Galle Gladiators secured their place in the semi-finals when they defeated Kandy Tuskers by nine wickets in their Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament second-round match played under lights at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.
The Tuskers managed to score only 126 runs in 19.1 overs despite a fighting half-century from middle-order batsman, Kusal Mendis who hoisted four sixes and struck six boundaries during his top score of 68.
Mendis also added 48 runs for the third-wicket along with Brendan Taylor after the Tuskers had lost both openers inside the first four overs.
But thereafter, the Tuskers were unable to build-up any significant partnership and the innings completely lost its way after Mendis fell in the 18th over with the score at 124.
Opening bowler, Nuwan Thushara did the early damage with two crucial wickets while Mohammad Amir polished off the Tuskers tail by returning figures of two for 11.
The Gladiators in reply, raced to their target in style with inform batsman, Danushka Gunathilaka smashing another half-century. The dynamic opener remained unbeaten on 94 from 66 balls having collected his runs with the help of four sixes and a dozen of boundaries.
Gunathilaka also added 101 for the first-wicket with his partner Hazratullah Zazai (20) who was the only batsman to be dismissed during the innings as the Gladiators reached their target with three overs to spare.
Chief scores:
Kandy Tuskers: 126 in 19.1 overs (Kusal Mendis 68, Brendan Taylor 20, Mohammad Amir 2/11, Nuwan Thushara 2/8, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/32, Sahan Arachchige 2/24).
Galle Gladiators: 130/1 in 17 overs (Danushka Gunathilaka 94 n.o, H. Zaizi 20).
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