Match Report: Lions Edge Past Hawks in Thriller
On a sunny Saturday at Denton Park, the Lankan Lions emerged victorious over the Hornby Hawks in a nail-biting finish. In a dramatic encounter, the Lions held onto their unbeaten record, securing a thrilling 1-wicket victory with 3 balls to spare.
After a shaky start, the Hawks posted a competitive 163/9 in 40 overs. They were struggling at 92/6, but a late 55-run counterattacking partnership revived their innings. Sanjeewa (3/12) and Sudewa (2/17) were the pick of the bowlers for Lions.
The Lions’ chase got off to a disastrous start, losing 4 wickets for just 30 runs. However, Jerome and Dilip dug in and provided some much-needed stability, fighting through the middle overs and gradually lifting the score past 60. Despite their efforts, the Lions were still on the ropes, staring down the barrel at 80/7, with the Hawks on the verge of victory.
But Captain Akila had other plans. Calm under pressure, he anchored the innings, showing composure beyond his years. He was well-supported by Shameera, whose patient knock of 20 helped keep the scoreboard ticking. Together, the duo started to turn the tide, gradually reducing the required rate and showing the Hawks that this game was far from over.
With 20 runs still needed from 2 overs, Shameera fell trying to accelerate the chase, leaving the Lions with just two wickets in hand. The pressure was now squarely on Akila, but the captain kept his head leading his team home. In the end, with 3 balls to spare, Akila struck the winning runs, a composed and timely knock of 51* under pressure, securing a thrilling victory for the Lions.
Lions are now 4 from 4 this season, maintaining their perfect record in a game that had it all – drama, pressure, and a thrilling finish. 🦁💪