LPL 2023 – Performances Of Naseem Shah And Babar Azam Went In Vain As Strikers Lost By 10 Runs

Babar Azam and Naseem Shah performed exceptionally well for Colombo Strikers but this performance wasn’t enough as Dambulla Aura defeated Colombo Strikers by 10 runs in the eighth match of the Lanka Premier League 2023.

Four Pakistani players, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Muhammad Nawaz, and Hassan Ali were playing in this game between Colombo Strikers and Dambulla Aura.

Niroshan Dickwella, the captain of the Colombo Strikers won the toss and decided to field first but this decision didn’t go in their favor as Dambulla Aura scored a mammoth total of 192 runs in the first innings of the match.

The captain of Dambulla Aura, Kusal Mendis was adjusted as the player of the match for his exceptional hitting in the first innings. He scored 87 runs off just 46 deliveries, with the help of four fours and eight huge sixes against Colombo Strikers.

Naseem Shah was the star of the match with the bowl. Even in the total of 192 runs when every bowler was going around for plenty, Naseem Shah ended his quota of four overs with an economy rate of just 5.2 runs per over.

The right-arm Pakistani pacer, Naseem Shah also picked up two wickets in the match. Some catches were also dropped off his bowling but still, he returned with figures of 2 wickets for 21 runs in four overs of the match.

Matheesha Pathirana was also brilliant with the bowl. He gave an exceptional performance as he picked up 3 wickets in the match while giving away just 31 runs.

In the run chase, Niroshan Dickwella gave a head start but was gone in the powerplay, when Babar Azam decided to take the charge. He scored not out 29 runs in the powerplay on just 13 deliveries for Colombo Strikers.

Babar Azam continued his excellent innings after the powerplay as well, before getting a doubtful LBW decision from the third umpire. He scored 41 runs in the match in just 24 deliveries. He scored seven fours at a strike rate of around 170.

The right-arm Pakistani pacer, Hassan Ali was quite expensive in the match as he conceded three boundaries on four balls against Babar Azam in the powerplay. He gave away 38 runs in his four overs and failed to take any wickets in the match as well.

The middle order of Colombo Strikers decided to take charge after the wicket of Babar Azam and there were some good knocks as well by Nuwanidu Fernando, Dhananjaya Lakshan, and Chamika Karunaratne but it wasn’t enough as they failed to chase the target of 193 runs and lost the match by 10 runs.

Colombo Strikers have played three matches in the tournament and have only won one match in the tournament so far. They are currently placed fourth on the table of three matches in the league. The Pakistani captain, Babar Azam was the Man of the Match, for his brilliant fifty in that one win for the Strikers.