Colombo Kings stunKandy Tuskers in LPL opener

Isuru Udana starred with the bat and ball as Colombo Kings came back from nowhere to stun Kandy Tuskers in the opening match of the Lanka Premier League, LPL 2020, at Hambantota on Thursday.

Udana’s brilliant unbeaten cameo of 34 from 12 balls lifted Colombo Kings to the Super Over in a tough chase of 220 in the first game of LPL 2020. Needing 20 off the last over, Udana slammed Asela Gunaratne for two sixes to steal 19 off the over, and keep the game alive.

The left-arm seamer then successfully defended a target of 17 despite being hit for a four and a six. The LPL 2020 opener wasn’t short of controversy though, as a delivery down the leg side in Udana’s Super Over was declared as a dot ball instead of a wide.

Earlier, after being dropped off Irfan Pathan in the second over of the chase when he was on five, Colombo Kings opener Dinesh Chandimal made Kandy Tuskers pay heavily with some brutal strokes. Things got worse for the Tuskers when, after having conceded 19 in his second over, Pathan hobbled off the field clutching his hamstring, leaving his LPL 2020 future in doubt.

Chandimal and Laurie Evans got Colombo Kings off to an excellent start in the tough chase, adding 64 in 5.2 overs. The partnership was broken when Evans was caught off a long hop from Asela Gunaratne.

Chandimal continued to smash the ball all around the park. At 131 for 1 in the 13th over, the game was very much on. However, Naveen-ul-Haq, who had dropped two catches, including one of Chandimal, redeemed himself by claiming two in two. He got the massive scalp of Chandimal with a short of the length ball as a ramp shot went straight into the hands of third man.

Chandimal fell for a brilliant 80 from 46 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes. Very next ball, Naveen-ul-Haq sent back Thikshila de Silva for 22. The Colombo Kings lost their way after that in the LPL 2020 opening clash. Skipper Mathews was bowled for 2 and the dangerous Andre Russell perished for 24 from 13 before Udana kept them in the hunt with some fabulous hitting.

Colombo Kings 219 for 7 (Chandimal 80) tied with Kandy Tuskers 219 for 3 (Perera 87, Gurbaz 53)
Super Over Colombo Kings 16 for 1 beat Kandy Tuskers 12 for 0