Monday May 04, 2026
Monday May 04, 2026
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Dambulla pair Anjala Bandara and Kavindu Pathiratne during their 161-run sixth-wicket stand
Colombo’s Pramod Madushan ripped through the Galle top order batting with three wickets
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Seamer Pramod Madushan, literally a white-ball bowler, pushed Galle onto the back foot with three quick wickets with the red ball that saw the defending champions slip from 64 for no loss to 74-3 replying to Colombo’s first innings of 337, on the second day of their National Super League (NSL) 4-day match continued at the Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Madushan’s dismissal of Oshada Fernando, Nipun Dananjaya, and Ahan Wickramasinghe within the space of 25 balls for 10 runs saw Galle struggling to stay in the contest, ending Day Two on 247-7. They require a further 90 runs to gain the vital first innings lead with three wickets in hand.
The contest is vital for both teams who are vying for a place in the final. The winner will play Dambulla, who have already qualified.
Skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama raised Galle’s hopes of a recovery with a fighting knock of 69 off 110 balls (5 fours), but Colombo kept on chipping away with wickets from the other end. Samarawickrama’s dismissal at 223 was a fatal blow for Galle, who now have to rely on their late order and tail to get them past Colombo’s total.
Colombo’s tail wagged strongly when they resumed from their overnight total of 289-8, with the last two wickets adding 48 crucial runs courtesy Madushan (28 off 53 balls) and Kasun Rajitha (31 off 43).
Rain brought an early closure to the second day’s play of the Dambulla vs. Kandy fixture played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. Dambulla, resuming at 293-5, carried their first innings total to 424-9 when play ended.
Overnight pair Anjala Bandara and Kavindu Pathiratne took their sixth-wicket partnership to a total of 161 before being parted. Bandara, continuing his consistent form in the tournament, scored 128 off 225 balls (8 fours) and Pathiratne contributed a solid 78 off 187 balls (8 fours). Spinners Ravindu Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay shared six wickets between them.
Day Two scores
*At Dambulla:
Colombo 337 (o/n 289-8) (Ravindu Rasantha 32, Janith Liyanage 98, Kavija Gamage 40, Prabath Jayasuriya 24, Pramod Madushan 28, Kasun Rajitha 31, Extras 34, Udith Madushan 2/30, Asanka Manoj 2/63, Keshara Nuwantha 2/99, Mudith Lakshan 3/63)
Galle 247-7 at close (Oshada Fernando 39, Shehan Fernando 45, Sadeera Samarawickrama 69, Kevin Perera 34, Muditha Lakshan 34*, Pramod Madushan 3/33, Kavija Gamage 2/40)
*At Hambantota:
Dambulla 424-9 at close (Lasith Croospulle 22, Dhananjaya de Silva 53, Vishad Randika 104, Anjala Bandara 128, Kavindu Pathiratne 78, Dinura Kalupahana 2/86, Ravindu Fernando 3/76, Jeffrey Vandersay 3/48) vs. Kandy
