Tharanga century sets up massive win for Colombo

Veteran opening batsman Upul Tharanga smashed a sensational century as Colombo defeated Galle by 90 runs in the first game of the SLC T20 at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Opting to bat first Colombo made a gigantic 197 for 5 at the end of their 20 overs, largely thanks to Upul Tharanga who made an unbeaten 124 off 67 balls, where he struck 11 sixes along with 5 fours.
Colombo were shocked early when they lost 3 wickets for just 34 runs, but Tharanga and Shehan Jayasuriya put up a partnership worth 67 runs with the latter making 22 runs in 22 balls hitting two 4s.
Jeevan Mendis also produced a brilliant innings later on as he whacked the ball to all parts of the grounds scoring 30 runs off 13 balls with three 4s and two 6s.
Kasun Rajitha and K.N. Pieris picked up two wickets each for Galle, but 197-5 was a massive target on that wicket.
Galle innings got off to a horrible start as they lost three wickets for 5 runs inside 3 overs, but Angelo Perera fought hard playing a lone innings of 54 runs in 35 balls, which was the only significant innings from their team.
Off spinner Akila Dananjaya was the star for Colombo with the ball as he took 3 wickets for 13 runs, while Lahiru Madushanka picked up two wickets for 12 runs.
Colombo 197-5 (20) (U. Tharanga 124 n.o, J. Mendis 30 n.o, S. Jayasuriya 22,
K. Rajitha 2/38, K.N. Pieris 2/40)
Galle 107 (19.2) (A. Perera 54,
A. Dananjaya 3/13, L. Madushanka 2/12)