Tuesday Jul 28, 2026
Tuesday Jul 28, 2026
Friday, 24 July 2026 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Kandy Royals led by former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews despite breaking their jinx of not winning a match in the first round at the SSC, continued to labour at the bottom of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) standings when they suffered their third defeat in the tournament going down by 23 runs to Colombo Kaps in the first of two matches played at the Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Kandy Royals’ run chase was hampered by a calf strain to Mathews who came to bat at the fall of the seventh wicket due to the injury, with his side needing 98 off the last seven overs. He tried his best to get his team over the line scoring 39* off 24 balls (5 fours, 1 six) but Shahnawaz Dahani and James Neesham who bowled the final two overs ensured Colombo Kaps won quite comfortably.
Mathews is the second captain in the ongoing LPL to suffer an injury. Colombo Kaps skipper Kusal Mendis has already been ruled out of the tournament with a damaged hamstring.
Dale Phillips (38 off 27 balls) and Vijay Shankar (30 off 23) scored 30s apiece for Colombo Kaps but the rest of the batting faltered against some excellent bowling from off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman who ended up taking 3/34 and Wanuja Sahan who was economical in his four overs (1/24).
Colombo Kaps’ bowlers were not under too much pressure because their batters gave them the freedom to attack with the ball more aggressively and execute their plans.
Rubin Hermann was at the top of his form playing plenty of eye-catching strokes in his innings of 53 off 36 balls (7 fours, 1 six) and Player of the Match Janith Liyanage hit a crucial half-century (52* off 33 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) to help Colombo Kaps post a respectable total of 192-9. James Neesham (24 off 10) and Binura Fernando (21 off 13) also made handy contributions.
Shahin Afridi picked up the key wickets of Kamindu Mendis and Wanuja Sahan with a disciplined bowling performance while Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara were most economical. – [ST]
Scores:
Colombo Kaps 192-9 (20) (Rubin Hermann 53, Janith Liyanage 52*, James Neesham 24, Binura Fernando 21, Shaheen Afridi 2/34, Moeen Ali 2/31, Dushan Hemantha 2/20) vs. Kandy Royals 169-8 (20) (Dale Phillips 38, Vijay Shankar 30, Angelo Mathews 39*, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/34)
