The last time that the Lakstars team won a final was in 2006. Since then the team has only managed to get Runners up cups in dozens of Cricket finals they have played with several other teams. This time the opposition team had no answers against them. They bat brilliantly, bowled superbly and even field Fabulously. Lakstars batting line-up, finally came together in their Final match of the GRAN KAZ cup to overpower 777 by 128 runs. Lakstars opted to bat first after winning the Toss and right from the start they were well control in the game. Janaka who scored 22 runs fell in the 17th over on the first wicket to Anup and the score was 65. On form Sanka walked in as No.3 batsman but couldn’t stay long. Then the biggest blow happened during the next over, when Aruna (31 runs) tried to attempt a square cut and the ball hit his bat and then went on to hit the wickets. The team couldn’t continue with the Advantage of opening partnership as Lakstars scored another 66 runs for 7 wickets (126 for 7). Sanjeewa Dalpadhadu walked in and smacked four sixes and two fours to bring Lakstars total to 194. He was caught brilliantly at the deep midwicket boundary when he was on 48 runs and his fifth attempt to clear the boundary. Gayan also contributed with 18 runs.
An early wicket was vital for Lakstars as 777 had a target of 195 for 26 overs. They could have tried to play for a draw to share the cup with Lakstars by batting out the innings. Knowing that Lakstars looked to Dharma for his magical touch in the tournament where he has take 22 wickets and is the leading wickets taker. He sent 777 openers Krishna and Siva in 2 consecutive balls when the score was 2 with his superb bowling in the first over of the innings. Catch of the day was Janaka Bandula caught Babu’s shot brilliantly at the short leg from Suranga’s delivery. 777 were 42 for 5, and definitely nervous now in the 14th over. Not long after Lakstars charmed spinner Sohan came in to the attack and he found the stumps of 777 batsman’s frequently, almost during every over he bowled. He finished with 4 wickets or 12 runs, all of which were characterized by defeating the batsman in the flight. Then Skipper Janaka brought Dharma to finish the tail enders. Shnamugam Tharmenthiran (Dharma) finished his 7 overs for 5 wickets and considered only 19 runs to all out 777 for 66 runs.
A Henriette
