‘Naam dekh k thandi hawa smjha kya? Fire hai Fire’ – Fans React as Colombo Strikers beat B-Love Kandy by 9 runs in LPL 2023

B– Love Kandy and Colombo Strikers recently encountered each other in the 18th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) on 13 August 2023, Sunday at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Colombo Strikers won the toss and chose to bat first, and the team collectively put a decent target on the board. 

The Sri Lankan batsmen Pathum Nissanka and Nipun Dhananjaya led Colombo Strikers to a decent score as they scored 51 and 40 runs off 38 and 29 deliveries with a strike rate of 134.21 and 137.93, respectively. Pathum Nissanka smashed four fours and one huge six that left the spectators in awe. The middle-order batsman Nipun Dhananjaya scored 1 four and 3 sixes to lead Dambulla Aura to a score of 169-9. 

B- Love Kandy failed to chase the target of 170 runs and got dismissed for 160 runs at the end of 20 overs. The team’s captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Asif Ali became the highest scorers for the team by scoring 40 and 33 runs off 21 and 15 deliveries respectively. 

“We are going with the best XI tomorrow” – Wanindu Hasaranga

Colombo Strikers sealed an easy victory against B-Love Kandy by 9 runs. With 8 points B-Love Kandy remained in the second spot of the Points Table, and still qualified for the semi-finals. 

“We are going with the best XI tomorrow, we rested three players but we came to win tonight but they batted and bowled really well tonight. We rested Chandimal today and gave a chance for Arachchige to bat higher up the order. When we lost the first two games, I asked Angelo whether he can bowl with the new-ball, he said yes. He needed just two days to practice and he is the best allrounder in the country and he did well,” said Wanindu Hasaranga, Captain of B-Love Kandy. 

“It was tough. The wicket was good but the way the boys played was excellent, Pathum and Nipun, especially in his first game, the debutant, I backed him because of the way he plays. If the left-hander is there and with the shorter side that side, I wanted Iftikhar to bowl, that was my plan and it went well. I’m not a relaxed person. I said to the boys that there is nothing called 100 percent, there is something more than that, I told the boys if we lose even after giving that it doesn’t matter. Next game the plan is the same”, Said Chamika Karunaratne, Stand-in Captain Colombo Strikers.  

Look at how the fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/naeema_nawaz/status/1690783884299157504?s=46

https://twitter.com/alasim1234/status/1690795195590389760?s=46

https://twitter.com/noorull49140005/status/1690783356563464192?s=46

https://twitter.com/ayubmahrukh/status/1690784338210861056?s=46

Gyzz i was so sad aftr babar,s wicket and now my night has been made by this win
May we lift the trophy
Strikers u must have to lift the trophy
Support till end gyz#ColomboStrikers

— FazeelZoraiz (@FazeelZoraiz) August 13, 2023

https://twitter.com/babarazamking_/status/1690786727223336961?s=46

https://twitter.com/cr7_speaks/status/1690802066560577536?s=46

Reason you don't know:
#BabarAzam #colombostrikers pic.twitter.com/MllHbKfkHV

— Alishba Khan (@_alishba_28) August 13, 2023