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Jaffna Kings once again became LPL champions after defeating Galle Wonders by nine balls with 26 balls remaining in the final held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Opening batsman Kusal Mendis and number three batsman Rili Rosso performed brilliantly as the No.2 batsman partnership put up a record 185. Rosso became the first player to score two centuries in an LPL tournament, scoring 106 off 53 balls, including 9 fours and 7 sixes, while Kusal Mendis was in excellent form, scoring 72 off 40 balls, including 8 fours and 2 sixes, as the duo partnered to create a record in the history of the LPL and eventually won the title, the fourth title for Jaffna Kings in five editions of the tournament, having only missed out on the title last year.
Chasing a target of 185, Jaffna Kings lost only Pathum Nissanka, who was dismissed in the first ball, while the Galle bowlers were under pressure as Mendis and Rosso put on a show in this final for a crowd of over 27,000. Riley Rosso was named the Man of the Final.
Earlier, Galle Wonders batted first as Jaffna Kings bowlers got off to a good start and made an early breakthrough. Openers Niroshan Dikwella (5 off 8 balls) and Alex Hales (6 off 9 balls) returned to the field early and fast bowler Jason Behrendorff took the opening wicket as Galle scored 21 runs in the powerplay. Janith Liyanage hit a boundary early on but could not hold on for long and Asitha Fernando took the wicket as Galle struggled to 24 for 3 after 6.5 overs.
However, Tim Seifert and Bhanuka Rajapaksa managed to save the day by scoring 63 runs for the fourth wicket. Seifert scored 23 runs in the 11th over from Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, hitting two sixes and a four. This was the turning point of the innings.
Tim Seifert was three runs away from a well-deserved half-century target, hitting two fours and four sixes, while Asitha Fernando took his most precious wicket. The innings continued with dashing left-hander Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who was in excellent form, scoring 28 runs at the end of captain Charith Asalanka’s innings (16th over), the left-hander also reached his fifty with four sixes and a boundary, while Galle Marvels fought back strongly thanks to Bhanuka’s efforts.
Especially in the power-blasting innings (16-17), Galle Marvels scored 42 runs and Bhanuka led the way with a powerful knock. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Sahan Arachchige (16 off 14 balls) put on a stunning 72 runs for the 5th wicket in just 30 balls, which put them in a very strong position. Bhanuka Rajapaksa played a brilliant innings and was eventually bowled out for 82, his career best in T-20 Internationals. He hit 8 fours and 6 sixes, and Asitha Fernando took the third wicket in the 19th over, dismissing Rajapaksa. Galle Marvels eventually scored 184 runs for 6 wickets in the 20th over, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa was the one to bring the honours. Asitha Fernando was the most successful bowler for Jaffna, taking 3 wickets for 53, while Jason Behrendorff took 2 wickets for 18.
Chiefs score
Miracle of Galle 184 for 6 wickets in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 47, Banuka Rajapaksa 81, Sahan Araghchi 16, Dwayne Pretorius, Jason Behlendorf 2/18, Athisa Fernando 3/53, Azmatullah Omarzai 1/29)
Jaffna Kings 1 wicket in 15.4 overs 185 (Rilee Rossouw 106*, Kusal Mendis 72*, Dwaine Pretorius 1/18)
All Ratnavir
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