The three-time champions, Jaffna Kings, booked their place in the final of the Lanka Premier League 2024, securing a thrilling 1-run win over the defending champions, Kandy Falcons, in Qualifier 2 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Kandy Falcons decided to bowl first after winning the toss as they brought Pavan Rathnayake replacing Chamath Gomez. Jaffna Kings on the other hand also made two changes to their XI after losing the Qualifier 1 against Galle Marvels.
Nissanka and Mendis added 47 runs for the opening wicket in 5.4 overs before the latter perishing to Chathuranga for 17 off 19. Rossouw was cleaned up with a beauty from Ramesh which reduced Jaffna to 67/2.
The keeper batter was in good touch right from the beginning of his innings and went onto register his first half-century of the season off just 23 balls. Jaffna middle order failed to play their part as Avishka, Asalanka and Dhananjaya had fallen cheaply, leaving them at 137/5 in 16 overs.
However, Omarzai provided them the finishing touches, also helped Mendis to play his game. The opener registered his maiden LPL hundred within 51 balls, hitting a couple of boundaries against Shanaka in the penultimate over.
The Afghan batter was dismissed in the final over after playing a fine cameo of 13-ball 26 helped Jaffna Kings finish on 187/7. Mendis, who became the fifth centurion of the season, smashed an unbeaten 105 coming off just 54 deliveries, compiling with 12 fours & 5 sixes.
On the bowling front, Chathuranga was exceptional, finishing with 2/22 in his 4 overs. Ramesh bowled only two overs, but also bagged two wickets for 10 runs while Hasnain was too expensive despite picking up two scalps.
The Kandy openers off to a flying start, but Allen castled both of them to pull things back. Fletcher was the aggressor for them at the top, smashing a 21-ball 38. Haris also fell cheaply after getting a start.
Skipper Hasaranga promoted himself, but perished for 13. Viyaskanth removed inform Kamindu for 32 when he tried to hit him for the second consecutive six. Mathews too failed to get going, becoming Allen’s fourth victim.
When the Falcons required 38 from the last two overs, Ramesh and young Rathnayake never let them down as they snatched away 21 off the penultimate over bowled by Behrendorff.
During that over, the former was caught at backward-point on a high full-toss, but it was given as a no-ball where the youngster hit a maximum off the free-hit. 17 runs were needed from the last over as Ramesh got 12 from 3, taking the equation to four off the last ball.
However, the former got away with another full-toss and only managed to sneak through for a couple as Jaffna Kings secured one-run win to reach the final. He smashed an unbeaten 30 within just 11 balls, but could not prevent his side from a defeat.
Allen, who was absolutely brilliant for the Kings with the ball, bagged four wickets for 24 runs while Viyaskanth also took three crucial scalps. Kusal Mendis named Player of the Match for his superb century as Jaffna Kings will face Galle Marvels today in the LPL 2024 Final.
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