Right then, that's it from this game as Kandy Falcons wins this by 54 runs against Dambulla Sixers and stays in the race to qualify for the next round. The action continues at the Lanks Premier League, 2024 as we have the second game of the doubleheader lined up. The Colombo Strikers will take on Galle Marvels in Match 19 of the tournament. That game is about to start in a while and all you need to do is switch tabs and you'll get all the updates from that game. Until then, take care and cheers!

The victorious skipper of Kandy Falcons, Wanindu Hasaranga IS ALSO THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He is up for a quick chat and says it was a good toss to lose on this kind of wicket. Adds that the finishers and the top order did well. Reckons that the spinners should vary their pace and things will work for them on such a track. Mentions that this was a big game for them and he is happy that they won by a big margin.

Mohammad Nabi, the captain of Dambulla Sixers, acknowledges the advantage of winning the toss and expresses disappointment with the bowling performance. He states that despite their efforts to restrict the score, the bowlers failed to adapt to the conditions, bowling too full and allowing a high total. Praises Dushan Hemantha for his exceptional spell, taking three wickets and conceding less than 15 runs in four overs. However, Nabi highlights that the lackluster performance of the other bowlers contributed to the large total posted by the Kandy Falcons.

The presentation...

Earlier in the day, it was all about some intent and a wide range of strokeplay aided by an ordinary bowling performance that helped Kandy Falcons post 222 on board. Dambulla Sixers leaked boundaries for fun and they were smoked for more sixes than fours. The side leaked 79 runs in the last 5 overs and its body language was reflecting disappointment. The batting from Kandy was spot on with a lot of batters cashing in. Andre Fletcher smashed 60 off 34 while Angelo Mathews hit 44 off 23 but the star of the show was Kamindu Mendis as he demolished the bowling unit of Dambulla by scoring 51 off just 24 balls. Dushan Hemantha was the only one for the Sixers who stood tall with figures of 3/14 after 4 overs. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Bowling from the Falcons was decent overall as they kept things tight and the best thing they did was taking wickets at regular intervals. Wanindu Hasaranga took 4 for 35 while Dasun Shanaka took 3 for 29. The bowlers did a superb job with the ball to win the game but those lusty blows from Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Dushan Hemantha right at the end would have dealt some blow to the NRR and it is going down the wire in the last game all on the NRR.

Chasing down a massive total, Dambulla Sixers weren't off to the best of starts as the side lost 3 for 47 inside the Powerplay. A positive approach from Kusal Perera kept things moving despite the fall of wickets for Dambulla Sixers. Kusal Perera and Mark Chapman knitted a brilliant partnership of 40 from 27 but Mark Chapman departed to a stunner from Wanindu Hasaranga. With a mountain to climb, there was no option other than to go home or go big for the batters of Dambulla Sixers. Kusal Perera played a brilliant knock of 74 off 40 deliveries. There were contributions from the other batters as well but those weren't enough to take the side closer to the target set by the Falcons.

On a day where nothing other than a victory would have kept them in the competition, Kandy Falcons have delivered in style. They now climb above Dambulla Sixers in the points table and give themselves a good chance to go through to the next round. Dambulla though have things in their own hands as if they win their final league game by some handy margin, they can climb back above Kandy Falcons.

Who walks out next? It is going to be Dilshan Madushanka.

Dushan Hemantha walks out next to bat.