LPL 2021: Qualifier 2, Review: Jaffna Kings defeat Dambulla Giants by 23 runs to book a place in the final

The Jaffna Kings reserved a place in the Lanka Premier League final after beating Dambulla Giants by 23 runs on Tuesday. After posting a humungous total of 210/4, the Kings restricted the Giants to 187/9 in their 20 overs. Jayden Seales was the pick of the bowlers for the Kings with figures of 3/24.

Philip Salt and Captain Niroshan Dickwella got the Giants off to a great start with an opening partnership of 39 runs in 3.3 overs, however, after Suranga Lakmal dismissed Salt, the Giants kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Chamika Karunaratne played an extraordinary inning of 75* runs from 47 balls, but he didn’t find support from the other end as the Giants eventually fell short of their target.

Earlier, Jaffna Kings’ opening batters Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz put up a fantastic opening stand of 122 runs in 13.2 overs. Fernando scored a century off 64 balls, while Gurbaz notched 70 runs from 40 balls. Fernando struck 10 boundaries and 4 sixes during his innings, meanwhile, Gurbaz smashed 5 fours and 4 sixes during his knock.

Jaffna Kings would be keen on retaining their title

“I am really happy today with the way our batters batted. There was pressure after losing the first playoff. As a unit, everything was done really well. The final is just another match. My boys did a really good job today and hope they can do well in the finals,” said Perera after winning the crucial fixture.

” I am extremely pleased with the hundred. I was slightly disturbed after the last game, but I did better here,” said Avishka Fernando after being declared as the player of the match for his stunning century.

Continuing their successful run, Jaffna, who are the defending champions of the LPL, have yet again reached the finale and will be keen on retaining their title. It was due to Fernando’s blitz in the crucial event that they were able to post a huge target of 210 runs on the board and win the game by 23 runs.

On the other hand, Galle Gladiators have also reached the finale by defeating Jaffna in the first Qualifier of LPL 2021.