‘Itni buri team aaj tak nahi dekhi’ – Fans react as Colombo Strikers get eliminated from Lanka Premier League 2023 after losing to Galle Titans

In the final league stage match of the Lanka Premier League 2023, Colombo Strikers had to beat Galle Titans by a huge margin to have any chance to be among the teams in contention for a playoff spot. Where the Strikers had to give their best performance on the date, they gave their worst performance in the history of the Lanka Premier League to get eliminated from the tournament disastrously.  

Galle Titans, on the other hand, did not just win the game in style but also ended up as the second-best team in the league stage to play Qualifier 1 against the table toppers Dambulla Aura. On a typical slow wicket in Colombo, the Titans won the toss and decided to bowl first. Right from the toss, everything went perfectly for the Titans. They were always in a dominant position in the match.  

A sensational effort from Galle Titans’ bowlers

The bowlers of the Titans just made it uncomfortable for the batters of the Strikers. Kasun Rajitha bowled two overs and conceded only 10 runs. Lahiru Kumara bowled 2 overs and claimed the wickets of both the openers, Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam, including a maiden. Shakib Al Hasan in his 3.4 overs conceded only 8 runs and claimed the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed.   

Tabraiz Shamsi was sensational with the ball. In his 4 overs, the chinaman spinner claimed 4 wickets and conceded only 20 runs. The 33-year-old dismissed the likes of Lahiru Udara, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Mohammad Nawaz. Seekkuge Prasanna assisted him well and claimed the wickets of Chamika Karunaratne, Shoriful Islam, and Jeffrey Vandersay.   

The Strikers were bundled out for a total of just 74 runs in 15.4 overs. No batter from the Strikers could score even 15 runs. Chasing the target, the Titans were reduced to 19/2 after 3.3 overs. From there, Lasith Croospulle played a blinder and won the match for his team. The 24-year-old scored an unbeaten 42*(25) which included 4 fours and 3 sixes. Tabraiz Shamsi was awarded the Player of the Match.   

Here’s how the fans reacted to Colombo Strikers’ loss: 

https://twitter.com/ManeeshGiri_/status/1691519208209932288?s=20

https://twitter.com/moiz__ali/status/1691518712665501701?s=20

Ronke khatam hoyi so jao

— ♡ (@back_footpunch) August 15, 2023

https://twitter.com/farahzareef/status/1691635015397060979?s=20

Good luck for the next year focus on your squad selection ❤️❤️.#LPL2023

— Rizwan Khan (@imRizzipak77) August 15, 2023

https://twitter.com/kashmari55/status/1691519641519054848?s=20

We are sorry as a Pakistani this text for you @Colombostrikers owner we love you and appreciate you the way you show love respect of over players next season inshallah roar it real and on the road ❤️❤️

— Sattar Meer (@Bobby56B) August 15, 2023

https://twitter.com/kashmari55/status/1691519142581440512?s=20

https://twitter.com/reeni81/status/1691620326403387469?s=20

https://twitter.com/TahreemZero/status/1691528531266695168?s=20