowling watch out for the googly and flipper - and play it. [47 to defend?] Yeah we just wanted to go ahead and attack, bowl stump to stump and look to pick up early wickets. [Thoughts on LPL] It's a good tournament, and I really enjoyed it."

Thisara Perera: "We knew that because of the wicket behaviour it's not easy to play, that's why I told my boys to "hang on, hang on, hang on" but you know it's not working for us, but it's okay it happens in cricket. We'll come back strongly. As a bowling unit we've done really well, 127 is easy to chase. If we click and execute our batting plan, we'll definitely be the winning side."

Time for the post-match presentation...

Dinesh Asanka: "If Dambulla has scored that one run, they may be playing in the 1st qualifier. " --- Absolutely they'll be ruing that final over against Galle.

This result now means Galle Marvels and Jaffna Kings are through to Qualifier 1, while Colombo Strikers and Kandy Falcons will square off in the Eliminator. Dambulla are eliminated but they leave with their heads held high.

10.50pm Colombo will rue some really sloppy strokeplay that bungled this chase, especially after an outstanding performance with the ball and in the field. Dambulla though showed impressive fight, as well some outstanding work in the field to make Colombo's life as difficult as possible. In fact, that 28-run margin of victory might have been much less - or non-existant - if not for the several runs saved in the field.

DaWolf: "Perera needs to completely hog the strike now. Boundaries or dots. Singles 5th or 6th balls of the over. 3 boundaries an over needed..."

29 needed from 12 and Dambulla turn to Pradeep.

129 is the lowest total defended in the LPL. 37 needed from 18, and here's Thushara.

In walks Binura. He starred with the ball, can he hang around and see Colombo home?

Amit: "Checking in after a while… heading towards a fab low scoring thriller.. but is Dushan Hemantha injured? He hasn't bowled despite doing so well on the Colombo leg" --- Here he is. Reckon he was not brought in earlier as it's been two left-handers out there for a while.

39 needed off 24, one more Power Blast over to come. How big of an inroad can Colombo make here?

Aaz7. 23: "Any chance of dambulla going to playoffs from now" --- Nope, that was done and dusted the moment Colombo crossed the 47-run threshold.

Strategic timeout

And here's a strange one, Nuwanidu Fernando to bowl his part-time offbreaks. Probably because it's two left handers at the crease. Around the wicket.

Power Blast overs coming up, you sense something's gotta give here.