Kusal Mendis played a captain’s knock as Aura set up 192 and sealed victory by 10 runs over Colombo Strikers in the Lanka Premier League 2023 at Pallekele yesterday (5). 

Mendis got the support of Sadeera Samarawickrama to post 192 after Dambulla Aura was asked to bat first by Colombo Strikers skipper Niroshan Dickwella. 

The chase was tense with Nuwanidu Fernando showing his power hitting game but despite cameos from Chamika Karunarathne, Strikers fell short by 10 runs thanks to a stunning penultimate over by Hayden Kerr who gave only 4 runs. 

After being put to bat first, Aura lost Avishka Fernando inside the batting powerplay, but Mendis and Samarawickrama made up for their lack of runs in the previous matches. The pair added 120 runs in just 64 balls. 

Mendis was the first to perish for 87 off 46 balls which included eight 6s and four 4s. Samarawickrama fell shortly afterwards for 59 off 35 balls. 

The latter part of the innings, Matheesha Pathirana and Naseem Shah controlled the runs to keep the score under 200. Slinger Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 31 while the Pakistani ace picked up 2 for 21. 

In response, skipper Dickwella started off brightly but fell for just 18. Babar Azam showed glimpses of his usual best as he stroked 7 boundaries on his way to 41 off 24 balls. Unfortunately, at the other end, Pathum Nissanka struggled and it put pressure on the rest of the batters. 

However, Nuwanidu Fernando kept Strikers in the hunt as he extended his long leavers to keep the scoreboard moving. In the last two overs, Strikers needed to get 35 overs. Aura skipper Mendis handed the ball to Hayden Kerr who gave away only 4 runs.

Needing 31 runs in the last over, Chamika Karunarathne showed his power hitting capabilities but fell short by 10 runs at the end.