Galle Gallants Beat Colombo Kaps to Reach LPL Final: Galle Gallants secured their place in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 final with a convincing six-wicket victory over Colombo Kaps at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday.
Chasing 177, the Gallants reached their target with 14 balls to spare, finishing on 177-4 in 17.4 overs.
Sam Harper once again proved decisive with the bat, producing a composed 77 off 51 balls to anchor the chase. The Australian opener combined with Charith Asalanka for a match-defining partnership of 126 runs from 85 deliveries.
The Gallants suffered an early setback when Thomas Rogers was dismissed for 13 in the third over. However, Harper and Asalanka quickly took control, steadily building the innings and putting the required rate under pressure.
Asalanka brought up a crucial 59 from 42 balls, striking four sixes and three fours. His dismissal ended the big partnership with the score on 147 in the 17th over.
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Harper followed soon after, having already done most of the damage. His 77 included four sixes and four fours and kept the Gallants firmly ahead in the chase.
Colombo Kaps briefly threatened to make the finish interesting by picking up quick wickets, but Galle captain Dasun Shanaka and Sahan Arachchige held their nerve. Shanaka remained unbeaten on 8, while Arachchige finished on 5 not out to complete the chase.
Ravindu Fernando was Colombo’s most successful bowler, claiming two wickets.
Kaps Recover From Early Collapse
Earlier, Colombo Kaps were asked to bat first and endured a difficult opening phase before recovering to post 176 in 18.5 overs.
Galle’s bowlers made a major impact in the powerplay, reducing Colombo to 52-5 inside six overs. With their top order struggling, Ravindu Fernando and Rubin Hermann stepped up with an important 70-run partnership from just 40 balls.
Fernando played aggressively, smashing five sixes and a boundary on his way to 48 from 27 deliveries. His attacking innings helped Colombo reach 122 by the end of the 14th over.
Hermann continued the recovery after Fernando’s dismissal, adding another 36 runs with the lower order. He eventually fell for a valuable 45 off 33 balls, with his innings featuring three fours and two sixes.
Malsha Tharupathi provided further momentum late in the innings, contributing 28 from 17 balls with three fours and a six as Colombo pushed their total close to 180.
For Galle Gallants, Asalanka and Sachindu Colombage claimed two wickets each.
The result means Galle Gallants will face Jaffna Kings in the LPL 2026 final, which will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.
