Malik, Perera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings registered a seven-wicket win over Kandy Warriors as Shoaib Malik and Thisara Perera played blistering knocks to help their team win the rain-hit match in Lanka Premier League.

Malik and Perera played brilliant knocks to help the side chase down the 95-runs total in the ninth over. Malik scored unbeaten 14 runs off just nine balls including two boundaries, while Perera smashed 29 off just 13 balls, including four boundaries and a six.

Earlier, the top order also made small contributions to help the side chase down the total.

For the Warriors, Bhinura Fernando, Sachindu Colombage, and Nimesh Vimukthi each struck out a batter.

Batting first, the Warriors were off to a decent start as the openers laid a solid foundation. The opening pair added a 35-runs partnership.

Ahmed Shehzad looked promising but was stopped by his countryman, Malik, who castled the batter on 22.

Following Shahzad’s dismissal, Charith Asalanka recorded an important partnership with Minod Bhanuka. The pair added 49 runs before Bhanuka dismissed on 20. The pair played sensibly but were a touch too slow. The rest of the batters made small contributions at the death, and the Warriors, eventually, restricted to 94/2 in the allotted 12.2 overs. Asalanka top-scored with 44 off 34 balls laced with two boundaries and as many sixes.

For Kings, Malik and Wahab Riaz each took one wicket.

For his all-around performance, Malik was awarded as the player of the match.

With this victory, the Kings have claimed the top position in the points table, while the Warriors remained at fourth.

READ: Bopara, Moores drive Warriors to maiden victory in LPL

Avishka, Perera lead Jaffna Kings to victory in Lanka Premier League

COLOMBO: Jaffna Kings registered 14-runs win over Kandy Warriors as Avishka Fernando and Thisara Perera played blistering knocks to help their team win rain-hit match in Lanka Premier League.

Avishka and Perera played brilliant knocks to help the side amassed a massive 181-run total in the allotted 14 overs. Avishka scored 53 runs off just 23 balls including seven sixes, while Perera too, smashed 53 off just 21 balls, including two boundaries and six sixes.

Later, the lower order also made small contributions to help the side post a massive total on board.

For Warriors, Shiraz Ahmed bagged three wickets. Whereas, Nimesh Vimukthi, Al-Amin Hossain and Kamindu Mendis each struck out a batter.

Chasing 182 in 14 overs, Warriors were off to a decent start as the openers laid solid foundation. The opening pair added 64-runs for the first wicket before Charith Asalanka was dismissed.

Asalanka smashed a quickfire 42 off just 19 deliveries including five boundaries and two sixes.

Following his wicket, Rovman Powell joined Kennar Lewis and put on a show. Powell was too hot to handle as the batter went berserk, scoring 61 off just 19 balls. The pair appeared to have pulled the game back into their favor before Powell dismissed.

The wickets began to tumble at the other end which resulted in Kennar going defensive and he too, soon dismissed, scoring 41 off 36 deliveries including three boundaries and two sixes.

Warriors’ batting tail could not go big at the death, and the side, eventually, restricted to 166/5 in their allotted 14 overs.

Jayden Seales took two wickets for Kings, while Chaturanga de Silva and Suranga Lakmal shared one wicket apiece.

Kings’ triumph over Warriors has earned them second position on the points table, while Warriors are at the bottom.

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