Lanka Premier League Farhan’s knock in vain as Kandy Royals record first win

Lahiru Udara Visuals Credit: SLC

By M. Shamil Amit

A quick-fire 74 off 45 balls by opener Sahibzada Farhan proved to be in vain as Kandy Royals secured a convincing 43-run victory over Dambulla Sixers in their Lanka Premier League encounter played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday.

The victory marked Kandy Royals’ first win of the tournament.

Chasing a challenging target of 195, Dambulla Sixers made a promising start through Farhan, whose innings included seven boundaries and four sixes.

He was involved in two half-century partnerships, adding 57 runs for the opening wicket with skipper Dinesh Chandimal before sharing a further 51 runs for the second wicket with Niroshan Dickwella.

However, Farhan’s dismissal triggered a middle-order collapse. From a healthy position of 108 for two, Dambulla Sixers lost four quick wickets for the addition of only 30 runs and slipped to 138 for six.

They never recovered and were eventually restricted to 151, falling 43 runs short of the target. Pacer Nuwan Thushara caused the most damage, finishing with impressive figures of four for 29 from his four overs.

Earlier, Kandy Royals were invited to bat first and lost their opening wicket in the third over with the score on 13. However, they recovered steadily through Lahiru Udara, who anchored the innings with two valuable partnerships.

Udara added 55 runs for the second wicket with Kusal Perera before sharing a brisk 38-run stand for the third wicket with Moeen Ali.

His innings came to an end when he was dismissed as the fourth wicket, having scored a valuable 51 off 34 deliveries, including five boundaries and two sixes.

Skipper Angelo Mathews then provided the late momentum, featuring in two brief but useful partnerships as Kandy Royals posted an imposing total of 194 for six from their allotted 20 overs.

Two matches are scheduled to be played at the same venue today. Jaffna Kings will take on Colombo Kaps at 3.00 p.m., while unbeaten Galle Gallants will face Dambulla Sixers at 7.30 p.m.