The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 kicked off on December 6, Tuesday and the first match turned out to be a one-sided affair. Jaffna Kings and Galle Gladiators faced off against each other in the first match and it was the former who dominated the game throughout.
As things stand, it was the Gladiators who won the toss and elected to field first. Much to the stupefaction of the fans, the Kings got off to a poor start and could eventually put on a meagre total on the board at the end of the first innings.
Concerning the first innings, the Sri Lankan star Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Afghanistan perished in quick succession and the latter, who is known for his grit and aggression, could only contribute 1 run to the team’s scoreboard. After toiling hard for more than an hour, the Kings managed to put on 137 runs on the board on the back of a well-made 30 from Dunith Wellalage and Shoaib Malik.
Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings fight hard in first game of LPL 2022
As far as the Gladiators’ innings is concerned, it was their skipper Kusal Mendis who top scored with the bat and lifted the team single-handedly. To add more, it was Mendis who reached the 50-run landmark and kept the team in the race.
Eventually, it was Jaffna Kings who won the game by 24 runs, despite a fightback from the Gladiators in the second innings. Prior to the start of the first game of the tournament, Mendis said that they would look to play an aggressive game and added that they opted to play with three pacers and two spinners for the game.
“I’ll try to play my natural game, and hopefully I’ll score more runs again. Last year our team played well, hope to do good this year as well. We have three fast bowlers and two good spinners in our team,” Mendis was quoted as saying prior to the start of the match.
The Kings would look to carry on with the form and prove their prowess in the ongoing edition. The Gladiators, on the hand, would hope to take home the positives from the game and make a comeback in the next game.
As things stand, let us take a look at a few Twitter reactions to the match between Jaffna Kings and Galle Gladiators:
Epic choke lol #LPL2022
— Viz (@Viz6767) December 6, 2022
Why Binura Fernando is not bowling?#LPL2022 #LPLT20
— Quinnie ?? (@Quinnnie_) December 6, 2022
The highlight of KM's innings so far is the running between wickets. Top class. #LPL2022 50*
— Pavan Karunarathne (@pavan_118) December 6, 2022
— D H I L S H A T H (@Dhilshath_) December 6, 2022
Want another wicket from Binura#LPL2022 #LPLT20
— Quinnie ?? (@Quinnnie_) December 6, 2022
The best Sri Lankan youngsters can learn from @realshoaibmalik is how to remain fit and prolong their careers. At 40, he's still one of the fittest in the field. #Inspiration #LPL2022
— Pavan Karunarathne (@pavan_118) December 6, 2022
That is what happens when you have Pakistani batting line-up #LPL2022 #GalleGladiators
— Tan? (@StarsAtaraxia) December 6, 2022
Turning out to be an exciting game #LPL2022 #LPLT20
— Bhanuka Mendis (@bhanuka_mendis) December 6, 2022
