The Colombo Strikers held their nerve to secure a narrow two-run win over the Kandy Falcons in Lanka Premier League action on Saturday.

The Strikers posted 199-9 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Falcons at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

New Zealander Glenn Phillips led the way with a 43-ball 70 while Angelo Perera made 38 off 23 balls in support.

Pacer Dushmantha Chameera took 3-40 from four overs while Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Shoriful Islam took two wickets, apiece.

Despite meaningful contributions from Mohammad Haris, Andre Fletcher, Kamindu Mendis and Angelo Mathews, the Falcons fell agonizingly short of their target finishing 197-8 from their 20 overs.

Haris led the way with 56 off 32 balls including five fours and four sixes while Fletcher hit five fours and two sixes on his way to 47 off 36 balls.

Matheesha Pathirana took 4-26 from his four overs for the Strikers.

The Falcons almost pulled it off after needing 20 runs in the final over.

Strikers captain Thisara Perera, who had only bowled one over before the 20^th, took the responsibility upon himself to bowl the final over.

After dismissing Chatarunga de Silva off the first ball and conceding a single off the second, Angelo Matthews then hit the next three balls for a six, a four and another six leaving the Falcons needing three off one.

Perera held his nerve, dismissing Mathews off the lest ball of the match for 33 and securing the win.

Full Scores:

Colombo Strikers 199-9 off 20 overs (Glenn Phillips 70, Angelo Perera 38, Dushmantha Chameera 3-40, Wanindu Hasaranga 2-37, Shoriful Islam 2-43)

Kandy Falcons 197-8 off 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 56, Andre Fletcher 47, Kamindu Mendis 36, Angelo Mathews 33, Matheesha Pathirana 4-26)

Chris Gayle’s Gujarat Giants suffered a narrow 10-run defeat at the hands of the Manipal Tigers in the second game of the 2023 Legends League Cricket season at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Monday.

The Tigers batted first and made 173-8 from their 20 overs after losing the toss. Hamilton Masakadza (37), Thisara Perera (32) and Robin Uthappa (23) were the main scorers. Chadwick Walton also contributed 17.

Rajat Bhatia took 3-31 from his four overs while Trent Johnstone was expensive in his three overs, going for 33 runs but picking up two wickets in the process.

Then, despite a top score of 56 from Jacques Kallis along with a rapid 38 from Gayle and 35 from captain and wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, the Giants were restricted to 163-9 from their 20 overs.

Man of the match Parvinder Awana took 4-19 from three overs to lead the charge for the victors. Harbhajan Singh was also economical with 2-14 from his four overs. Perera also completed a good all-round performance with 2-6 from two overs.