Jaffna Kings clinch a last-ball victory against Dambulla Sixers in a thrilling LPL 2024 match! © Twitter (@StatsofARY)
At the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the thrilling battle between the Dambulla Sixers and the Jaffna Kings marked the fourth match of the Lanka Premier League 2024. A magnificent century from Kusal Perera (102 runs) for Dambulla Sixers and a blitz from Avishka Fernando (80 runs) for Jaffna Kings set the stage for a dramatic finish that went down to the very last ball.
Match Summary
Dambulla Sixers 191/2 (20) | |
| Kusal Perera 102 (52) | Dhananjaya de Silva |
| Nuwanidu Fernando 40 (35) | Jason Behrendorff |
| Mark Chapman 33 (23) | Asitha Fernando |
Jaffna Kings 197/6 (20) | |
| Avishka Fernando 80 (34) | Nuwan Thushara |
| Charith Asalanka (c) 50 (36) | Mustafizur Rahman |
| Pathum Nissanka 27 (18) | Mohammad Nabi |
Toss: Jaffna Kings won the toss and decided to bowl.
Stadium: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Result: JK won by four wickets
Man of the Match: Avishka Fernando(JK) – 80 (34)
Dambulla Sixers Set a Challenging Target
Jaffna Kings captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to field first. Dambulla Sixers openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Perera started cautiously, but Gunathilaka was dismissed early by Dhananjaya de Silva. This brought in Nuwanidu Fernando, who formed a crucial partnership (57 runs) with Perera to steady the innings.
Perera, in sublime touch, took the Jaffna Kings bowling attack to the cleaners, smashing a brilliant century (102 runs off 52 balls) with ten fours and five sixes. Nuwanidu Fernando (40 runs) and Mark Chapman (33 runs) chipped in with valuable contributions in the middle order.
Jaffna Kings bowlers fought back well in the later stages, with Dhananjaya de Silva (2/25) and Jason Behrendorff (0/40) leading the attack. Dambulla Sixers finished their innings with a competitive total of 191/2 on the board.
Jaffna Kings Fight Back with Grit
Chasing a stiff target, Jaffna Kings openers Pathum Nissanka (27 runs) and Kusal Mendis (68 runs) provided a solid start. However, wickets fell regularly in the middle overs, with Mohammad Nabi (1/20) keeping things tight for the Dambulla Sixers.
Just when Jaffna Kings seemed to be losing control, the young Avishka Fernando came to the rescue. He played a swashbuckling knock of 80 runs off just 34 balls, including seven sixes, to single-handedly revive the chase. Charith Asalanka (50 runs) also played a crucial knock, providing valuable support at the other end.
A Last-Ball Finish for the Ages
The tension was palpable, with six runs required off the last over, bowled by the young spinner Nimesh Vimukthi. Dambulla Sixers needed a miracle, and Jaffna Kings required to hold their nerve.
The first two balls went for dots, followed by a single. Mohammad Nabi then smashed a six-over long-on, bringing the equation down to 1 run needed off two balls. Unfortunately, Nabi dismissed the following ball, leaving Akila Dananjaya on strike with the scores level.
Dananjaya desperately sprinted for a second run after a scrambled single, and a direct hit from the fielder went to the wicketkeeper’s end. Replays showed a thrilling finish, with Dananjaya’s bat just in time to dislodge the bails, securing a dramatic victory for the Jaffna Kings by four wickets with the very last ball of the match.
Key Takeaways
- Kusal Perera’s magnificent century for Dambulla Sixers.
- Avishka Fernando’s match-winning knock for Jaffna Kings.
- A dramatic last-ball finish that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Looking Ahead
This nail-biting encounter sets the tone for an exciting LPL 2024 season. Both the Dambulla Sixers and the Jaffna Kings will look to build on their performances in their upcoming matches. The tournament promises to be a closely contested affair, with several teams vying for the coveted trophy.
