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Right then, that is it from Eliminator 1. Kandy Falcons wins this and qualifies for the 2nd Qualifier. The Lanka Premier League 2024 action continues as we have the the Qualifier 2 between Kandy Falcons and Jaffna Kings lined up on Saturday, the 20th of July at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the early build-up as well. Until then, take care, and cheers!

The victorious skipper of Kandy Falcons, Wanindu Hasaranga says that he trusted Dasun and Kamindu. Adds that Dasun has done it for Sri Lanka and he was great. Ends by saying that the bowlers did their job and the batters finished it off well.

The losing skipper of Colombo Strikers, Thisara Perera is up for a quick chat and starts by thanking their owner as they have supported them a lot. Adds that they were 10-15 runs short and they eventually cost them the game. Mentions that Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka played really good cricket under pressure. Closes by saying that the experience of playing LPL is getting better with each year and he hopes to do better next year.

Kamindu Mendis IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that it was a really good game. Adds that when he went out in the middle, they lost a few wickets and wanted to build partnerships. Says that they needed to stay positive but he should have finished the game.

The Presentation...

Earlier in the game, Colombo Strikers batting first weren't at their best to start with. The side lost three wickets inside the Powerplay and couldn't add a lot to the scoreboard either. A timely partnership between Dunith Wellalage and Sadeera Samarawickrama of 68 runs for the 6th wicket helped the side post a fighting total. Sadeera Samarawickrama was outstanding with the bat as he scored a half-century and scored 62 runs. Dunith Wellalage played a good hand of 28 while Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggled for his 30 runs. The bowling of Kandy Falcons was good as well with Mohammad Hasnain picking up three while skipper Wanindu Hasaranga took a couple. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka combined for 6 overs and took a couple giving away 46 off those 6 overs.

The bowling from Colombo Strikers wasn't at their best and the bowlers leaked runs on both sides of the park that eventually cost them the game. They were in with a good chance with the opposition at 83 for 6 after 10.2 overs but the indiscipline against Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis cost them the game. Matheesha Pathirana and Binura Fernando picked up three each while Isitha Wijesundara and Shadab Khan took one each as well.

Chasing down an in-between total of 159, Kandy Falcons weren't off to a flying start as they lost their top three inside the Powerplay. The good thing for the Falcons was they kept scoring at a good click despite losing wickets at the top. Falcons scored 51 off the first six. The Falcons then struggled in the middle phase of the game but the dismissal of Chaturanga de Silva and the arrival of Dasun Shanaka was key for them. Dasun Shanaka along with Kamindu Mendis knitted a partnership of 69 and almost saw their side home in this Eliminator. The Falcons had a rough ending to the game with a couple falling in quick succession but Ramesh Mendis kept his nerves and saw his side home.

The defending champions Kandy Falcons have won Eliminator 1 and they now advance to Qualifier 2 where they will face Jaffna Kings. Kandy Falcons defeated Colombo Strikers by 2 wickets and are just one victory away fro having a go at the title again.

FOUR! Ramesh Mendis has done it, he hits the winning runs here! Dunith Wellalage tosses it up, full and on middle, Ramesh Mendis swipes it off the inside half of the bat, it goes in the air but beats the dive of mid-wicket and runs away to the fence for a boundary. KANDY FALCONS WIN BY 2 WICKETS!

Tossed up, full and on off, Ramesh Mendis knocks it towards mid off and calls for the run but is sent back. Two dots in a row!

Quicker, short and around off, Ramesh Mendis punches it straight to point.

SCORES LEVEL! Flatter, full and on off, Chamath Gomez stays back and pushes it past the bowler and towards long off for a single.

Slower one, full and on off, Chamath Gomez guides it towards deep point for a single, he wants the second but slips at the non-striker's end and has to settle for one. Kandy Falcons two runs away from the win now!

Short of a length and just outside off, Chamath Gomez leaves it alone.

Pitched up and around off, Chamath Gomez reaches out for it and gets some bat on that to stab it on the pitch.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, Ramesh Mendis just about manages to dig it out towards mid-wicket for a single. Kandy Falcons three runs away from the win now.

Another full delivery, on middle, but goes down the leg side again. Third wide of the over and Colombo Strikers are under pressure again.