Chamika Karunaratne’s fiery 34-ball 72* keeps Gallants at the top of points table

• Dambulla leg of LPL 2026 concludes as the action will now shift to Kandy
• Galle Gallants bagged their fourth win as they outsmarted Dambulla Sixers
• Dambulla Sixer’s Dushmantha Chameera picked up the sixth five-wicket haul in LPL history and first since 2023 edition

Dambulla, 26th July 2026:

Galle Gallants showcased their ruthless approach with the bat as they posted the fifth-highest total of Lanka Premier League history and the highest this season – 220/6 – to beat Dambulla Sixers by 44 runs in what was the last game of the tournament at the Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla.

All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne shone bright with the bat as he smashed six sixes and four fours to go unbeaten for 72 off 34 balls. The carnage was unleashed after he walked out to bat at the halfway mark with Gallants 108-3.

He shared a 56-run stand with Sahan Arachchige (28 off 18) to keep the Sixers bowling line-up under pressure and then ransacked 45 runs for seventh wicket off just 14 balls in company of Tharindu Ratnayake.

That the record total was put on the board was largely due to Karunaratne pumping Mohammad Wasim for 27 runs inn last over of innings. He ran out of balls four runs short of his best T20 score but ensured a strong total for his team.

Earlier in the innings Sam Harper and Nurul Hasan collected 40 runs for the opening wicket as the former scored a 27-ball 41 hitting five fours and one six, while the latter looked in sublime touch striking as many boundaries in his 13-ball 29.

Charith Asalanka’s 31 off 20 balls coming with the help of two fours and two sixes was vital as well in keep the run flow intact before Karunaratne unleashed his fury. For Sixers, Dushmantha Chameera stood out with five for 55 in four overs taking the sixth such haul in LPL history and first of the ongoing season.

Sixers threatened to take the chase away after their opening batter Niroshan Dickwella and Sahibzada Farhan gathered 49 runs in 3.5 overs but then the latter – also Impact sub – was run out for 11. From this juncture, Sixers lost five for 49 as leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage took three for 17 in four overs.
Ramesh Mendis (39* off 22 with six fours, 1 six), Marques Ackerman (23 off 14, 3 fours, 1 six), Maheesh Theekshana (16* off 12, 3x4s) and a 13-ball 15 including one six for Gulbadin Naib threatened to revive the chase but in vain.

Mohammad Nawaz gave away just six runs removing dangerous Dickwella, while Akif Javed and Eshan Malinga too had a scalp each.
Brief Scores

Galle Gallants won by 44 runs

Galle Gallants 220/6 (20)

Chamika Karunaratne 72* (34)
Sam Harper 41 (27)
Charith Asalanka 31 (20)
Nurul Hasan 29 (13)
Sahan Arachchige 28 (18)

Dushmantha Chameera 5/55 (4)

Dambulla Sixers 176/7 (20)

Ramesh Mendis 39* (22)
Niroshan Dickwella 32 (19)
Marques Ackerman 23 (14)

Sachindu Colombage 3/17

Player of the match: Chamika Karunaratne