By Srian Obeyesekere
Twenty three year old number 7 batsman Pathum Mahesh Kumara pulled Galle out of total disaster stroking 78 off 120 balls as his side recovered from a perilous 39 for 6 to 187 in reply to Dambulla’s 248 on the second day of the Sri Lanka Cricket National Super League Tournament 2023 final against Dambulla at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Friday. However. However, Dambulla finished the day on a. high with an overall lead of 177 on a second innings 116 for 4.
Having walked in after Galle had lost a fifth wicket that of Hsshan Dumindu without a run being added to the overnight score of 26,, Kumara rallied his side in a typical back to the wall battle against a rampant Dambulla attack that saw pacie Lahiru Samarakoon send back Hashan Dumindu to a return catch. He found support in No. 8 Suminda Lakshan who made a resolute 41 off 60 inclusive of 3 boundaries in adding 87 for the sixth wicket, and Kavisha Anjula who scored 26 off 53 with 2 boundaries 56 for the seventh wicket. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva finished with a haul of 4 wickets for 64 and Lahiru Samarakoon 3 for 42.
Dambulla was in trouble at 55 for 4 in the second innings which was steadied by opening batsman Sonal Dinusha who remained unbeaten on 51 off 141 hitting 7 boundaries and Ashan Priyanjan on 34 off 75 with 5 boundaries.