Isuru Udana leads Colombo to Super Over win

By M. Shamil Amit

The Colombo Kings won the opening match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota yesterday, but only after it went into a Super Over where they defended 16 runs against the Kandy Tuskers. 

The Tuskers needed six runs off the last ball in the Super Over, but their Captain, Kusal Janith Perera could not clear the boundary, as they finished with 12 off their six deliveries bowled by Isuru Udana. 

Earlier, the match ended in a thrilling tie with both teams scoring 219 runs from their 20 overs.   

Two quick-fire knocks from openers, Rahamanullah Gurbaz (51) and Skipper Kusal Janith Perera (87) helped the Kandy Tuskers reach a formidable score after being invited to take first lease of the wicket. However, the Kings put up a tremendous batting performance to level the scores with all-rounder, Isuru Udana scoring an unbeaten 34 from just 12 deliveries.   
Gurbaz reached his half century from just 21 balls with a massive six off Qais Ahmad. However, he was dismissed in the next ball while going for a repeat which also ended a scintillating 75-run partnership in 34 balls. Thereafter, Perera took over the mantle and along with Kusal Mendis, the pair posted the 100 runs in the eighth over. Mendis (30) added a breezy 59 runs in 42 balls for the second wicket with Perera racing to his half century in 36 balls.