Colombo need 145, Dambulla six wickets

By M. Shamil Amit

The National Super League cricket tournament final between Colombo and Dambulla was left at an interesting stage when play ended on day three at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Colombo set a target of 299 runs for victory ended day three with a score of 154 for 4 needing a further 145 runs to achieve an outright win. Dhananjaya Lakshan who made a top knock of 84 spearheaded Colombo’s run chase by associating in two partnerships of 65 runs for the second wicket with Nuwanidu Fernando and 53 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Charith Asalanka

The morning session of play on day three had Dambulla resuming from their overnight score of 107 for 6 losing wickets at regular intervals while Akila Dananjaya held on.

Dananjaya though missing out on partners succeeded reaching his half ton and remained unbeaten on 53 after Dambulla was bowled out for 222 setting Colombo a target of 299 runs.

Dambulla having already taken a first inning lead are assured of the title if the match ends in draw but will no doubt aim to bowl out their opponents when play gets underway on the final day today.

Scores:

Dambulla 222 for 9 declared (Sonal Dinusha 51, Anjala Bandara 40, Pavan Ratnayake 39, Vishad Randika 23: Prabath Jayasuriya 4/54) and (107/6 overnight) 222 (Nishan Madushka 43, Anjala Bandara 32, Vishad Randika 21, Akila Dananjaya 53 n.o.: Chamod Battage 4/21, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/16, Pramod Madushan 2/48)

Colombo 146 (Sharujan Shanmuganathan 44, Charith Asalanka 27, Kavija Gamage 25: Kavindu Pathiratne 5/51, Akila Dananjaya 3/17) and 154 for 4 (Dhananjaya Lakshan 84, Nuwanidu Fernando 23, Charith Asalanka 29 n.o.)