By M. Shamil Amit

Colombo Kaps recorded their second win of the ongoing Lanka Premier League T20 tournament with a 23-run victory over Kandy Royals in the ninth match played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday.
Chasing a challenging target of 193, Kandy Royals found themselves in trouble during the early stages of their innings as their top order failed to make an impact.
They were struggling at 77 for five in the tenth over before losing two more wickets for the addition of just 18 runs to slump to 95 for seven in the 13th over.
Vijay Shankar and skipper Angelo Mathews then launched a recovery, batting cautiously while keeping the scoreboard moving. The pair added a valuable 49 runs for the eighth wicket before Shankar was dismissed for 30 with the score on 144.
Kandy Royals were left needing a further 49 runs from the remaining 17 deliveries. However, Mathews and Dushan Hemantha could add only 25 runs as the Royals finished on 169 for eight from their allotted 20 overs.
Mathews remained unbeaten on 39 off 24 deliveries, while Dale Phillips contributed 38 off 27 balls.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the Colombo Kaps bowlers, claiming three wickets for 34 runs. James Neesham returned impressive figures of one for seven from two overs.
Earlier, Colombo Kaps, invited to take first lease of the wicket after Kandy Royals won the toss, also endured a difficult start and lost three early wickets with only 30 runs on the board.
Opener Rubin Hermann led the recovery with a well-compiled 53 off 36 deliveries, which included seven boundaries and a six.
Janith Liyanage then held the middle and lower order together with an unbeaten 52 off 33 balls, striking three boundaries and two sixes.
He received valuable support from James Neesham, who struck a brisk 24 off 10 deliveries, and Binura Fernando, who contributed 21 off 13 balls.
Their contributions enabled Colombo Kaps to post a competitive total of 192 for nine, which they successfully defended.

Chief Scores:
Colombo Kaps: 192 for 9 in 20 overs (R. Hermann 53, J. Liyanage 52 not out, J. Neesham 24, B. Fernando 21; D. Hemantha 2 for 20, M. Ali 2 for 31, S. Afridi 2 for 34)
Kandy Royals: 169 for 8 in 20 overs (A. Mathews 39 not out, D. Phillips 38, V. Shankar 30; M. U. Rahman 3 for 34, J. Neesham 1 for 7, W. Sahan 1 for 24)