Strikers vs Kandy, 18th Match at Colombo, LPL, Aug 13 2023 - Match Result

And that wraps up our coverage of this exciting LPL 2023 fixture. See you tomorrow for Kandy v Dambulla. Thank you.

11.20pm Presentation time. Lots of contenders for POTM.

Winning captain Chamika Karunaratne:"It was tough and the wicket was really good. The way boys played was excellent. Pathum and Nipun, especially in his first game, the way he played. I backed Nipun because of the way he plays. Nawaz, Nuwanidu and me batted well too. Bowlers after that excellent. (Iftikhar bowling) If Iftikhar is playing, I wanted him to bowl to left-handers on one side. It was my plan and the team was happy with that. (Must-win game next) I'm not a relaxed person because I said to the boys that there is nothing called 100%, there is something more than that. So told them to lets do that and even if we don't win despite it. doesn't matter.

Losing captain Wanindu Hasaranga: "Next game we will be back to a full-strength team. We rested a few players today but they batted and bowled well. We rested Chandimal and gave youngsters some chance... but we didn't manage our first six overs well while batting. I have asked Angelo to bowl with the new ball and he said he can, just needed two days to practice. He is ready to go. He is the best allrounder in our country."

Pathum Nissanka is the Player of the Match: "Babar is experienced and world class. Learning a lot from him. Just played with the flow after his wicket and I thought I still had 10-15 more runs to add to the team total."

Ifhaam: "In the entire tournament, it seemed like Hasarnanga alone carried the whole team on his shoulder. "

Monasha: "Jaffna is through I guess, only Galle or Colombo now go pass Jaffna's RR" -- unless Galle v Colombo is a washout, then both move up to 7.

11.14pm So Colombo Strikers will live to fight another day in a bid to qualify while B-Love Kandy will need another game to try and secure a top-two finish. Their bowlers stepped up in defending this total, backed up initially but Nissanka, Nipun and Nuwanidu who helped them reach 169.

After that, Naseem Shah, Vandersay, Pathirana and Iftikhar were excellent to ensure the Kandy side were never ahead in the chase. Colombo's next game is an effective knock-out, and today's outing will give them massive confidence and belief.

Equation is clear. 18 to win.

packed off-side field. Off side is shorter side.

Pressure on Strikers. 13 per over is no problem for Asif Ali on most days. What will the bowling plan be now? Pathirana has two overs, so here's one.