Azam, Nissanka steer Colombo Strikers to thrilling win

Babar Azam scored the first century of this season’s Lanka Premier League (LPL), striking a swashbuckling 59-ball knock of 104, inclusive of eight boundaries and five sixes, to lay the foundation for Colombo Strikers to record a thrilling seven-wicket win over the Galle Titans, in their LPL match played at the Pallekele International Stadium.

Azam was part of a 111-run opening wicket partnership with Pathum Nissanka, which lasted 75 balls, as the Strikers chased down the 189-run target with a ball to spare. 

With 14 runs needed off the final over, Azam holed out to the fielder at long-off on the first delivery, before all-rounder Mohammed Nawaz scored the remaining runs in four balls to help his side race to the target and their second win of the tournament.

It was sweet revenge for the Strikers, who lost to the Titans by 83 runs when they met earlier this season. 

Earlier, Galle Titans, invited to take first lease of the wicket, were bolstered by an 87-run partnership for the opening wicket between Shevon Danil and Lasith Croospulle.

Croospulle was the first to be dismissed having scored 36 off just 19 balls. 

Daniel did not last long as he was sent back to the pavilion four runs later having made a quick-fire 49 in 31 balls with five boundaries and two sixes. 

It took a considerable period for Colombo Strikers to get their next success as Tim Seifert and Bhanuka Rajapakse took control from there on.

The pair put up Galle Titans 100 runs on the board which came off 67 balls and then posted their 50-run stand for the third wicket in 42 balls which followed by them posting the side’s 150 runs. 

Seifert reaching his half ton in 30 balls which had four boundaries and three sixes.

Right-arm pacie Naseem Shah made the breakthrough for the Strikers when he trapped Rajapakse, who was on 30, and the pair having added 87 runs for the third wicket.

Galle Titans ended their innings making 188 for 3 and Seifert remaining unbeaten on 54 made in 34 balls that comprised four boundaries and three sixes.

Result:
At Pallekele – Colombo Strikers won by seven wickets
Galle Titans 188 for 3 in 20 overs (Shevon Daniel 49, Lasith Croospulle 36, Bhanuka Rajapakse 30, Tom Seifert 54 n.o.)
Colombo Strikers 189 for 3 in 19.5 overs (Babar Azam 104, Pathum NIssanka 54)