JK VS DG MATCH 8

That is it from this game but the action in the Lanka Premier League 2022 continues on Monday, the 12th of December with another doubleheader. In the first game of the day, Kandy Falcons will take on Galle Gladiators and that game will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). After that, Colombo Stars will go up against Jaffna Kings at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). You can join us early for the build-up of both those games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Thisara Perera, the captain of Jaffna Kings says that he has to give credit to the batters and bowlers and it was easy for him and as a captain, his job was made easy for him. Mentions that the way Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando played he feels that he cannot expect anything more from them. Also adds that everyone contributed their bit and informs that they would like to give chances to the players on the bench. Hopes to continue playing good cricket.

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Dambulla Aura says that they took the right decision of bowling first but the bowlers were simply poor. Goes on to express a bit more frustration towards the bowling effort and applauds Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando for the way they played. Mentions that they need to perform better and need to show their class and win games to get to the playoffs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his sensational batting effort. Gurbaz starts by thanking the almighty and says that he enjoys playing in Pallekele and he was used to this wicket. Tells that he always tries to be positive and he talked to the coach and management to find his own zone. Mentions that he just tries to play his own game.

The presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Dasun Shanaka opted to chase as his team like to do that but he would have had no idea that his side would be chasing 241 runs to win. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando just broke the back of the Dambulla bowlers early on and put on a 100-plus stand with Gurbaz simply hitting the ball at will. Both batters did get out in quick succession but the carnage was already done. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Shoaib Malik played fiery cameos to take the score well over the 200-run mark. Apart from Sikandar Raza, every bowler for Dambulla had an economy rate of 11 or more runs per over. With a near-impossible task at hand, Dambulla Aura crumbled under pressure and succumbed to a third straight loss to start off their campaign.

Jaffna Kings had a record-breaking total on the board and knew that if they picked up wickets at regular intervals then the game would be won and that's exactly what happened. As soon as Binura Fernando provided the early breakthrough, the Kings were able to pick up a couple of more wickets. Dasun Shanaka did trouble them for a while but Suminda Lakshan got rid of him with still plenty needed. After that, the pitch was so good for batting that Dambulla were able to find the fence but the Kings kept on picking wickets. Binura Fernando ended with a four-fer and was the star with the ball as the Kings maintained their unbeaten record against Dambulla in the competition.

Dambulla Aura had a daunting task ahead of them and requiring a shade over 2 runs per ball right from the off was always going to be difficult. They did start off on the right foot as Shevon Daniel took on the bowlers but the other batters in the top order flopped. It was then a stand between skipper Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa that kept the fight alive with the former doing the bulk of the work. Once Dasun Shanaka got out Bhanuka Rajapaksa wasn't able to accelerate and whoever came in had a go. Dambulla did get boundaries but just not enough of them and ended up falling well short of the target.

What a game of cricket we have witnessed, a really high-scoring affair as a total of 429 runs were scored in the space of 40 overs but it is Jaffna Kings that have outclassed and outmuscled Dambulla Aura and done the double over their opponents. The Kings also bounce back from a narrow defeat in their last game to make it 3 wins out 4 this season as Dambulla remains the only team without a win so far.

Serves a full delivery on middle. Ravindu Fernando drills it to long on and takes a single. Jaffna Kings have registered a big win here by 51 runs!

On a length and around off. Ravindu Fernando swings but the ball goes off the bottom of his blade to mid off.

Back of a length, on off. Pramod Madushan pulls it uppishly but well short of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pramod Madushan is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! We saw Malik take a fantastic catch some time back and now Suminda Lakshan joins the act! Tharindu Ratnayake makes room and Binura Fernando follows him with a short delivery. Tharindu Ratnayake pulls it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. However, Suminda Lakshan there moves to his right and dives to take a superb catch. Four wickets for Binura Fernando!

NOT OUT! A full delivery and outside off. Ravindu Fernando goes for the drive again and gets an outside edge. The batters go for a quick single as the ball goes towards short third man. There is a direct hit from the fielder at the batter's end but the batter has made his ground. It is confirmed by replays as the leg umpire takes it upstairs.

Is that a run-out? Dilshan Madushanka with a bullet throw from short third man and he scores a direct hit at the striker's end. This looks close but on checking the third umpire finds that Tharindu Ratnayake was able to drag his bat inside the crease before the bails came off. Not Out!

A low full toss and it is angled across the right hander. Ravindu Fernando tries to drive it but misses.