LPL 2021: Match 9, Review: Thisara Perera scores a half-century as Jaffna Kings defeat Colombo Stars by 93 runs

Skipper Thisara Perera played a brilliant innings of 57 runs from 23 balls as Jaffna Kings defeated Colombo Stars by 93 runs in the ninth fixture of the Lanka Premier League 2021 at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

The Jaffna Kings posted a huge total of 207/6 in 18 overs in the rain-curtailed match before they bowled out Colombo Stars for 114 in 15.5 overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Wahab Riaz were the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/25 and 4/26 respectively.

Perera wreaks havoc at the Premadasa

Perera struck 5 sixes and 3 boundaries in his innings after Shoaib Malik set the platform with a compelling innings of 44 runs from 24 balls, laced with 2 sixes and 4 boundaries. Malik strung a partnership of 60 runs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore who smashed 40 off 21, and a 44-run partnership with Ashen Bandara, who made 42 off 30.

The comprehensive win took Jaffna Kings to the top of the points table with 6 points from 4 matches.

The Kings, led by Perera, have, well and truly, found their mojo in the ongoing edition of the tournament. The team didn’t play like the defending champions in their first match after Galle Gladiators thrashed them by 54 runs in the championship opener.

However, the team has kept improving and are currently placed at the atop the ladder. After defeating the Dambulla Giants, they didn’t have much troubles in getting past the Warriors and Kandy Warriors, who are languishing at the bottom of the table. They will next be facing the Warriors on December 12.

The Warriors, on the other hand, are in a bit of strife. They started their journey with a four-wicket win over the Gladiators, but have now faced back-to-back losses. The 93-run loss against the Kings have also taken a toll on their net run rate, which currently stands at -1.580. Their next game is against the Dambulla Giants on December 11.