Shanaka’s Side Beats Shakib-Hridoy’s Team to Win LPL Title

Towhid Hridoy, who hit a stormy fifty in the first qualifier, could not replicate his form on the grand stage. Shakib Al Hasan was unable to contribute much with the bat either, though he later bowled brilliantly to claim two wickets. Ultimately, their team failed to defend a modest total. Galle Gallants took sweet revenge against Jaffna Kings to emerge as the champions.

Galle won the final of the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) by 5 wickets. After bundling out Jaffna for just 123 runs, Dasun Shanaka's side chased down the target with 25 balls to spare.

After losing three previous finals in Sri Lanka's franchise league, the Galle franchise finally tasted their first title victory. Under the name Galle Gladiators, they lost the finals of the first two seasons to the Jaffna franchise, and again as Galle Marvels in the fifth season. They had also suffered a defeat against Jaffna in the first qualifier of this edition.

Despite losing a final for the first time, Jaffna remains the most successful franchise in LPL history with four titles.

In Colombo on Saturday, Hridoy managed only 10 runs off 10 balls. Shakib took 13 balls to score 9 runs. With the ball, the 39-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder registered figures of 2 for 15 in his 4 overs.

Jaffna chose to bat after winning the toss at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara added 25 runs for the opening stand, which ultimately turned out to be the highest partnership of the innings.

Jaffna lost wickets at regular intervals. Avishka fell after scoring 20 off 16 balls, while Khawaja Nafay was dismissed for a duck.

Batting at number four, Hridoy hit a boundary before being caught near the rope in the eighth over while trying to loft leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage. Captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage, and Shakib all failed to reach double figures. Mishara top-scored with 41 off 32 balls, including five boundaries. A quickfire 24 off 16 balls from Chamindu Wickramasinghe at number eight helped Jaffna cross the 100-run mark.

Bowling tightly for Galle, Charith Asalanka and Eshan Malinga picked up three wickets each.

In pursuit of a small target, Galle’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing Sam Harper and Asalanka within the first two overs.

After slumping to 10 for 2, Thomas Rogers and Dinura Kalupahana steadied the innings with a brilliant 64-run partnership for the third wicket.

Shakib, who conceded 5 runs in his lone Powerplay over, was brought back into the attack in the ninth over. The former Bangladesh captain dismissed both set batters on the first and last balls of the over. Rogers (32 off 27 balls) was caught while attempting a knee-down slog sweep off a ball wide outside off stump, while Dinura (31 off 19 balls) was clean-bowled by a fine delivery.

Shakib conceded just 2 runs in his next over, leaving his bowling figures at an economical 3-0-8-2.

Although Galle lost Chamika Karunaratne with 21 runs needed for victory, it did not cause any alarm. Shanaka struck a boundary off the first ball of Shakib's final over, from which 7 runs were conceded.

In the following over, Shanaka sealed the victory himself by hitting Lizaad Williams for a boundary and a six off consecutive balls. The winning captain remained unbeaten on 20 off 9 balls.