Lanka Premier League Khan, Gurbaz guide Colombo Strikers to third win

By M. Shamil Amit

A four wicket haul by spinner Shadab Khan which was his second of the tournament and an unbeaten half ton by Rahmanullah Gurbaz paved the way for Colombo Strikers to record a convincing nine wicket win over table leaders Jaffna Kings in the 17th match of the fifth Lanka Premier League tournament played under floodlights at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday. In the process Colombo Strikers avenged their first match defeat to Jaffna Kings played at the same venue.

Colombo Strikers in pursuit of 110 runs for victory though losing an early wicket in the third over with the score on 25 that of Angelo Perera who made 16 in eight balls with three boundaries they were guided by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Muhammad Waseem.

Gurbaz slammed an unbeaten 57 in 33 balls which had four boundaries and four sixes and Muhammed Waseem hit 35 in 18 balls with two boundaries and three sixes as the pair associated in an unbroken stand of 87 runs in 45 balls for Colombo Strikers to race to the target with ease in the with ease to record their third win of the tournament.

Earlier Jaffna Kings invited to take first lease of the wicket was in dire straits and struggling on 49 for 5 before the completion of the tenth over with pacies Binura Fernando and skipper Thisara Perera and spinner Khan doing the damage.

Khan further wreak havoc as he ran through the middle order batting bagging three scalps and despite some resistance put in by Colombo Strikers late order batting they were able to muster a score of only 109 which proved to insufficient to defend.

Today two matches are down for decision being Kandy Falcons vs Dambulla Sixers at 3.00 p.m. and Colombo Strikers vs Galle Marvels at 7.30 p.m.