Colombo Kaps revived their Lanka Premier League campaign with a tense four wicket triumph over Dambulla Sixers in Match 17 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on July 29.
Dambulla chose to take first strike after winning the toss and finished on 174 for 5 from their 20 overs. Their innings was built around Reeza Hendricks, who once again showed his reliability at the top of the order.
Coming in at number three, the South African produced a polished 80 from 54 balls. His knock featured nine fours and three sixes, while also giving him a third fifty in the 2026 competition. Hendricks held the innings together before Gulbadin Naib supplied the late acceleration.
Naib attacked from the outset and blasted 33 from only 13 deliveries. His brief but damaging contribution contained four fours and two sixes, helping Dambulla finish with a total that appeared capable of testing the Colombo batting unit.
The Kaps responded positively, with Rubin Hermann setting the tempo during the opening stages. He struck 48 from 26 balls, finding the rope eight times and clearing it once. His aggression ensured the required rate remained under control despite wickets falling at key moments.
Kamindu Mendis then guided the pursuit with a measured 39. The captain absorbed pressure and kept the scoreboard moving, while Ben McDermott added an important 33 to strengthen Colombo’s position.
The chase remained competitive deep into the innings, but the Kaps reached the target during the 19th over with four wickets still available. The result delivered their fourth success of the tournament and provided a timely response after their previous setback.
Dushmantha Chameera and Akila Dananjaya were Dambulla’s leading bowlers, collecting two wickets each. However, their efforts were not enough to prevent Colombo from completing a valuable comeback victory in a gripping Pallekele contest.
