LPL 2022: Jaffna Kings extend their winning run, Dambulla Aura’s hopes come to an end

There were two matches played on Monday in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Jaffna Kings beat Colombo Stars in the first match while Dambulla Aura defeated Galle Gladiators in the second match.

Kings are currently placed in the second position on the points table, whereas Colombo Stars are in the third spot. This also means that Dambulla are out of the tournament while Gladiators finished in the 4^th position.

Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Stars

After winning the toss, Jaffna Kings captain Thisara Perera invited Colombo Stars to put runs on the scoreboard. The stars had a bad start as they lost both openers without scoring a single run. They lost 4 wickets for 16 runs and were in trouble. 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.

Chasing the target of 130 runs, openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando started aggressively and stitched a 105-run stand for the first wicket. Gurbaz’s magnificent knock of 69 runs off just 40 deliveries came to an end in the 12^th 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 14^th over of the innings. Fernando remained unbeaten on 40 and led the team to victory by 8 wickets.

Dambulla Aura vs Galle Gladiators

Gladiators captain Kusal Mendis opted to bat first after winning the toss. Openers Thanuka Dabare and Mendis started really badly and in the 4^th over Dabare got out to Matthew Forde for just 7 runs. Coming at no.3 Oshada Fernando was also dismissed in the very next ball of the same over. Coming at no.6 Nuwanidu Fernando played a brilliant knock of 63 runs of 42 deliveries including 3 fours and 5 sixes. No other batter could contribute anything to the scoreboard. Forde's brilliant bowling display was a treat to watch as he clinched 4 wickets in his 4 overs while conceding only 11 runs.

Chasing the target of 130 runs, Aura too had a bad start as they lost their first wicket in the first over. However, it was Forde’s day as he performed with the bat as well, he smashed a brilliant half-century and helped the team to chase the target in under 15 overs. Aura won the match by 4 wickets.