LPL 2021- 64 ball-100 from Avishka Fernando guides Jaffna Kings to the finals of Lanka Premier League 2021. In Qualifier 2, between Dambulla Giants and Jaffna Kings has beat the former by 23 runs in the high-scoring match.
While earlier in the first Qualifier, Galle Gladiators defeated Jaffna Kings to become the first team to enter the finals of LPL 2021. Kusal Mendis’s 85 runs knock in the first qualifier helped his side to beat Jaffna Kings by 64 runs.
Interestingly both the teams of the first qualifier will face each other again in the finals tomorrow. Currently, Jaffna Kings sets at the top in points table followed by Galle Gladiators at second place in the league.
In the tournament, Jaffna Kings has 6 wins out of 8 games played the most among other teams. Galle Gladiators and Colombo Stars have 4 wins out of the 8 games both played. But with a better net run rate, Galle Gladiators qualified for the knockout games. In the second qualifier, Dambulla Giants won the toss and decided to bowl first.
LPL 2021 – Avishka Fernando sensational innings in crucial game
After losing the first qualifier to Galle Gladiators, the pressure was on the Jaffna Kings. Earlier Dambulla Giants had defeated Colombo Stars in the eliminator game. With the advantage and winning momentum Dambulla Giants’ decision to bowl first completely backfired.
13.2 overs Jaffna Kings added 122 runs on the board with some pure class batting from Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (70). The team was heading towards the big score but Karunaratne removed Gurbaz to put the break on the scoreboard.
With 6 overs left and kept one end secure. Earlier Avishka Fernando had smashed 5 sixes in an over against Kandy Warriors. In the 20 overs, Jaffna Kings posted 210 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Avishka Fernando (100) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (70) contributed majorly.
Dambulla Giants start off brilliantly
Chasing 211, Dambulla Giants has added on 39 runs in just 3.3 overs. But the wicket of Philip Salt has changed the perception of the match completely.
After this wicket, Dambulla Giants lost the wickets at regular intervals and was not in the match at any time. Though Chamika Karunaratne played unbeaten innings of 75 runs there was no support from another end to chase the target.
Dambulla Giants at one stage was 129/8 but Karunaratne’s valiant effort took the team close to the target but eventually lost it without any support. Dambulla Giants scored 187 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
LPL 2021 – Mohammad Amir as usual fiery send off of Avishka Fernando in Qualifier 1
Before the second Qualifier, Jaffna Kings had played against Galle Gladiators in first qualifier. Batting first, Galle Gladiators posted 188 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Kusal Mendis (85) and Danushka Gunathilaka (55) innings helped his side for big score.
Chasing 189 runs, Avishka Fernando sent the first ball for six of Mohammad Amir. But the next ball Amir ripped off the stumps of Fernando with an inswinger. Brief scores: Jaffna Kings 210 for 4 in 20 overs (Avishka Fernando 100, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 70) beat Dambulla Giants 187 for 9 in 20 overs (Chamika Karunaratne 75 not out; Jayden Seales 3/24) by 23 runs.
