Harper, Arachchige Script 2nd Perfect Night for Galle Gallants in LPL 2026

Galle Gallants completed their second successful night in Colombo with a five-wicket victory over Colombo Kaps, chasing 190 with four balls remaining in Match 3 of the Lanka Premier League 2026.

Sam Harper shaped the chase with a measured 65 from 45 balls, absorbing pressure after two early wickets before accelerating alongside Charith Asalanka. Sahan Arachchige then took control of the closing stages, striking an unbeaten 38 from only 16 deliveries to carry Galle to 191 for 5 in 19.2 overs.

Colombo had earlier posted 189 for 8 after captain Kusal Mendis made 79 and Ben McDermott added 57. Their 97-run fourth-wicket partnership gave the Kaps a strong platform, but a late collapse prevented them from pushing closer to 200.

Galle’s response combined Harper’s stability with Arachchige’s fearless finishing. The result gave the Gallants two wins from two matches and strengthened their early position in the tournament after their convincing victory over Jaffna Kings in the LPL 2026 opener.

TL;DR

Galle Gallants beat Colombo Kaps by five wickets after chasing 190 in 19.2 overs. Sam Harper scored 65 from 45 balls and earned the Player of the Match award, while Sahan Arachchige smashed an unbeaten 38 from 16 balls. Kusal Mendis had earlier made 79 for Colombo, with Ben McDermott contributing 57. Akif Javed took four wickets, but Colombo’s bowlers could not defend 189.

Colombo Kaps vs. Galle Gallants: Match Summary

Match detail	Information
Competition	Lanka Premier League 2026
Match	Colombo Kaps vs. Galle Gallants
Venue	Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Colombo Kaps	189/8 in 20 overs
Galle Gallants	191/5 in 19.2 overs
Result	Galle Gallants won by five wickets
Player of the Match	Sam Harper
Top scorer for Colombo	Kusal Mendis, 79 off 53
Top scorer for Galle	Sam Harper, 65 off 45
Best bowling	Akif Javed, 4/40
Match-winning finish	Sahan Arachchige, 38 not out off 16

Colombo Lose Early Wickets but Keep Attacking

Galle captain Dasun Shanaka chose to field, and his decision produced an early reward.

Rubin Hermann struggled to settle before Shanaka bowled him for one in the second over. Colombo did not respond cautiously. Sadeera Samarawickrama attacked Mohammad Nawaz for 15 from seven balls, while Kamindu Mendis struck 10 from five.

Both batters departed during a frantic powerplay, but the Kaps still reached 68 for 3 after six overs.

Samarawickrama fell to Nawaz at 43, and Akif Javed removed Kamindu after Galle successfully reviewed a caught-behind decision. Colombo had lost three wickets, yet their scoring rate remained above 11 runs per over.

Kusal Mendis then began rebuilding alongside Ben McDermott.

Kusal Mendis and McDermott Build the Innings

Mendis started aggressively and relied heavily on his power against spin. His innings included seven sixes, compared with only two fours, an unusual boundary pattern that reflected his willingness to attack down the ground.

McDermott complemented him with cleaner scoring through the field. The Australian reached his half-century from 30 balls, having struck five fours and two sixes.

Their partnership gave Colombo control of the middle overs.

The fourth-wicket pair added 97 runs and carried the score from 65 for 3 to 162. Mendis reached fifty from 34 balls, while McDermott maintained a strike rate above 165 throughout his stay.

Galle’s bowlers found it difficult to break the stand. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth provided the most economical spell, conceding only 24 from four overs, but he could not claim a wicket.

The partnership ended in the 17th over when Eshan Malinga trapped McDermott lbw for 57. Colombo reviewed the decision, but the original call remained.

That dismissal changed the final phase of the innings.

Akif Javed Stops Colombo’s Late Charge

Colombo had reached 161 for 3 after 16 overs and appeared capable of scoring more than 200.

Instead, they lost five wickets for 28 runs.

Akif removed Janith Liyanage for five before producing a productive final over. Malsha Tharupathi and Wanuja Sahan fell from consecutive deliveries, giving the left-arm seamer four wickets.

Mendis was run out for 79 at the beginning of the final over after facing 53 balls. His dismissal removed Colombo’s last established batter at the worst possible moment.

James Neesham finished unbeaten on 12, but the Kaps managed only three runs from the final five balls.

Akif’s figures of 4 for 40 looked expensive, yet his wicket-taking impact prevented Colombo from making full use of their platform. Shanaka also contributed with one wicket and a direct role in Mendis’ run-out.

The late collapse left Colombo on 189 for 8, a strong total without becoming an overwhelming one.

Galle’s Chase Starts With Early Pressure

Galle needed 9.50 runs per over and lost Lasith Croospulle during the third over.

Hasan Mahmud had him caught behind for 17, giving Colombo an early breakthrough. Mehidy Hasan Miraz followed at 50 for 2, caught by Liyanage off Wanuja Sahan after making 13.

Harper remained calm.

The wicketkeeper-batter avoided reckless shots while keeping the required rate under control. He collected boundaries when Colombo missed their lengths and allowed the more aggressive Asalanka to settle.

Galle reached 54 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, leaving the chase evenly balanced.

Harper and Asalanka then added 72 for the third wicket.

Harper Gives Galle Control

Harper’s innings provided the structure that Galle needed.

He reached his half-century from 38 balls, with six fours and one six at that stage. His acceleration became more noticeable once the partnership with Asalanka passed fifty.

Asalanka made 28 from 21 deliveries, including two sixes, before Hasan Mahmud removed him at 122.

His dismissal gave Colombo another opportunity.

Harper departed soon afterward for 65, caught by Neesham off Sahan. At 134 for 4 after 14.5 overs, Galle still needed 56 runs from 31 balls.

The required rate had climbed beyond 10.80 per over, and both established batters had returned to the pavilion.

Arachchige changed the equation almost immediately.

Sahan Arachchige Produces a Fearless Finish

Arachchige attacked from the beginning and refused to allow Colombo’s bowlers to settle.

His unbeaten 38 came from only 16 balls and included seven fours. He scored at a strike rate of 237.50 without hitting a six, finding gaps with placement and timing rather than relying solely on power.

The left-hander’s aggression pushed Galle to 150 in the 16th over.

Shanaka contributed eight from six balls before Neesham bowled him, leaving the Gallants at 163 for 5 after 17.2 overs. Colombo still had a chance, with Galle requiring 27 from 16 deliveries.

Mohammad Nawaz ensured the pressure did not last.

He struck two sixes in his unbeaten 16 from eight balls and supported Arachchige through the decisive final partnership. Together, they completed the chase with four deliveries unused.

Arachchige’s innings gave Galle the closing power that Colombo had lacked. Harper earned the Player of the Match award for anchoring the chase and taking two catches, but the final assault proved equally important.

Colombo’s Bowling Falls Apart at the Wrong Time

Colombo received useful spells from Sahan and Neesham.

Sahan took 2 for 19 from three overs and removed both Miraz and Harper. Neesham conceded 26 from three overs while dismissing Shanaka.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman also offered control, returning 0 for 30 from four overs.

The problem came from the other end.

Binura Fernando conceded 54 without taking a wicket, while Hasan Mahmud gave away 31 from only 2.2 overs despite claiming two wickets. Tharupathi allowed 20 from two overs.

Galle targeted the weaker matchups and ensured Colombo could not build sustained pressure. The Kaps took wickets at useful moments, yet each breakthrough was followed by another aggressive partnership.

The difference between the teams appeared most clearly in the closing overs. Colombo lost wickets and slowed down. Galle lost Harper and Shanaka but continued attacking.

Gallants Show Their Batting Depth Again

Galle entered the chase without relying on a single explosive innings.

Harper controlled the middle, Asalanka supported him, Arachchige changed the tempo, and Nawaz finished the job. Four different batters contributed to the chase at important stages.

That depth follows the pattern established in their first victory, when Asalanka and Shanaka led the batting before Eshan Malinga dominated with the ball. Galle’s evolving campaign can be followed through The Sports Encounter’s dedicated Lanka Premier League coverage.

The Gallants have now shown two different routes to victory.

They defended 213 against Jaffna. One night later, they chased 190 against Colombo.

Harper’s composure made the chase possible, but Arachchige’s finishing gave it authority. Galle are already beginning to look like one of the tournament’s most balanced teams.

Where Colombo Lost the Match

Colombo’s defeat did not come from one isolated mistake.

Their middle-order partnership created a winning position, but the final four overs produced only 28 runs and five wickets. A total above 200 looked realistic before McDermott’s dismissal.

The bowlers then conceded too many boundaries during the final phase of Galle’s chase. Harper’s dismissal offered Colombo a genuine opening, yet they could not contain Arachchige.

Mendis and McDermott gave the Kaps a strong batting foundation. Sahan bowled an excellent spell. Still, Colombo failed to control the most important moments.

Galle did.

That difference delivered their second victory and left Colombo searching for their first points of the LPL 2026 season.

FAQs

Who won Colombo Kaps vs. Galle Gallants?

Galle Gallants won by five wickets after reaching 191 for 5 in 19.2 overs.

Who was Player of the Match?

Sam Harper earned the award after scoring 65 from 45 balls and taking two catches.

How many runs did Kusal Mendis score?

Kusal Mendis made 79 from 53 balls, including two fours and seven sixes.

What did Sahan Arachchige score?

Arachchige struck an unbeaten 38 from 16 balls, hitting seven fours.

Who took the most wickets in the match?

Akif Javed claimed 4 for 40 for Galle Gallants.

How many matches have Galle Gallants won in LPL 2026?

Galle won their opening two matches, beating Jaffna Kings and Colombo Kaps. Their opening victory was also covered in The Sports Encounter’s first LPL match report.