Lanka Premier League 2021, Eliminator: Dambulla Giants advance, knock over Colombo Stars

Dambulla Giants progressed to Qualifier 2 of the Lanka Premier League 2021 after beating Colombo Stars by six wickets in the Eliminator, in Hambantota. They restricted the Stars to 145/6 and reached the target with seven balls to spare.

The Stars lost both Kusal Perera (3) and Tom Banton (13) inside Powerplay after opting to bat. Pathum Nissanka (42) and Dhananjaya de Silva (15) steadied the ship, adding 42 for the third wicket before the latter was cleaned up by Imran Tahir (2-25) in the 10th over.

Angelo Mathews scored an unbeaten 34-ball 50, with four fours and two sixes. However, Seekkuge Prasanna (7 in 11 balls) and Dinesh Chandimal (2) failed to provide support, though Karim Janat slammed 11 not out in three balls.

Barring Sachitha Jayathilake, all four Giants bowlers went for less than eight an over. Nuwan Pradeep and Tahir took two wickets apiece, while Chamika Karunaratne returned 1-31.

The Giants got off to a poor start, losing Niroshan Dickwella to Dushmantha Chameera (1-24) on the opening ball of the innings. But Phil Salt (32 in 21) kept their side in the hunt, and Janith Liyanage (56* in 47) carried the momentum. The latter was ably assisted by Najibullah Zadran (34 in 28) as they reached the target in the penultimate over.

Brief scores: Dambulla Giants 145/6 in 20 overs (Mathews 50*; Pradeep 2-23) lost to Colombo Stars 146/4 in 18.5 overs (Liyanage 56*; Chameera 1-24) by 6 wickets with 7 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Janith Liyanage.