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LPL 2023: Jaffna Kings begin their title defence with a win

LPL 2023: Jaffna Kings begin their title defence with a win

01 Aug 2023

In the exciting opening match of the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023, defending champions Jaffna Kings emerged victorious with a 21-run win over Colombo Strikers at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

The LPL season 4 commenced with a grand opening ceremony, followed by the toss. Colombo Strikers Skipper Niroshan Dickwella won the toss and chose to field, putting Jaffna Kings in to bat.

The Jaffna Kings’ innings began with Nishan Madushka and Rahmanullah Gurbaz as the openers. However, their partnership was short-lived, as Naseem Shah dismissed Gurbaz after he had scored 21 runs off just 11 balls, including one four and two sixes. Gurbaz had just started to find his rhythm before being caught spectacularly by Ramesh Mendis.

Madushka’s time at the crease was also limited, as he was run out for 12 runs due to brilliant footwork by Chamika Karunaratne. Charith Asalanka struggled to find his form and was caught at long-off by Lakshan Sandakan for 12 runs, leaving the Kings at 66/3 in 8.4 overs.

Priyamal Perera joined Towhid Hridoy at the crease, and together they forged a 41-run partnership off just 26 deliveries, providing momentum to the innings. However, Matheesha Pathirana broke the partnership by dismissing Perera for 22 runs, after conceding two consecutive boundaries.

The young Bangladeshi star, Hridoy, showcased his confidence with the bat and scored the first fifty of LPL 2023, making 54 runs off 39 balls, including four fours and one six, before being dismissed by Chamika Karunaratne.

Dunith Wellalage (25*) and Skipper Thisara Perera (14*) contributed useful cameos, helping Jaffna Kings reach a total of 173/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana, Lakshan Sandakan, and Chamika Karunaratne shared four wickets among them.

In response, Colombo Strikers began their chase with Skipper Niroshan Dickwella and Babar Azam as the openers. Dickwella wasted no time and attacked left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka, hitting four, four, and six to finish the first over.

The opening pair added 34 runs before Babar Azam fell victim to Jaffna’s Skipper Thisara Perera, being bowled out for 7 runs. Pathum Nissanka, who came in as the No.3 batter, was removed by Hardus Viljoen for just 1 run.

Dickwella continued his aggressive approach against the Kings’ bowlers and reached his fifty off just 27 balls. However, he lacked support from the other end, and from a position of 78/2, Colombo Strikers suffered a collapse, being reduced to 87/5, including the wicket of Dickwella, who scored 58 runs off 34 balls, hitting nine fours and one six.

Chamika Karunaratne (23) and Ramesh Mendis (17) failed to maintain the required run rate, and the Strikers were eventually bowled out for 152 with just 2 balls remaining, handing a 21-run victory to the Jaffna Kings.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth bowled impressively in the middle overs and finished with figures of 2/17, while Hardus Viljoen claimed 3/31. Dilshan Madushanka took two wickets, and Skipper Thisara Perera also chipped in with one wicket.



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