Lanka Premier League: Jaffna Kings prevail in five-run thriller

Chamindu Wickramasinghe top scored for Jaffna Kings 

Visuals Credit: SLC 

By M. Shamil Amit

Jaffna Kings held their nerve to record a thrilling five-run win over Colombo Kaps in the seventh match of the Lanka Premier League T20 tournament at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday.

The victory was Jaffna Kings’ second of the tournament.

Chasing a challenging target of 180, Colombo Kaps endured a disastrous start and slumped to 52 for four in the ninth over.

However, skipper Kamindu Mendis, who top-scored with a fighting 58 off 42 deliveries, and Sharujan Shanmuganathan revived the innings with a valuable 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

The dismissal of Mendis with the score on 100 triggered another collapse as Colombo Kaps lost two more wickets and slipped to 114 for seven.

Wanuja Sahan and Milan Rathnayake then launched a recovery, adding 28 runs for the eighth wicket before Rathnayake was dismissed for a brisk 15 off eight deliveries.

Colombo Kaps entered the final over requiring 27 runs for victory, with only one wicket remaining. Sahan launched a spirited late assault as 21 runs came from the over, including three boundaries and a six, but the effort was not enough.

Colombo Kaps eventually finished on 174 for nine, with Sahan remaining unbeaten on 35 off 15 deliveries.

Lizaad Williams was the most successful bowler for Jaffna Kings, claiming three wickets for 30 runs, while Traveen Mathews and Dilshan Madushanka captured two wickets each.

Earlier, Colombo Kaps invited Jaffna Kings to take first lease of the wicket after winning the toss.

Openers Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara gave the Kings a solid start by adding 65 runs for the first wicket. Mishara made 39 off 30 deliveries, while Fernando contributed 34 off 28 balls.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Ibrahim Zadran then added 43 runs for the third wicket before Jaffna Kings lost two wickets with the score on 127 in the 16th over.

Wickramasinghe continued to attack and shared a useful 30-run partnership with Dunith Wellalage for the fifth wicket. He struck four boundaries and two sixes in an entertaining 43 off 22 deliveries.

Wellalage contributed 19 off 13 balls as Jaffna Kings finished on 179 for six from their allotted 20 overs a total they successfully defended in a tense finish.

Chief Scores:

Jaffna Kings: 179 for 6 in 20 overs (C. Wickramasinghe 43, K. Mishara 39, A. Fernando 34; S. Dahani 2 for 25, M. U. Rahman 2 for 33)

Colombo Kaps: 174 for 9 in 20 overs (K. Mendis 58, W. Sahan 35 not out, S. Shanmuganathan 26; L. Williams 3 for 30, D. Madushanka 2 for 12, T. Mathew 2 for 21)