Nawaz’s 3-24, Asalanka’s 58 secure Qualifier 1 berth for Galle Gallants

• Galle Gallants to face Jaffna Kings in Qualifier 1 on 5 August, Colombo Kaps will be up against either of Kandy Royals or Dambulla Sixers in Eliminator
• Gallants finished with five wins in their eight league games; Colombo Kaps end up with four wins out of eight games

Galle Gallants romped to a 13-run win over Colombo Kaps and showcased their tournament clinching-capability in an all-round display in successful defence of their 201-run total at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday night.
Gallants’ batting effort was first spearheaded by player of the match Charith Asalanka, who starred with a second consecutive fifty, while solid knocks from Sahan Arachchige and Dasun Shanaka pushed them above 200-run mark.

In reply, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz tied down Colombo batters with three wickets as he got Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis and Ashen Bandara in his four overs in which he also bowled 12 dots.

Akif Javed got rid of Rubin Hermann early in the chase with Tharindu Ratnayake taking a blinder in the covers. Samarawickrama (37 off 19, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Ben McDermott then added quick 46 runs off 28 before Nawaz intervened.

McDermott was the fifth wicket to fall as his stay was cut short at 38 off 28 balls having hit four fours and one six and Kaps 93-5 in 10.4 overs. Before this Nawaz had taken his three.

With James Neesham’s (20 off 15, 2 fours, 1 six) at 121-7 in 13.1 overs, the Kaps got into the act, threatening to take the game away. Malsha Tharupathi (36 off 15) struck three sixes and as many fours, while Milan Rathnayaka’s one six and one four in a 19-ball 21 gave took Kaps closer as the duo ransacke 52 runs in tandem off 28 balls.

From 52 needed off the last four overs, the equation came down to 29 off 12 with Tharupathi falling to Eshan Malinga. Rathnayaka began 19th over with a six but then Akif removed him and conceded only nine in the over.

20 off the last over turned out to be too many for Kaps as they were bowled out for 188 in 19.4 overs with Malinga and Akif taking two each. Sachindu Colombage and Tharindu picked up one each.

Earlier, Asalanka was part of three major partnerships in the Gallants’ innings – a swift 19-ball 42 with Sam Harper (28 off 16), a 36-ball 47 with Dinura Kalupahana (20 off 21) and a 66-run fifth-wicket stand with Sahan Arachchige (43 off 29).

Asalanka fell for 58 off 37 hitting seven fours and two sixes, while Dasun Shanaka (21 off 8, 1 four, 2 sixes) and Nawaz (7 off 4, 1 six) finished the innings with a flourish as they took 30 runs off 11 balls for the seventh wicket.

Wanuja Sahan picked up two for 28 in his three overs.

Brief Scores

Galle Gallants won by 13 runs

Galle Gallants 201/6 (20)

Charith Asalanka 58 (37)
Sahan Arachchige 43 (29)
Sam Harper 28 (16)
Dasun Shanaka 21* (8)
Dinura Kalupahana 20 (21)

Wanuja Sahan 2/28 (3)

Colombo Kaps 188/10 (19.4)

Ben McDermott 38 (28)
Sadeera Samarawickrama 37 (19)
Malsha Tharupathi 36 (15)
Milan Rathnayaka 21 (19)
James Neesham 20 (15)

Mohammad Nawaz 3/24 (4)
Akif Javed 2/42 (4)
Eshan Malinga 2/43 (3.4)

Player of the match – Charith Asalanka