The promising off-spinner Treveen Mathew had impressive figures of 4 for 10, while opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit an unbeaten 57 in 21 balls as Jaffna Titans recorded an 8-wicket win over Hambantota Bangla Tigers in the opening game of the inaugural Lanka T-10 Super League cricket tournament played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Jaffna Titans, chasing a target of 107, were unable to make a good start as Nuwanidu Fernando was out for a first-ball duck off the bowling of Isuru Udana. However, two English batters, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell, controlled the game well, adding an unbroken 75-run second-wicket partnership in 34 balls to seal their victory with 1.5 overs to spare. Kohler-Cadmore hit 6 fours and 4 sixes for his 21-ball 57, while Abell played a good supporting role, scoring 33 off 19 balls with 5 fours.
Earlier, Hambantota Bangla Tigers, invited to bat first, lost opener Kusal Janith Perera to the innings’ first ball bowled by Mohammad Amir. However, skipper Dasun Shanaka made a very entertaining innings, scoring 51 off 17 balls with 4 fours and 5 sixes. He also added a 77-run second-wicket partnership with Mohammad Shahzad, who scored 22 off 15 balls with 4 fours.
The Tigers were 73 for 1 after five overs and heading for a big total, but young Treveen Mathew, the former Under-19 off-spinner, came to the fore, capturing four wickets, including Dasun Shanaka, and conceding just 10 runs in his 2-over spell. This limited Hambantota Bangla Tigers to 106 for 8 in their 10 overs. Charith Asalanka was outstanding in the field, taking four catches, while Janith Liyanage’s superb catch to dismiss Dasun Shanaka was the turning point of the game. The 20-year-old Treveen Mathew was adjudged Player of the Match.
SLC President Shammi Silva, CEO Ashley de Silva, and Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela graced the opening ceremony before the first game of this inaugural event.
Chief scores
Hambantota Bangla Tigers 106 for 8 wickets in 10 overs . Muhammad Shahzad 22, Dasun Shanaka 51, Dhananjaya Lakshan 10, Treveen Mathew 4/10
Jaffna Titans 107 for 2 wickets in 8.1 overs Tom Kohler- Cadmore 57*, Charith Asalanka 12, Tom Abell 33*, Isuru Udana 1/25
Opener Avishka hits unbeaten fifty in rain-hit second T-10 game
The second T-10 match was called off due to rain, and points were shared by the two teams, Nuwara Eliya Kings and Colombo Jaguars.
Nuwara Eliya Kings, invited to bat first, made 79 for 1 after 6 overs when the game was temporarily halted due to rain. Opener Avishka Fernando was unbeaten on 50 off 18 balls, with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
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Dhammika Ratnaweera