Through a collaborative effort from their bowlers and a standout performance by Kamindu Mendis with a score of 44 runs, B-Love Kandy secured a convincing victory over Dambulla Aura by five wickets, clinching the coveted Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 title.

The toss was won by Dambulla Aura, the table-toppers, who elected to bat first. However, their decision to bat first did not yield the desired results, as their batting lineup struggled to justify the choice, managing a modest total of 147/4 in their allotted 20 overs against a B-Love Kandy bowling attack that missed the contributions of Hasaranga.

Dambulla Aura's innings began poorly, with Nuwan Pradeep removing Avishka Fernando (5) cheaply when the team's score was just 11 runs in the third over. Following this early setback, Sadeera Samarawickrama partnered with captain Kusal Mendis to rebuild the innings. Their partnership added 57 runs to the total, but their progress was slower than ideal.

In dire need of momentum, Dambulla Aura faced a significant setback as both Samarawickrama and Mendis fell in quick succession, leaving them struggling at 71/3 in 10.5 overs. Samarawickrama scored 36 from 30 balls with five boundaries, while Mendis' scratchy innings of 22 runs from 23 balls included three boundaries.

Amidst this slump, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Perera emerged as strong contributors for Dambulla Aura, forging a crucial 73-run partnership for the fourth wicket. This partnership injected some urgency into Dambulla Aura's innings before Mohammad Hasnain dismissed de Silva, who top-scored for his team with a brisk 40 off 29 balls, including three sixes. Perera remained unbeaten with a 31 off 25 balls, featuring two boundaries and a six. Among B-Love Kandy's bowlers, Chaturanga de Silva claimed two wickets, while Hasnain and Pradeep each secured one.

Facing a target of 148, B-Love Kandy exhibited determination and skill to chase down the total on the second-to-last delivery, thanks to a match-winning boundary from Lahiru Madushanka (5* off three).

The foundation for the chase was set by B-Love Kandy openers Mohammad Haris and Kamindu Mendis, who established a solid partnership of 49 runs. Haris contributed 26 off 22 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six, before Noor Ahmad of Dambulla Aura provided a breakthrough by dismissing him in the seventh over.

Kamindu Mendis continued to hold his ground, forming another crucial partnership with Dinesh Chandimal worth 45 runs. However, Mendis departed in the 13th over after scoring 44 runs, leaving B-Love Kandy needing 54 runs from 44 deliveries.

Following Mendis' dismissal, B-Love Kandy faced setbacks as Chandimal and Chaturanga de Silva fell in quick succession. Chandimal played a cautious innings, scoring 24 runs from 22 balls with three boundaries.

A pivotal turning point arrived when Asif Ali, batting at number six, launched a counter-attack that injected renewed vigor into the game. His brief but impactful cameo of 19 runs from 11 deliveries, including two boundaries and a six, was essential in shifting the momentum.

With a crucial 25-run partnership alongside experienced Angelo Mathews, Asif Ali's efforts set the stage for Mathews to navigate the team towards victory. Mathews' unbeaten 25 off 21 deliveries, combined with his composed performance under pressure, steered B-Love Kandy to their first-ever LPL title.

In recognition of his match-defining contribution, Angelo Mathews was named the player of the match.