| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Shashwat Kumar
6:12pm Right. That will be that from us for this game. In a little over an hour, Dambulla Aura will take on the Galle Gladiators in a fixture that would settle the debate around fourth spot. Do join us for that game. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat), on behalf of Sudeep, signing off! Goodbye, and take care!
Thisara Perera, Jaffna Kings captain: We have used 20 players so we now know what we have to do. It is really good for the team and really tough for the selection. We just want to play our normal game. Next match is just another match and we are looking forward to giving our best.
Niroshan Dickwella, Colombo Stars captain: I think when we have batted first, we have not clicked. When we have chased, we have done very well. As a batting group, everyone has to raise their hand and play for the team. We have not realised what a good score is in the first innings. 150-155 would have been a good score. Dew helped us in Pallekele but I don't think it is a reason for us to collapse like this. We have a good batting line-up. We just need to click and if we do that, we can definitely win the play-offs.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Player of the Match: (On being very energetic on the field) I did not have complete sleep (chuckles). I try to be energetic every time I am on the field. The wicket was not easy but I tried to be positive. I took some time at the start. I try to be more consistent now and to be good for the team whenever I play. It is all about hard work and it (my success) is because of that.
Time for the post-match presentation!
6:02pm A comfortable victory in the end for the Kings. The worrying part, from the Stars' perspective, was that the result never felt in doubt. Gurbaz teed off at the start, scoring 40 runs in the powerplay alone, and the bowlers had no answer to his pyrotechnics. Avishka batted through the run-chase and was there at the end, ensuring that there were no hiccups.
Both teams' group stage adventure has, thus, come to an end. And the way this game went, you feel the Stars have a lot more introspection to indulge in over the next couple of days. The Kings, meanwhile, would be high on confidence and would be fancying their chances of making the final come Tuesday.
Just four needed now. Can Samarawickrama finish it with one blow?
