Babar Azam and Naseem Shah starred for Colombo Strikers as they beat B-Love Kandy by 27 runs, to register their first win in Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 on Monday.
Selecting to bat first, Colombo Strikers encountered an early setback with the lack of their skipper Niroshan Dickwella for a mere four runs within the opening over. Nonetheless, Babar Azam, who opened the innings alongside Dickwella, demonstrated his tenacity and willpower, steadily discovering his rhythm regardless of the lack of one other wicket early on, with Pathum Nissanka being run out for 15.
Babar then discovered a dependable associate in Nuwanidu Fernando, and collectively they constructed an important 60-run partnership, offering much-needed stability to the Strikers’ innings. Nonetheless, the harmful Mohammad Hasnain finally dismissed Fernando for 28, leaving Babar to anchor the innings.
Undeterred by the autumn of wickets on the different finish, Babar displayed exceptional resilience, reaching his half-century in 48 deliveries. With the tip of the innings approaching, Babar tried to speed up the scoring, managing a few boundaries off Wanindu Hasaranga and Isuru Udana.
Because the match progressed into the latter phases, Babar sought one other huge shot, however he mistimed it, leading to a catch to Kamindu Mendis at long-on. Nonetheless, Babar’s gritty knock of 59 runs from 52 balls performed an important function in guiding Colombo Strikers to a decent complete of 157/6 of their allotted 20 overs.
With a difficult goal of 158 runs to defend, the Strikers’ bowlers took middle stage. Naseem Shah delivered a devastating opening spell, placing gold within the very first over by dismissing Thanuka Dabare lbw for simply four runs. Naseem wasn’t executed but as he clear bowled the harmful Kamindu Mendis in his first ball of the third over, leaving the opposition shocked.
Alongside Naseem’s brilliance, Jeffrey Vandersay and Matheesha Pathirana chipped in with well timed wickets, consistently denting Kandy’s possibilities of a profitable chase. Moreover, Mohammad Nawaz proved economical and accounted for the dismissal of Aamer Jamal, conceding solely 18 runs in his four-over spell.
Regardless of a short resistance from Sarfaraz Ahmed, who managed 16* runs from 21 balls, B-Love Kandy might solely attain 130/eight of their 20 overs, falling 27 runs in need of the goal. Naseem Shah’s exceptional bowling efficiency, ending with figures of two/19, proved instrumental in securing Colombo Strikers’ maiden victory in LPL 2023.
Babar was declared the participant of the match, marking his 20th Participant of the Match award in T20 cricket.