Srinagar: Colombo Strikers captain Niroshan Dickwella urged his teammates to learn from the best – Babar Azam – after Pakistan star batter led Strikers to first win in the Lanka Premier League 2023.
Babar Azam was adjudged player of the match for his gritty knock as Colombo Strikers beat B-Love Kandy by 27 runs.
Impressed by Babar’s performance, Niroshan Dickwella delivered a motivating post-match pep talk to the entire team, using Babar’s innings as an example for others to learn from.
“Learn from the best. He didn’t give up. It was not easy to bat on that wicket and he was there till the end. That inning gave us a good score,” Dickwella said.
Batting first Colombo Strikers suffered an early setback with the loss of their skipper Niroshan Dickwella for a mere 4 runs in the opening over.
However, Babar Azam, who opened the innings alongside Dickwella, demonstrated his tenacity and determination, gradually finding his rhythm despite the loss of another wicket early on, with Pathum Nissanka being run out for 15.
Babar then found a reliable partner in Nuwanidu Fernando, and together they built a crucial 60-run partnership, providing much-needed stability to the Strikers’ innings. However, the dangerous Mohammad Hasnain eventually dismissed Fernando for 28, leaving Babar to anchor the innings.
Undeterred by the fall of wickets at the other end, Babar displayed remarkable resilience, reaching his half-century in 48 deliveries. With the end of the innings approaching, Babar attempted to accelerate the scoring, managing a couple of boundaries off Wanindu Hasaranga and Isuru Udana.
Babar’s gritty knock of 59 runs from 52 balls played a crucial role in guiding Colombo Strikers to a respectable total of 157/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
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