Twitter Reactions: Jaffna Stallions topple Dambulla Viiking to secure final berth

The Viiking were bundled out for 128 in 19.1 overs as Jaffna Stallions sealed their spot to meet Galle Gladiators in the decisive clash on Wednesday.

By Pratyay Tiwari

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3 Min Read

Johnson Charles
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Johnson Charles. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

It has been that kind of a tournament, the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). After the ouster of the second-placed Colombo Kings yesterday, the toppers Dambulla Viiking were toppled by the Jaffna Stallions in the second semi-final of the tournament. Electing to field first after winning the toss, the Viiking skipper was left searching for answers as the opponents got to a strong start.

Although as many as 115 of the total 165 that Stallions scored were scored by Avishka Fernando and Johnson Charles, who powered the team through their 68-run stand for the first wicket. Maneuvering the bowlers well, both the openers played with free hands, however, it was Charles who played the aggressor. Angelo Perera struck in the 9th over when Fernando (39 from 26) holed out to Angelo Perera after he failed to middle a length delivery.

Charles stands as the lone warrior

Coming in next, Charith Asalanka secured his end with the bat, however, the larger chunk of the 43-run stands for the second-wicket belonged to Charles (76 from 56) as Asalanka (10 from 8) merely ensured to rotate the strike. Once Pushpakumara got rid of the right-hander, a rather sorry story unfolded for the Stallions as six out of the seven who batted next could not even take their score into the double digits.

Skipper Thisara Perera’s self-promotion did not materialize either as failed to get elevation while attempting to clear long-off but instead picked Anwar Ali. Both Silvas, Chaturanga, and Dhananjaya, were run out. And so were Wanindu Hasaranga and Suranaga Lakmal, as they finished for a sub-par 165 for 9.

Dambulla Viiking surrender

During the chase, Viiking suffered a couple of early blows as Samit Patel edged one of Suranga Lakmal straight to Shoaib Malik stationed at deep third man, and Angelo Perera soon followed as Dhananjaya de Silva opened his account with the ball. That is when Niroshan Dickwella (29 from 18) and Upul Tharanga (33 from 39) tried to rebuild the innings with their 44-run stand. However, once Dickwella was trapped LBW by Asalanka, the story went chaotic for the Viiking.

They lost 5 for 34 in the middle-phase as they completely surrendered in front of the opposition. The tournament’s leading wicket-taker Hasaranga had another outstanding night as he bowled a maiden and bagged 3 wickets giving 15 in his 4. Usman Shinwari contributed well in the field as he created a couple of run-out opportunities to effect a collapse. Eventually, the Viiking were bundled out for 128 in 19.1 overs as Jaffna Stallions sealed their spot to meet Galle Gladiators in the decisive clash on Wednesday.

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Lanka Premier League 2023Dambulla AuraJaffna Kings