LPL,14th Match,Jul 26 2026- Chamika Karunaratne's Unbeaten 72 Powers Galle Gallants Defeat Dambulla Sixers by 44 Runs

Chamika Karunaratne Stars in Batting Masterclass

After being put in to bat, Galle Gallants got off to a flying start through Sam Harper and Nurul Hasan.

Harper scored a fluent 41 off 27 balls, while Nurul Hasan blasted 29 from just 13 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and a six.

The momentum continued as Charith Asalanka contributed 31 off 20 balls, followed by Sahan Arachchige's aggressive 28 from 18 balls.

The innings truly belonged to Chamika Karunaratne, who played a sensational unbeaten knock of 72 off just 34 balls. His innings featured 4 fours and 6 sixes, striking at an incredible 211.76, providing the perfect finish for the Gallants.

Despite Dushmantha Chameera claiming an impressive 5 wickets, Galle Gallants still finished on a formidable 220/6 after 20 overs.

Dambulla's Chase Never Gains Momentum

Needing 221 for victory, Dambulla Sixers started positively with Niroshan Dickwella, who scored 32 off 19 balls, while Sahibzada Farhan added 11.

However, regular wickets halted the chase.

Sachindu Colombage removed Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, and Gulbadin Naib, putting the Sixers firmly on the back foot.

Middle-order batters failed to build partnerships, although Marques Ackerman played an entertaining 23 off 14 balls.

Late resistance came from Ramesh Mendis, who remained unbeaten on 39 from 22 balls, while Maheesh Theekshana added an unbeaten 16, but the target proved far beyond reach.

Dambulla Sixers eventually finished on 176/7, handing Galle Gallants a convincing 44-run victory.

Gallants Bowlers Seal the Win

The bowling unit backed up the batting performance with disciplined spells.

Sachindu Colombage was the standout performer, finishing with 3 wickets for 17 runs in his four overs.

He received excellent support from:

Akif Javed: 1/40
Eshan Malinga: 1/32
Mohammad Nawaz: 1/6

The bowlers consistently broke partnerships and prevented Dambulla from mounting a serious challenge.

Match Summary
Galle Gallants – 220/6 (20 Overs)
Chamika Karunaratne – 72* (34)
Sam Harper – 41 (27)
Charith Asalanka – 31 (20)
Nurul Hasan – 29 (13)
Sahan Arachchige – 28 (18)
Dambulla Sixers – 176/7 (20 Overs)
Ramesh Mendis – 39* (22)
Niroshan Dickwella – 32 (19)
Marques Ackerman – 23 (14)
Best Bowlers (Galle Gallants)
Sachindu Colombage – 3/17
Mohammad Nawaz – 1/6
Eshan Malinga – 1/32
Akif Javed – 1/40
Best Bowler (Dambulla Sixers)
Dushmantha Chameera – 5/55
Player of the Match

Chamika Karunaratne was named Player of the Match for his explosive unbeaten 72 off 34 balls, an innings that transformed a strong total into a match-winning one.

Conclusion

Galle Gallants showcased their strength in both batting and bowling to register a commanding 44-run victory over Dambulla Sixers. Chamika Karunaratne's explosive finish powered the Gallants beyond the 220-run mark, while Sachindu Colombage's brilliant spell ensured the Sixers never came close to the daunting target. The emphatic win gives Galle Gallants valuable momentum as the LPL 2026 season continues.