The Galle Gladiators secured a 25-run victory against the Colombo Stars and get their first couple of points in the table on Sunday. 

Youngster Lahiru Udara, Wahab Riaz, Iftikhar Ahmed and Nuwan Thushara starred in the victory as the Gladiators defended 174 successfully after winning the toss and electing to bat first in the 7th match of the LPL.

The Galle top 3 did well with the openers Kusal Mendis and Thanuka Dabare adding 75 for the first wicket and number 3 Lahiru Udara playing till the end to score 45 off 30 deliveries. The middle order slumped under pressure with only Nuwanidu Fernando scoring in double figures with a brisk 28 off 16 deliveries to provide some impetus in the later part of the innings.

Jeffrey Vandersay had a good day in the field as he was the pick of the Colombo bowlers with 2 wickets and produced a magical delivery, the leg spinner’s delight to dismiss Iftikhar Ahmed. Ravi Bopara, Navod Paranavithana, Naveen-ul-Haq and Dominic Drakes chipped in with a wicket apiece for Colombo.

The Stars didn’t get a great start barring for Niroshan Dickwella who scored 58 off 44 deliveries finding boundaries on regular intervals. But his effort wasn’t enough to take the team home as wickets kept tumbling at the other end.

Ravi Bopara hit 46 off 35 deliveries but his strike rate didn’t help the cause. Dickwella retired hurt with 30 balls remaining due to dehydration and was replaced by Dinesh Chandimal who played a brief cameo of 16 in 9 balls. 

Economic spells from Wahab Riaz (2/21), Iftikhar Ahmed (2/12) and Nuwan Thushara (1/23) who bowled a wicket maiden as well put the Colombo Stars under such immense pressure that they failed to recover from their position as the required run rate lobbed over 15 with 6 overs to play.

--Agencies