Galle look for winning start against confident Colombo today

The Galle Gladiators will launch their campaign for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) when they take on the high riding Colombo Kings in their T20 Tournament encounter at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium under lights today.

The Gladiators will be pleased with the news that their iconic player and former Pakistan star all-rounder,ShahidAfridi is available for selection having completed his stipulated quarantine period.

There were of course, several doubts about his participation in the tournament as his arrival in Sri Lanka,was delayed in bizarre style following a successful campaign in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Team sources revealed yesterday that Afridi will be available for selection and is presence will be a huge morale booster for the Gladiators who are determined to make a winning start.

Even then, the Colombo Kings are brimming with confidence following their thrilling Super Over win over the strong Kandy Tuskers Team in the curtain raiser match of the tournament on Thursday.

The manner in which the Kings handled the pressure situation in their first outing was quite remarkable and they are will be keen to maintain the same momentum.

The Gladiators will no doubt have a tough task in containing the powerful Colombo batting line-up, which has already shown signs of dominating the tournament.

Opener, Dinesh Chandimal will spearhead a formidable line-up, which includes some of the finest stroke makers like Angelo Mathews, Andre Russell, Laurie Evans and all-rounder IsuruUdana.

The teams

Galle Gladiators Squad:

ShahidAfridi (Captain), Chadwick Walton, Hazratullah Zazai, Muhammed Amir, Dhanushka Gunathilake, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Akila Dananjaya, Milinda Siriwardena, Ashan Ali, Azam Khan, Lakshan Sandakan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, NuwanThushara, Mohammed Shiraz, Abdul Nasir, Waqas Maqsood and DhananjayaLakshan.

Colombo Kings Squad:

Angelo Mathews (Captain), Manpreet Singh Gony, Andre Russell, Laurie Evans, Daniel Bell Drummond, IsuruUdana, Dinesh Chandimal, AmilaAponso, AshanPriyanjan, Qais Ahmad, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thikshila de Silva, Tharindu Kaushal, LahiruUdara, Karim Khan Sadeq, Dhammika Prasad, Himesh Ramanayake, KalanaPerera, Tharindu Ratnayake and NavodParanavithana.

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