Eliminator: Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Royals
Colombo Kaps
Kandy Royals
Colombo Kaps Cruise Past Kandy Royals to Reach Qualifier 2
Colombo Kaps kept their title hopes alive with a commanding 68-run victory over Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League 2026 Eliminator at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, securing their place in Qualifier 2.
Batting first, Colombo Kaps posted a competitive 203 for 7 in their 20 overs, led by a brilliant innings from Ben McDermott. The Australian batter struck 71 off just 39 deliveries, smashing seven sixes to provide the backbone of the Kaps’ innings.
After early wickets, Kamindu Mendis steadied the innings with a fluent 28 from 16 balls, while Janith Liyanage contributed 32 off 19 deliveries. In the closing overs, James Neesham remained unbeaten on 42 from only 23 balls, striking six boundaries and a six to propel Colombo past the 200-run mark.
Kandy Royals shared the wickets among their bowlers. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Nuwan Thushara, and Zahir Khan claimed two wickets each, but Colombo’s aggressive middle-order batting ensured they finished with an imposing total.
Chasing 204 for victory, Kandy Royals struggled from the outset as Colombo’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Lahiru Igalagamage offered the only significant resistance with 50 from 36 deliveries, while Pawan Sandesh added 21. However, no other batter was able to build a meaningful partnership as the required run rate continued to climb.
The Royals were eventually bowled out for 135 in 18.4 overs, handing Colombo a comprehensive victory.
Colombo Kaps’ bowling attack was outstanding throughout the chase. Wanuja Sahan delivered a match-winning spell of 2 for 8, while Shahnawaz Dahani, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Malsha Tharupathi, and Milan Rathnayaka all claimed two wickets each. The disciplined bowling performance never allowed Kandy Royals to recover after the early breakthroughs.
Powered by Ben McDermott’s explosive half-century and an exceptional collective bowling effort, Colombo Kaps secured a convincing 68-run victory over Kandy Royals in the LPL 2026 Eliminator at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The win sends the Kaps into Qualifier 2, where they will face Galle Gallants for a place in the LPL 2026 Final against Jaffna Kings.
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