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Kandy Falcons (Source - Twitter)
The table-topper Kandy Falcons clashed with the defending champions Jaffna Kings in Match 6 of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Both teams were unbeaten in the tournament and thus, the fans expected a scintillating clash, just as it unfolded, on Saturday, December 10.
In a nail-biting contest, which went right down to the last bowl, the Falcons defeated the Kings by 3 wickets in the 6th match of LPL 2022. After winning the toss, Falcons skipper Wanindu Hasaranga opted to bowl first. Batting first, the Jaffna Kings posted a competitive total of 147 for the loss of 7 wickets.
For Kandy Falcons, Pathum Nissanka and Andre Fletcher opened the innings. At 18, Zaman Khan dismissed Andre Fletcher for 11 runs from 11 balls. His innings was laced with 2 boundaries. Meanwhile, Pathum Nissanka scored 29 runs from 24 balls including 2 boundaries.
Chamika Karunaratne's fireworks led the Falcons to victory
However, it was Ashen Bandara's 44 from 39 balls that helped the Kandy Falcons register a win. His innings was laced with 3 boundaries. He was well supported by Chamika Karunaratne, who made a quickfire 26 from 16 balls including 2 boundaries and 2 sixes.
For Jaffna Kings, Dunith Wellalage was the pick of the bowler as he scalped 2/17 from his 4 overs. Meanwhile, Maheesh, Zaman, James, and Vijayakanth all took one wicket each.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Kandy Falcons elected to bowl first. For Jaffna Kings, Avishka Fernando was the highest scorer with 31 runs from 26 balls. His innings included 4 boundaries. Shoaib Malik and Dunith Wellalage pitched in with 28 and 20 runs respectively. For Kandy Falcons, Fabian Allen, Wanindu Hasaranga and Isuru Udana picked two wickets each.
Falcons are still the table topper after winning all three matches while Kings are at the no.2 spot after winning two matches from the three matches they played. Two-time finalists Galle Gladiators will face the Colombo Stars on Sunday, December 11 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Gladiators are yet to open their winning account. Meanwhile, the Stars have played two games and won one of them.