Lanka Premier League – Colombo Stars boost playoffs hopes after thrilling win

Match 15 of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) saw Kandy Warriors take on Colombo Stars. The match was an absolute thriller with the Stars managing to hold their nerves and win by five wickets with two balls to spare. For the umpteenth time, the Warriors failed to close the match. This was their fifth loss and their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs are in jeopardy now.

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The Stars needed an improbable 16 runs off the last over. Lahiru Kumara was entrusted to bowl the last over. In an anti-climactic end for Warriors, Seekkuge Prasanna sealed the game for Stars with three massive sixes. To his credit, Kumara bowled Yorkers but missed the line marginally. That was enough for Seekkuge, who lined up perfectly and managed to hit in the right slot.

Seekkuge finished on an unbeaten 32 off six balls and turned the match around in his team's favour. His efforts enabled Stars to get the third win in the competition. They are now placed fifth on the points table with six points on board. The Angelo Matthews-led side have also boosted their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Warriors were gutted with the result. They did all the hard work for the majority of the match, but in the end, Seekkuge’s blitz knocked them out.

Earlier, batting first, the Warriors managed to post a competitive 146 for nine on account of a handy 63 from Kennar Lewis. Asalanka too chipped in with vital 28. The rest of the batters though could not manage to contribute more.

On the other hand, the Stars faltered in the run-chase as they lost Nissanka, Matthews, and T de Silva for 0, 29, and 15 respectively. Wicketkeeper-batter Chandimal and Seekkuge turned things around and enabled the side to get over the line.