LPL: Thisara Perera, Avishka Fernando combine to help Jaffna Kings beat Kandy Warriors by 14 runs

Jaffna Kings reigned supreme in their match against Kandy Warriors in a rain-curtailed Lanka Premier League match at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, as Thisara Perera’s Jaffna Kings won a high-scoring game by 14 runs via DLS method. The run riot was triggered by terrific half centuries by Jaffna Kings Captain Thisara Perera who bludgeoned 53 off just 21 balls decked with 6 sixes and 2 boundaries, and Avishka Fernando who pounded 53 off 23 illuminated by 7 sixes. The duo helped their team post a total of 181 for 6 in 14 overs in the rain-curtailed contest.

Leading the run chase for the Kandy Warriors was Rovman Powell with an astounding 19-ball 61 laced with 2 boundaries and 7 sixes, while Charith Asalanka smashed 42 off 19 balls. Asalanka and Kennar Lewis set up the chase with an opening partnership of 64 runs in 6 overs. Thereafter, Lewis and Powell added 81 runs for the second wicket. However, the Warriors couldn’t maintain their momentum following Powell’s dismissal in the 12th over and eventually fell short of their target.

“Need to give credit to the bowlers”

Thisira Perera sounded pleased with the performance of his bowlers after the triumph.

“Need to give credit to the bowlers as they bowled well in such tough conditions. It was difficult to hit against the yorkers. I had a good partnership with Avishka, really happy with our batting unit. It’s too late (for the celebrations) tonight. We are already exhausted and done,” he said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Suranga Lakmal was named as the Player of the Match.

“I was backing my strength. I am working hard on my yorkers and today I gave my hundred percent. It’s a tough wicket to bowl on, so we need to bowl the hard length,” he said.

Kandy Warriors captain Angelo Perera hailed the performance of Rovman Powell, admitting that they expected the game to end in their favour with two balls left.

“We were expecting the game to end with two balls left because Powell was hitting the ball well. We will miss him. But Bopara replaces him. I thought we could have done better, out of the three games, we should have won two. Our mistakes cost us those two games,” he said.

Philip Salt scores 62 off 34 as Dambulla Giant defeat Colombo Stars by 18 runs

Opening batsman Philip Salt struck a 34-ball 62 to help Dambulla Giants defeat Colombo Stars by 18 runs in the Lanka Premier League at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. The Giants posted a total of 195 for 6 off their 20 overs to which Colombo Stars replied with 177 all out off 18.5 overs.

Najibullah Zadran also lit up the stadium with an innings of 54 runs from 40 balls, laced with 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. He added 31 runs with Salt before a 77-run alliance for the fifth-wicket with Skipper Dasun Shanaka, who played a brisk 25-ball 38 laced with 2 sixes and 3 boundaries. Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers for Colombo Stars with figures of 3 for 34.

The Colombo Stars began their run chase positively reaching 71 for 3 off 8.4 overs, but they couldn’t keep up their momentum as they lost 2 wickets in quick succession, leaving them at 78 for 5 in 10.4 overs.

Thereafter, the Stars kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually were bowled out for 177 in 18.5 overs.

Nuwan Pradeep led the way with the ball for Dambulla Giants with figures of 3 for 50. Tharindu Ratnayake, Imran Tahir and Chamika Karunaratne picked up two wickets each in the match.

Brief Scores: Dambulla Giants 195/6 (Philip Salt 62, Najibullah Zadran 54, Dushmantha Chameera 3-34) beat Colombo Stars 177 all out (Dinesh Chandimal 26, Tom Banton 23, Nuwan Pradeep 3-50) by 18 runs.