Defending champions Jaffna Kings defeated Colombo Stars by 8 wickets in the 19th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 on Monday. Kings are currently placed at the second position on the points table whereas Colombo Stars are at the third spot.
After winning the toss, Jaffna Kings captain Thisara Perera invited Colombo Stars to put runs on the scoreboard. The stars had a really bad start as they lost both of their openers without even scoring a single run. They lost 4 wickets for 16 runs and were in trouble. However, Nishan Madushka and Ravi Bopara tried to run the scoreboard but Bopara got out in the 10th over of the innings.
Madushka’s struggling innings also came to an end in the 17th over. He scored 35 runs off 44 balls including only 1 six at a strike rate of 79.55. Dominic Drakes’s fiery knock, in the end, helped Stars to achieve a respectful total of 128 runs after losing 9 wickets in 20 overs. Kings displayed a brilliant bowling performance as every bowler was able to dismiss at least one batter each. Perera and Shoaib Malik took 2 wickets each for their team.
Easy win for the defending champions
Chasing the target of 130 runs, openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando started aggressively and stitched a 105-run stand for the first wicket. They made the target look even smaller and easy to achieve. Gurbaz’ magnificent knock of 69 runs off just 40 deliveries came to an end in the 12th over. He smashed 8 fours and 4 sixes.
Coming in at no.3, Shoaib Malik failed again as he was dismissed after scoring only 4 runs in the 14th over of the innings. But it seemed to be very late for the Stars as the target they set for the Kings was already very short and the Kings’ openers made it look too small. Jeffrey Vandersay and Drakes were the only bowlers who were able to dismiss any batter from the opposition. Fernando remained unbeaten on 40 and led the team to victory.
Here’s how people reacted:
Arey Ek match toh jeetne do!#LPLT20 #lpl
— Cricketbugs (@Cricketbugs0) December 19, 2022
. @teamjaffnakings end the league stage of @LPLT20 2nd in the table.
— Ahamed Nishadh (@ahamednishadh) December 19, 2022
Play offs next. I feel like we'll get a #Jaffna v #Kandy final.. #LPLT20
Gurbaz in #LPLT20 Today.
— Akash #AmiKKR #IPLAuction (@AkashKkrian) December 19, 2022
69 Runs
40 Balls
8 Fours
4 Sixes#AmiKKR #IPL2023Auction
Kia hogaya mere king ko? 💔#shoaibmalik #LPLT20 pic.twitter.com/yf0RIcTa8O
— Kifayat Ali (@KiffayatAli) December 19, 2022
@RGurbaz_21 is on fire 🔥🔥
— DeshRaj Meena (@meenadeshraj) December 19, 2022
Completes Fifty in just 30 Balls.
Excited to see him in @KKRiders squad. @KkrKaravan @KKRUniverse @KRxtra #KKR #LPLT20 #lpl #IPL2023Auction #IPL pic.twitter.com/FD1Gn4EM9Q
Colombo Stars : 128/9 (20 ov)
— Ishara (@Ishara23032) December 19, 2022
Jaffna Kings : 131/2 (15.5 ov)
Jaffna Kings won by 8 wickets
Player of the match : Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Jaffna Kings)#LPL2022 🏏 pic.twitter.com/9xUP7mTiaw
Jaffna Kings 131/2 * v Colombo Stars 128/9 #Cricket
— Rob (@mysportscores) December 19, 2022
Record Alert 🚨
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) December 19, 2022
Jaffna Kings openers, Avishka Fernando and Rahmanulla Gurbaz scored 105 runs for the 1st wicket in today's match against Colombo Stars
This is the 6th time Avishka was involved in century partnership in LPL & the most by any player. #sportspavilionlk #LPL2022 pic.twitter.com/Wct1duWZfg
#LPL2022 CS vs JK:
— Ada Derana (@adaderana) December 19, 2022
Jaffna Kings beat Colombo Stars by 8 wickets.
CS – 128/9 & JK – 131/2 in 15.5 overs (Gurbaz 69, Avishka Fernando 40*)
– https://t.co/JglUrbZsVu
