COLOMBO: Colombo Stars defeated Kandy Falcons by a margin of six wickets in Qualifier 2 on Thursday, advancing them to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 championship game. The Falcons scored 168 runs in 20 overs while losing six wickets, while the Stars then completed the chase in 18.5 overs.

The Stars, who were batting second, didn't start the chase off well. Nishan Madushka (11) was caught by Pathum Nissanka for just 13 runs, the first wicket they lost, and Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka went on to add a large 90-run partnership. Asalanka hit 64 runs off 40 balls while Chandimal scored 38 runs off 33 balls. With the wickets of Chandimal and Asalanka, Kandy Falcons attempted to retake the lead in the game, but Ravi Bopara (29 not out) had other plans.

He bowled beautifully and scored 45 runs in collaboration with team captain Angelo Mathews (21 not out), helping the Stars advance to the championship game.

For Kandy Falcons, Kamindu Mendis secured two wickets while Carlos Brathwaite secured one.

The Kandy Falcons earlier, who had lost the toss, also struggled to get off to a good start, losing two wickets for only four runs. Before skipper Wanindu Hasaranga struck 77 not out off 34 balls to create a 92 run partnership with Ashen Bandara (40), Kamindu Mendis scored 23 runs off 29 balls to halt the loss of wickets. Bandara only managed two boundaries, compared to Hasaranga's eight boundaries and three sixes. Carlos Brathwaite contributed 15 more points to the Falcons' high total with his scoring.

Kasun Rajitha claimed four wickets for Colombo Stars, while Dominic Drakes and Mohammad Nabi each had one.

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