Falcons Triumph with Chandimal’s Half-Century and Shanaka’s Fireworks to Top LPL 2024
Set to chase 180, the Falcons amassed 183/4 in 17.2 overs, courtesy of Dinesh Chandimal’s anchoring half-century, followed by Shanaka’s fireworks.
The home side, however, had a shaky start to the pursuit as they were reduced to 26/2 in 3.1 overs after opener Andre Fletcher (0) and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris (5) perished cheaply.
Following the early hiccup, Chandimal knitted an important partnership for the third wicket with Kamindu Mendis.
The duo added 56 runs to the total until Chamindu Wickramasinghe dismissed Mendis in the 10th over.
Mendis scored 27 off 22 deliveries, laced up with four boundaries.
Chandimal was then involved in yet another crucial partnership for Kandy Falcons when he partnered with Angelo Mathews to add 29 runs for the fourth wicket before finally perishing in the 13th over.
Dinesh Chandimal remained the top-scorer for the Falcons with 40-ball 65 which included six fours and three sixes.
His dismissal did not bother the Falcons as much as Shanaka charged on the Sixers’ bowlers from the word go and steered his side to glory in the 18th over.
Shanaka scored a blistering 46 off 15 deliveries with the help of three fours and five sixes while Mathews offered a supporting hand with a 20-ball 37.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Akila Dhananjaya, Mustafizur Rahman and Nuwan Thushara picked one wicket apiece for the Sixers.
Earlier, after being sent into bat first, Dambulla Sixers registered 179/4 on the board at the back of Mark Chapman’s 91.
The Sixers had a disastrous start to their innings as they lost their top four batters inside five overs with just 25 runs on the board.
Chapman and Wickramasinghe then launched an astounding recovery with an unbeaten 154-run partnership and took their side to a competitive total.
Mark Chapman top-scored for the Sixers with 91 in 61 balls, peppered with eight fours and four sixes while Wickramasinghe made a 42-ball 62, hitting four fours and three sixes.
Dasun Shanaka led the bowling attack for the Falcons with three wickets while Mohammad Hasnain took one.
The six-wicket victory put Kandy Falcons at the top of the LPL 2024 standings while Dambulla Sixers sank to the bottom.
