LPL 2022: Kandy Falcons defeat defending champions Jaffna Kings, Colombo stars thrash Dambulla Aura

There were two matches played on Wednesday in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2022 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Kandy Falcons beat Jaffna Kings in the first match of the day while in the second match Colombo Stars defeated Dambulla Aura brutally by 9 wickets.

Kandy Falcons are still the table toppers with 10 points while Jaffna Kings are at number two with 8 points. Colombo Stars are in the third position with 6 points.

Kandy Falcons vs Jaffna Kings

In the first match, the Falcons won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Pathum Nissanka and Andre Fletcher gave a good start to the innings as they both put up a quick 35-run partnership for the first wicket. Falcons' middle order couldn’t contribute anything to the scoreboard. Star allrounder Fabian Allen came to bat at no.8 and played a magnificent inning in the end. He scored 47 runs off just 23 balls which includes 3 fours and 4 maximums and helped the team to achieve a fighting total of 160 in 20 overs.

Chasing the target of 161, the Kings started their innings by losing the opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the very first over for only 4 runs. Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama stitched a really good partnership but as they both were dismissed, no one from the Kings were able to do anything to win the match as they lost the match by 10 runs in the end.

Colombo Stars vs Dambulla Aura

In the second match, Stars won the toss and opted to bowl first and the bowlers didn’t disappoint as they wrapped the Auras for 89 under 14 overs. Opener Lasith Croospulle chopped one on from Kasun Rajitha. Rajitha didn’t stop there as he proceeded to run riot, bulldozing his way through the Dambulla batting order. On a track that had a little for everyone, Rajitha maximized the swing on offer on his way to figures of 5 for 22

Chasing the target of 90, Stars too lost the wicket on the very first ball as Niroshan Dickwella was bowled by Pramod Madushan. Aura couldn’t take a single wicket after this as Stars ended up winning the match by 9 wickets with the help of Dinesh Chandimal (31) and Charith Asalanka (58).