At the completion of the fifth and final-week matches of the National Super League (NSL) 4-day Tournament 2023, Jaffna, Galle, Kandy, and Dambulla have booked their spots in the semifinals. 

Both matches that concluded during the weekend ended in draws. Dambulla were up against Colombo in Hambantota and batted first, scoring 341 runs in their first innings. Ashan Priyanjan top scored with a century while Himesh Ramanayake picked up four wickets. In response, Colombo were bowled out for 257 with Roshen Silva top scoring with 65. Lahiru Samarakoon was the pick of the bowlers for Dambulla with six wickets. 

In the second innings, Dambulla scored 401 thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 186 by Minod Bhanuka. At stumps on the final day, Colombo were 110 for three. Team Dambulla, who claimed first innings points in this drawn encounter, secured a place in the semifinals which will be played from 23-26 February.

Team Galle took on Jaffna in Galle during the weekend as well. Batting first, Jaffna was cleaned up for 130 thanks to Mohommad Shirza’s five-for. In response, Galle made 258 with a century for Sohan de Livera. Shashika Dulshan picked up four wickets for Jaffna. 

In the second innings, Jaffna posted a mammoth 584 for nine before declaring their innings. Lahiru Madushanka top scored with 194 runs. At stumps on Day 4, Galle were 50 for three in their second innings. Team Galle retained their place at the top of the points table as they claimed first innings points in this drawn game. 

The first semifinals will be played between Galle and Kandy at the R. Premadasa Stadium from 23-26 February. The second semifinals will be played between Dambulla and Galle at the P. Sara Oval on the same days.

So far in the tournament, Jaffna spinner Sashika Dulshan is leading the wicket-takers’ list with 13 wickets at an average of only 14.53. Kavishka Anjula from Galle is also on 13 wickets while Asanka Manoj (12), Asitha Fernando (11) and Ramesh Mendis (11) complete the top five in the list. 

In the top run-getters list, Minod Bhanuka is leading with 393 runs at an average of 78.60. Ahan Wickramasinghe is at second with 349 runs while Sandun Weerakkody (327), Lahiru Madushanka (307), and Oshadha Fernando (261) complete the top five in the list.