SLPL: Naved propels Rudras to 15-run win

Pakistan all-rounder takes three wickets as Nagas lose in SLPL.

Superb bowling by Rana Navedul Hasan helped Uthura Rudras finish their Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL) campaign on a high, beating Nagenahira Nagas by 15 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.

After managing 149 for six in the allotted quota, Rudras restricted Nagas to 134 for nine with Pakistan all-rounder Naved finishing with three for 21 in his four overs.

Even a 28-ball 43 by Colin de Grandhomme could not take Nagas past the finish line as Naved got rid of him and Shaminda Eranga in the same over. A spirited 37-run partnership between Suraj Randiv (27) and Ajantha Mendis (14) gave Rudras some anxious moments but Rudras prevailed to register their second win of the tournament.

Earlier, Rudras overcame a poor start to post a competitive total. Reduced to 57 for three in the ninth over, Chamara Kapugedera hit a 32-ball 43, laced with five boundaries and a six, to propel his team close to 150.

The Sri Lankan was supported well by Dillon du Preez who made a quickfire 19 off just 10 balls.

The defeat was Nagas’s second in five games.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2012.