Lanka Premier League: Galle Gallants undone by Dambulla Sixers

Reeza Hendricks top-scored with an unbeaten 64

Visuals Credit: SLC 

By M. Shamil Amit

Unbeaten Galle Gallants met their Waterloo when they suffered a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Dambulla Sixers in the eighth match of the Lanka Premier League T20 tournament played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday.

Chasing a target of 179, Dambulla Sixers were guided to victory by Reeza Hendricks, who struck an unbeaten match-winning 64 off 37 deliveries, including nine boundaries and a six.

Hendricks was involved in three valuable partnerships. He first added 36 runs for the third wicket with Pavan Ratnayake before sharing a 69-run stand for the fourth wicket with Marques Ackerman.

He then combined with Gulbadin Naib in an unbroken 41-run partnership for the fifth wicket, paving the way for Dambulla Sixers to record their second win of the tournament.

Earlier, Galle Gallants, invited to take first lease of the wicket, suffered an early setback when they lost their first wicket in the third over with only 14 runs on the board.

Sam Harper and Charith Asalanka then steadied the innings, taking the total past the 50-run mark in 28 balls. The pair also completed their 50-run partnership for the second wicket in 30 deliveries.

Right-arm pacer Gulbadin Naib made the breakthrough for Dambulla Sixers by dismissing Harper for a brisk 49 off 25 balls. Harper and Asalanka had added 64 runs for the second wicket.

Chamika Karunaratne later top-scored with 45 off 30 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes. He added 43 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Dasun Shanaka as Galle Gallants finished on 178 for eight from their allotted 20 overs.

Two matches are scheduled to be played in Dambulla today. Colombo Kaps will meet Kandy Royals at 3.00 p.m., while Galle Gallants will take on Jaffna Kings at 7.30 p.m.