Lanka Premier League 2022:  Galle Gladiators hand Kandy Falcons their first defeat of the season

Nuwanidu Fernando and Thanuka Dabare in action [Source: Twitter] 

Match 9 of the Lanka Premier League 2022-23 witness table toppers the Kandy Falcons suffer their first defeat of the tournament by the hands of the Galle Gladiators by 12 runs.

Fernando and Dabare stand tall

Opting to bat first, the Gladiators' innings started poorly. West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite wreaked havoc in his early spell, claiming three quick wickets, with the Galle side stumbling to 10 for 4.

Nuwanidu Fernando and Thanuka Dabare stood their ground and absorbed a fiery spell of bowling.

As soon as the pair settled in, both batters scored runs at a brisk pace. Fernando reached his fifty in 40 balls, as the duo brought up their 100-run stand in 73 deliveries.

Dabare, too, reached his half-century in 41-balls.  Isuru Udana broke the 113-run partnership, getting the wicket of Fernando.

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim struck some lofty blows in the end, helping himself to 15 off 5. The Gladiators finished on 153 for 6 as Dabare was run-out for 70 on the final ball. 

Falcons crumble, rise and fail

The Falcons' innings never managed to take flight and lost momentum early in the chase. No.2,3 and 4 contributed just 23 runs as Pathum Nissanka looked on from one end.

Nissanka, who managed to score 29 runs fell to Lakshan Sandakan that saw Kandy lose half their side by just 55 runs.

Brathwaite fell for 4 with the required run rate rising ever-so steeply. Meanwhile, Gladiators' keeper Azam Khan suffered an injury and was carried off the field for medical attention.

Ashen Bandara and Chamika Karunaratne, unfazed, managed to keep their side in the chase. The pair added 56 runs for the seventh wicket before Karunaratne was run out for 32.

Needing 24 off six, Bandara (41*) along with Udana (3)* could muster just 11 runs, which includes a six off the first ball.

Brief Scores:

Galle Gladiators - 153/6 (20)

Thanuka Dabare 70 (51), Nuwanidu Fernando 56 (50);

Isuru Udana 2-19 (4), Carlos Brathwaite 3-17 (4).

Kandy Falcons  -141-7 (20)

 Chamika Karunaratne 32 (32), Ashen Bandara 41*;

Lakshan Sandakan 2-22 (4), Nuwan Thushara 2-26 (4).

Galle Gladiators won by 12 runs

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