LPL: Thisara Perera scores a half-century as Jaffna Kings defeat Colombo Stars by 93 runs

Skipper Thisara Perera played a brilliant innings of 57 runs from 23 balls as Jaffna Kings defeated Colombo Stars by 93 runs in the ninth fixture of the Lanka Premier League 2021 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday. The Jaffna Kings posted a huge total of 207/6 in 18 overs in the rain-curtailed match before they bowled out Colombo Stars for 114 in 15.5 overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Wahab Riaz were the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/25 and 4/26 respectively. Perera struck 5 sixes and 3 boundaries in his innings after Shoaib Malik set the platform with a compelling innings of 44 runs from 24 balls, laced with 2 sixes and 4 boundaries. Malik strung a partnership of 60 runs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore who smashed 40 off 21, and a 44-run partnership with Ashen Bandara, who made 42 off 30.

“As a batting unit, we did well. It is hard to grip the ball in these conditions. Good toss to lose as it is tough to grip the ball in these conditions. As a bowling unit, they are doing well and they don’t need me (laughs),” said Thisara Perera, Man of the Match and winning skipper as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The comprehensive win took Jaffna Kings to the top of the points table with 6 points from 4 matches.

Thisara Perera, Avishka Fernando combine to help Jaffna Kings beat Kandy Warriors

Jaffna Kings reigned supreme recently as well 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.

Rain forces Galle Gladiators vs Dambulla Giants match to be called off

The eighth match of the Lanka Premier League between Dambulla Giants and Galle Gladiators was called off following incessant rain on Friday. Galle Gladiators scored 18/0 in 1.2 overs in reply to Dambulla Giants’ total of 159/7 before the match was abandoned. Both teams picked up one point each from the game.

The Dambulla Giants Captain Dasun Shanaka and Ramesh Mendis were the highlights of their team’s batting card. Shanaka played an innings of 37 runs from 32 balls, laced with 3 boundaries and 1 six, while Mendis notched 33 runs from 23 balls. He struck 2 boundaries and 1 six.

Left-arm chinaman Noor Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers for the Galle Gladiators with figures of 2/24 in his four overs. Nuwan Thushara also took two wickets for the Gladiators.