Thisara Perera steers Jaffna Stallions to second win

By M. Shamil Amit

Skipper Thisara Perera hit a career-best 97 not out to help the Jaffna Stallions beat the Dambulla Viiking by 66 runs in their Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 Cricket Tournament match played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota yesterday.

The 31-year-old dashing left-hander was in tremendous form as he collected his runs from just 44 deliveries inclusive of seven sixes and eight boundaries.

As a result, the Stallions piled up a massive 218 for seven from their 20 overs after they were put into bat.  
In reply, Viiking never looked like making a match of out of it and lost wickets at regular intervals while batting under tremendous pressure as they folded-up for a modest 152 in the last over.    

In fact, the Stallions captured four vital wickets during the first Powerplay of the innings and ensured that there would be no contest at the end. Pacemen Usman Shinwari (3/16), Binura Fernando (2/41) and Thisara Perera (2/23) took the bowling honours for the Stallions. 

Earlier, Thisara raced to his half century in 27 deliveries with the help of three sixes and four boundaries as the Stallions collected over 80 runs from the last five overs.

The dynamic all-rounder was also involved in two half century stands along with Chaturanga de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga after they had collapsed to 64 for five in the ninth over. Perera, bating at number seven, put on 51 for the sixth-wicket with de Silva (29) and added a further 55 for the seventh-wicket together with Hasaranga (24).