Tag: Dambulla Giants vs Jaffna Kings

HAMBANTOTA: Jaffna Kings’ openers Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz batted brilliantly and partnered strongly before their bowlers crushed Dambulla Giants’ batting line-up, in the second qualifier of Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Chasing 211, the Giants’ batters, struggled throughout the innings, and none of their batters could go deep, the side, in the end, restricted to 187/9 in allotted 20 overs; losing the match by 23 runs.

Chamika Karunaratne, on the other hand, played exceptional innings down the order; smashing an unbeaten 75 off 47 balls, including 10 boundaries and two sixes. But, his heroic innings came a little late for the Giants, as the batter, in the end, could not pull off the match for his side.

For the Kings, Jayden Seales bagged three wickets for just 24 runs, while Thisara Perera and Maheesh Theekshana each picked two wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Suranga Lakmal, on the other hand, shared one wicket apiece.

Batting first, the Kings, had a dream start to their innings, with both their openers hitting half-centuries; putting a magnificent 122-runs stand. Gurbaz fell short after scoring a quickfire 70 off just 40 balls; smashing five boundaries and four sixes.

Fernando, on the other hand, kept going, and eventually scored the first century of this LPL season. Fernando scored 100 off just 64 balls; hitting 10 boundaries and four sixes.

With small contributions from the middle-order, the Kings, in the end, posted a massive total of 210/4 in 20 overs.

For the Giants, Lahiru Samarakoon picked two wickets for 30, while Karunaratne and Marchant de Lange each struck out a batter.

The Kings will now face Galle Gladiators in the league’s final on December 23, 2021.

READ: Thushara’s five-fer guides Gladiators to the LPL final

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings’ bowlers’ collective effort helped the Kings seal a thumping victory over Dambulla Giants in their fixture of Lanka Premier League, here on Tuesday.

Kings bowling attack trapped Giants batters completely. None of their batters were able to go deep and get the side into the winning position. Giants, in the end, were bowled out for just 110 in the 20th over. Chamika Karunaratne scored 18 followed by highest run-scorer of the side, Nuwanidu Fernando with 23 runs.

Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva each claimed three wickets. Whereas, Jayden Seales and Suranga Lakmal each took two wickets.

In response to Giants’ 110, Kings were also off to a shaky start, losing their in-form opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the combined score of 13.

The team appeared to be in trouble, but sensible knocks from Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Avishka Fernando brought the team back into the game.

Fernando scored 33 runs off 27 balls including one boundary and three maximums, while Tom smashed unbeaten 45 off 30 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes.

The Kings, in the end, chased down the total of 111 in 13th over with eight wickets left.

Imran Tahir and Nuwan Pradeep each struck out a batter for Giants.

Following this victory, the Kings have now claimed the third position on the points table, while Giants remain at fourth.

READ: LPL: Colombo Stars seal thrilling win over Galle Gladiators