Shakib al Hasan. Image Credits: AFP
The Lanka Premier League 2026 is in full swing, and the teams have been fighting it out for the knockout stages. Nevertheless, T20 franchise leagues are always filled with drama, and LPL 2026 has been no exception.
Within a span of just seven deliveries, an absolute thriller unfolded in the Galle Marvels vs Jaffna Kings match on July 23 with several dropped catches, poor bowling, and massive hitting all packed into that short period. While players like Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan were present on the field, the drama only intensified with moments that left the spectators speechless.
Shakib Al Hasan drops a sitter in LPL 2026
As Galle Marvels came out to bat first, they started off decently. As the 17th over arrived, the drama began in full swing. Dilshan Madushanka was bowling to Sahan Arachchige. On the last ball of the 17th over, a low full toss was scooped over the top of short fine leg by Sahan.
As the ball went up in the air, it looked like a sitter for Shakib Al Hasan, who was stationed at the position. Shakib settled underneath the ball but unfortunately dropped it, with immediate guilt and regret visible on his face, as Sahan earned a lifeline and a single.
But the drama had only just begun. The very next ball of the 18th over, bowled by Traveen Mathew to Sahan, was smashed for a massive six as it was a fuller-length delivery outside off.
The following delivery from Traveen resulted in another dropped catch that turned into a boundary. Sahan played a slog sweep to a length ball around middle, and after mistiming it, Dunith Wellalage at deep mid-wicket, despite settling underneath the ball, let it slip through his fingers as it landed on the turf and rolled over the rope for a boundary.
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Multiple dropped catches mar Jaffna Kings
After Sahan got his second life, the very next ball produced yet another dropped catch, this time from David Wiese. Sahan again slammed a full toss towards long-on, where Wiese spilled the chance, allowing the batter to complete his fifty off just 30 balls with the boundary.
The fourth ball of the 18th over saw Sahan hit another six, followed by a wide that conceded an extra run due to a missed stumping opportunity. The penalty delivery to Mohammad Nawaz was then smashed for a huge six.
Although Wellalage took the catch near the boundary rope, he stepped on the rope, handing Galle another maximum. The last ball of the 18th over again disappeared for six off Nawaz's bat, with Traveen Matthew conceding 34 runs in the over, the most expensive over in the history of the LPL.
Galle Marvels’ luck destroys Jaffna during chase
This outstanding performance from Galle Marvels helped them post a massive total of 193 runs, with Sahan top-scoring with 63 off 36 balls, while opener Chris Lynn had earlier contributed 46 off 22 deliveries.
Jaffna Kings failed miserably in the chase, losing four wickets inside the powerplay. Before even reaching the 100-run mark, Jaffna had already lost eight wickets, with only Dunith Wellalage trying to salvage the innings.
Nevertheless, the team was bundled out for 133 runs inside 18 overs as Galle Marvels moved to the top of the points table, while Jaffna Kings currently sit fourth in the five-team standings in LPL 2026.
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