LPL 2024 | Theekshana’s mastery and super-over thriller seal victory for Galle Marvels

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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In a nail-biting match at Colombo, Galle Marvels defeated Dambulla Sixers via super over. Despite Dambulla's bowlers restricting the Marvels to 148/9, Hendricks’ 72 and Zadran's cameo levelled the scores whereas Maheesh Theekshana's stellar super over secured the win for the Marvels.

‌Dambulla Sixers skipper Mohammad Nabi won the toss and opted to bowl first against the Galle Marvels at Colombo. The decision seemed shaky as Galle openers Alex Hales and Niroshan Dickwella propelled the score to 39/0 in just four overs. However, the breakthrough came in the fifth when Dilshan Madhushanka dismissed Dickwella. The tension mounted for Galle as Hales and Bhanuka Rajapaksa departed within ten overs. Tim Seifert and Janith Liyanage then steadied the ship, taking the Marvels to 86/3 by the end of the 13th over. Unfortunately, their partnership didn't last long as Nabi and Dushan Hemantha took their wickets in the 14th and 15th overs. Towards the end, Sahan Arachchige and Dwaine Pretorius built a crucial 34-run stand, bringing the score to 117/5 in 17 overs. However, their departure in the 18th and 19th overs slowed the run flow, and the Galle Marvels finished at a competitive 148/9 after 20 overs.

 

In response, the Sixers had a disastrous start with Kusal Perera dismissed by Pretorius in the first over. Reeza Hendricks and Ibrahim Zadran looked promising pushing the score to 36/1 in four overs. Zadran's splendid cameo of 30 off 18 deliveries ended soon after. Lahiru Udara and Hendricks added 32 runs together before Kavindu Nadeeshan dismissed Udara in the ninth over, restricting Dambulla to 76/3 at the halfway mark. The troubles continued as Arachchige dismissed Mark Chapman in the 12th over, leaving Dambulla needing 63 off 50 deliveries. The middle order faltered, losing Chapman and Chamindu Wickramasinghe in quick succession. However, Hendricks showed resilience scoring a fifty off 43 balls and bringing the score to 109/5 in 16 overs. With 40 required from the last four overs, the match was set for a thrilling finish. Hendricks and Nabi managed 22 runs in the 18th and 19th overs, leaving eight needed from the final over. A clinical last over by Maheesh Theekshana took the game to a super over as Nabi was run out on the last ball, with just one run required. 

 

The super over mirrored the last over of the match with Maheesh Theekshana taking the ball for Galle Marvels and Mohammad Nabi and Reeza Hendricks stepping up for the Sixers. Chaos ensued for the Sixers as Theekshana dismissed Hendricks, and Chamindu Wickramasinghe was run out, leaving them at a precarious 6/2. In reply, Sahan Arachchige and Alex Hales confidently sealed the victory for Galle Marvels within four balls, clinching the match in the super over.

Finished in style

Better than them

Take a look

Good bowling

Difficult pitch

TOugh deliveries

Batting well

Can defend

Tight deliveries

Bowling first

 

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