Sahibzada Farhan’s fifty in vain as Kandy Ro…
Sahibzada Farhan’s explosive half-century went in vain as Kandy Royals secured a 43-run victory over Dambulla Sixers in the sixth fixture of the Lanka Premier League 2026 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing 195, Dambulla Sixers could only muster 151-8 despite a solid start.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Farhan, who came in as an impact substitute, added 57 runs in the first five overs, with Farhan scoring the bulk of the runs. Chandimal departed after scoring 12, but Sixers maintained the momentum as Farhan raised his half-century. He eventually was caught by Shaheen Afridi in the 11th over after scoring 74 off 45 balls, hitting four sixes and seven fours. His wicket sparked a collapse that Dambulla Sixers could not recover from, losing wickets in clusters. Nuwan Thushara starred with the ball, picking up four wickets to help restrict the Sixers to 151 in 20 overs.
Earlier, Lahiru Udara’s half-century helped Kandy Royals post a strong total of 194-6 in 20 overs. After an early loss, Kusal Perera and Udara crafted a 55-run stand for the second-wicket partnership. Perera made 25 off 20 balls, hitting two fours and a six, while Udara top-scored with 51 from 34 balls, striking two sixes and five boundaries. Moeen Ali and Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with 24 and 29 respectively, while veteran batter Angelo Matthews provided the innings’ late impetus with an unbeaten 29 off 19 balls, hitting four boundaries to take the Royals’ total near the 200-run mark.
For Dambulla Sixers, Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled an economical spell, giving away 20 runs in his four overs while picking up two crucial wickets. Pacer Mohammad Wasim also took one wicket but remained expensive, conceding 42 runs in his four overs.
The victory marked a strong performance for Kandy Royals, who will look to build on this momentum as the tournament progresses. For Dambulla Sixers, the loss highlighted their reliance on Farhan’s batting and the need for greater contributions from the middle order. Despite the defeat, Farhan’s innings was a standout performance, showcasing his ability to take on the opposition’s bowling attack. The tournament continues to provide exciting cricketing action, with fans eagerly awaiting the next fixtures as teams battle for supremacy in the Lanka Premier League. The Royals’ win has boosted their position in the standings, while the Sixers will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the tournament.
