After retiring hurt earlier, Sri Lanka Test batter Oshada Fernando defiantly returned to hit a century, putting his team in command in the country's first-class tournament final.
In the title clash of the 2024/25 National Super League 4-Day tournament at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, Galle were asked to bat first. They suffered an early setback when opener Tharanga Dilshan (7) fell to Mohamed Shiraz, leaving them at 22-1.
Despite the early loss, Oshada partnered with No.3 Dinesh Chandimal to steady the innings. They put up a century stand, but Fernando’s knock was cut short when he retired hurt on 52. Nipun Dhananjaya, the next batter, failed to capitalise, triggering a collapse that reduced Galle to 190-5.
Chandimal was the chief aggressor, smashing seven fours and a six in his 80 off 105 balls. Just a week earlier, he had staged another rescue act – this time against Colombo under even more dire circumstances – scoring 132 off 195 balls to lift his team from 102-5 to a commanding 435.
Galle finished day one on 210-5 with Dunith Wellalage unbeaten on 27.
Kusal Mendis in the 2025 PSL:
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 26, 2025
111 runs @ 37, SR: 191.37
In his maiden PSL season, he boasts the highest strike rate among all batters who have faced at least 50 deliveries this year 💪 pic.twitter.com/MePNCLhc1j
Oshada makes remarkable comeback with century to put Galle in control
Wellalage was the first to fall on day two, caught off Shiraz for 34 (48 balls). Oshada, meanwhile, looked as fluent as he had the previous day, appearing completely untroubled by his injury scare on day one. Captain Ramesh Mendis partnered with him briefly but managed only 31. During this partnership, Oshada brought up his century and eventually reached 120, a vigilant 188-ball knock punctuated by 14 boundaries.
Defending their total, Galle ripped through the opposition’s top order, reducing them to 138-5 with Nimsara Atharagalla claiming four wickets. Only Ron Chandraguptha (65) offered meaningful resistance as Dambulla limped to stumps at 154-5 on day two.
