The Jaffna Kings outclassed the Kandy Falcons in a shortened game of seven overs per side, beating them by 4 wickets in a powerful batting display led by skipper Charith Asalanka and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Charith Asalanka unsurprisingly chose to bowl after winning the toss in a seven-over affair which was shortened due to heavy rains in Colombo throughout the day.
Jason Behrendorff, taking the new ball for the Kings, was outstanding in the opening over. Behrendorff just conceded 6 runs while getting the prized scalp of Andre Fletcher.
Then Mohamed Haris joined Dinesh Chandimal in the middle, both showed some outstanding ball striking, scoring on either side of the wicket. Mohomed Haris scored a quick-fire 30 off just 13 deliveries. Putting the Falcons in a commanding position mid-way of the innings.
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Mohamed Haris was dismissed by Jason Behrendorff who returned for his final over. Behrendorff finished with figures of 3 for 10 in his two overs. Behrendorff showed experience and class in tough wet conditions. Restricting the Falcons to a decent and achievable target for the Kings.
The Falcons got off to a flying start with the ball, dismissing the Kings’ top three batters for just 13 runs within the first thirteen balls of the innings. Then, the Kings’ skipper Charith Asalanka took matters into his own hands and stepped on the gas, scoring a rapid 26 off just 9 deliveries, which included four massive sixes
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With Asalanka getting dismissed, incoming Azmatullah Omarzai hammered three sixes off his first three deliveries to ensure the Kings crossed the line safely with no drama.
With this victory, the Jaffna Kings booked their spot in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive time. Additionally, the Galle Marvels also qualified for the playoffs thanks to the Jaffna Kings’ triumph over the Kandy Falcons.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinesh Chandimal | b Asitha Fernando | 21 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 161.54 |
| Andre Fletcher | c Vishwa Fernando b Jason Behrendorff | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Haris | c Ahan Wickramasinghe b Jason Behrendorff | 30 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 230.77 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Fabian Allen b Jason Behrendorff | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Angelo Mathews | c Lahiru Samarakoon b Azmatullah Omarzai | 11 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 137.50 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | not out | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Ramesh Mendis | not out | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 250.00 |
| Extras | 7 (b 0 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 6, pen 0) |
| Total | 78/5 (7 Overs, RR: 11.14) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Behrendorff | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 5.00 | |
| Asitha Fernando | 2 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 9.50 | |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 10.00 | |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 28.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | b Angelo Mathews | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Mohammad Haris b Angelo Mathews | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rilee Rossouw | c Wanindu Hasaranga b Dasun Shanaka | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Avishka Fernando | run out (Andre Fletcher) | 16 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 228.57 |
| Charith Asalanka | c Mohammad Haris b Wanindu Hasaranga | 26 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 288.89 |
| Lahiru Samarakoon | c Mohammad Hasnain b Wanindu Hasaranga | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | not out | 24 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 400.00 |
| Ahan Wickramasinghe | not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 2 (b 0 , lb 0 , nb 0, w 2, pen 0) |
| Total | 79/6 (5.5 Overs, RR: 13.54) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo Mathews | 2 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 11.00 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 2 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 13.00 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 18.00 | |
| Andre Fletcher | 0.5 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 26.00 | |
