12/07/2026
🏏 Match Summary | VALIANTS CRICKET CLUB vs CEYLON TITANS CC
📍 CIO Ground, Kirindiwela
🗓️ 11-Jul-2026 | Match No. 136
A huge target. A difficult chase. A fight that refused to disappear.
VALIANTS CRICKET CLUB went down by 31 runs against Ceylon Titans CC, but the final result tells only part of the story of a match filled with momentum swings, crucial partnerships, and a determined Valiants fightback.
Ceylon Titans won the toss and elected to bat first, beginning their innings with aggressive intent. Ni**od Anushka attacked early with 36 from just 22 balls, before Valiants began finding breakthroughs. The Titans moved to 113/4, but their middle order rebuilt strongly.
Supun Samarasekara played a composed innings of 50 from 63 balls, but the biggest contribution came from Dulaj Peiris. His 63 from 62 deliveries, featuring nine fours and a six, helped Ceylon Titans push towards a major total. Adeesh Nimasra's 47 from 41 balls also proved valuable as Titans reached 288 all out in 48 overs.
Despite the big total, there were standout performances with the ball for Valiants.
🔥 Damith Arjuna delivered a superb 10-over spell, claiming 3/41 with 44 dot balls, while Dhasra Kariyawasam continued his impressive form with 3/45 and 41 dot balls. Together, they claimed six wickets and ensured Titans were bowled out before completing their full 50 overs. Amishka Waduge and Ishara Chathuranga also picked up a wicket each, while two sharp run-outs added to the Valiants effort in the field.
Chasing 289, Valiants came out with positive intent.
Lakshan Hettiarachchi attacked from the beginning, striking four boundaries in a quick 19 from 15 balls. Amishka Waduge followed with a fluent 27 from 23, while Nuwan Hettiarachchi smashed 22 from just 16 deliveries. But a difficult period changed the complexion of the chase, with Valiants slipping from 93/3 to 95/5.
At that moment, the chase needed something special.
Sameera Dilshan and Damith Arjuna answered the call.
The pair began rebuilding the innings, refusing to let the match drift away. Sameera played the patient hand, absorbing pressure and compiling a fighting 46 from 60 balls, while Damith went on the attack.
And what an attack it was. 🔥
Damith smashed 54 runs from only 42 deliveries, launching six massive sixes and three fours at a strike rate of 128.57. His fearless counterattack dragged Valiants back into the contest and took the score from 95/5 to 194/6 before his dismissal in the 29th over.
Valiants continued to fight, but wickets and mounting pressure eventually slowed the chase. Sameera's dismissal at 228/8 was another major blow, and the innings closed at 251/9 after 46 overs, with the match decided by the DLS method.
🏆 MAN OF THE MATCH
🔥 Adeesh Nimasra
🏏 47 Runs off 41 Balls
💥 4 Fours | 4 Sixes
🎯 2 Wickets for 27 Runs in 4 Overs
⚡ 14 Dot Balls
A genuine all-round performance. His explosive 47 strengthened the Titans innings before his two crucial wickets helped disrupt the Valiants chase.
📊 RESULT
❌ CEYLON TITANS CC won by 31 runs (DLS)
💛 FINAL WORD
The scoreboard records a defeat, but this was a match where Valiants continued to fight even after the chase appeared to be slipping away. From Damith Arjuna and Dhasra Kariyawasam sharing six wickets, to Sameera Dilshan's determined innings and Damith's explosive six-hitting counterattack, there were moments of real character throughout the contest. The key moments may have gone the other way, but the response under pressure showed the spirit of this team. We learn, we regroup, and we move forward together. One result does not define the Valiants. The fight continues.
