The Lanka Premier League is going at full tilt with all teams looking to secure a playoff position. On Monday, two teams, Colombo Stars and Jaffna Kings clashed in the 19th match of the tournament.
Both of these teams had secured their position in the playoff and were playing for pride and form before heading into their respective qualifier and eliminator matches.
Coming onto the match, Jaffna Kings who were with 12 points before the match, won the toss and elected to bowl first. Colombo Stars with 6 points were at third and came into batting hoping to earn two points and go into the playoff with confidence.
Openers Dinesh Chadimal and Niroshan Dickwella failed to give a good start to the team and both got out on a duck. With the team struggling from the get-go Nishan Madushka held the fort with his 35. Dominic Drakes with 38 off of 20 also helped but the team could not get to a good total. In 20 overs Colombo Stars managed to only make 128 runs at a loss of 9 wickets.
Jaffna Kings captain Thisara Parera took a fifer and broke Stars back. Coming onto chasing what seemed like a small total, the Jaffna Kings did not break a sweat and got to the target in just 15.5 overs. Opener batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a scintillating knock of 69 off of 40 with the help of 8 fours and 4 sixes. Avishka Fernando also came good with the bat with his 40 off 38 and remained unbeaten to take his team across the finish line.
Following this win, Jaffna Kings have gained two points and are now with 12. They however still stay second in the league table and will now go against Kandy Falcons in the first Qualifier. The team that loses that match will have another chance at the final and will have to play against the winner of Colombo Stars vs Galle Gladiators.
Match Summary:
Colombo Stars: 128/9
Dominic Drakes: 38(20), Nishan Madushka: 35(44)
Dhananjaya Lakshan: 1-9-2
Jaffna Kings: 131/2
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 69(40), Avishka Fernando: 40(38)
Thisara Perera: 3-14-5, Asitha Fernando: 4-1-2
