Kosala Kulasekara powers Troopers to big win

An unbeaten half-century from Kosala Kulasekara laid the platform for Western Troopers to beat Yaal Blazers by 44 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Troopers were 101 for 5 in the 15th over, having just lost Kithuruwan Vithanage for a 31-ball 44, when Kulaseara walked in. He proceeded to smash an unbeaten 23-ball 54, with three fours and four sixes, to power Troopers to 165 for 8.

In reply, Blazers never really got going, apart from a 63-run fourth-wicket stand between Sahan Wijeratne and Chamara Kapugedera. But they lost both batsmen in successive overs to slip to 95 for 6 in the 14th over. They never recovered, and were eventually all out for 121, with offspinner Maduka Liyanapathiranage finishing with figures of 3 for 4.

Upul Tharanga's 59 propelled Udarata Rulers to a seven-wicket win over Southern Express in the second match of the day. Chasing 142 to win, Rulers reached their target with 16 balls remaining. Tharanga struck 10 fours and a six in his 34-ball innings. After his dismissal, Shehan Jayasuriya kept the chase ticking along with an unbeaten 31-ball 37, and finished the match in the company of Thilina Kandamby, who remained not out on 18.

Having chosen to bat, Express lost two early wickets before Danushka Gunathilaka helped them recover by scoring a 46-ball 54. No one stayed long enough with him to forge a big partnership, and Express steadily lost wickets to be bowled out with one ball remaining. Medium-pacers Dilhara Lokuhettige, who took three wickets, and Asela Gunaratne, who took four, were Rulers' most successful bowlers.