Can Galle Gladiators emulate Imran’s ‘cornered tigers’ of 1992?

Former Pakistan captain and Galle Gladiators coach Moin Khan during a training session. Galle Gladiators will take on Jaffna Stallions in the LPL final tonight at Suriyawewa.

by Rex Clementine

The finals of Lanka Premier League will take place tonight with tournament favourites Jaffna Stallions taking on giant killers Galle Gladiators at Suriyawewa. Galle Gladiators had a horrible start to the competition losing five games in a row. Their campaign is a reminder of Pakistan’s stunning World Cup win in 1992. Imran Khan’s side was almost eliminated from the competition in the first round itself when their captain urged the team to fight like ‘cornered tigers’ and they went onto win the World Cup beating favourites New Zealand in the semis and England in the finals.

Galle Gladiators narrowly edged Kandy Tuskers out on Net Run Rate and then in the semis they created a major upset beating table toppers Colombo Kings. A win in the final would complete one of the finest comebacks in the game.

Opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka has carried the Galle side single-handedly having scored 475 runs at an average of 67 and Strike Rate of 145. No other batsman has managed 300 runs in the tournament.

Galle’s heavy dependence on their spin bowling all-rounders has not given them the desired results and against a well grilled unit like Jaffna Stallions mistakes will be costly.

Jaffna Stallions have most bases covered and one of their weak-links is absence of a batsman who could play the anchor role. But their bowling is so versatile and skillful that they defend any modest target.

With 16 wickets to his name, Wanindu Hasaranga is the highest wicket taker in the competition and Thisara Perera has used him well as an attacking option. Not many have picked his wrong’un but even if they do, batsmen have to deal with his leg-break which has caused trouble.

When T-20 cricket was mushrooming, many believed that spin will have little impact in the game. To the contrary, wrist spinners have thrived.

So if Hasaranga is Jaffna Stallions key man, Lakshan Sandakan has done a fine job for Galle Gladiators. He has 11 wickets in the tournament but has played two games lesser than Hasaranga. Sandakan may not have the control of Hasaranga, but he still could be handful.

Mohammad Amir bowled a couple of hostile spells when the team most needed him and Galle Gladiators will be hoping he makes some early inroads for the likes of Sandakan to put pressure.

An interesting contest is on the cards tonight.