JK VS GT MATCH 17

Right then! That is all we have from this one-sided affair. There are still qualification spots up for grabs as we move to the second game of our doubleheader on Super Sunday. We have match number 18 in the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League as Colombo Strikers clash against B-Love Kandy at the same venue. The match will start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but as you know you can join us for the build-up in a short while. From here, goodbye and cheers!

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Galle Titans says that he is happy with the victory and it will help them on the way to qualification. He credits Kasun Rajitha and his other bowlers for taking wickets early. He adds that he has a replacement for Tim Seifert who leaves on national duty. He ends by saying that they will go into their next match planning to counter the opposition.

Thisara Perera, the skipper of Jaffna Kings expresses that he was really disappointed with their batting effort today. He also gives credit to the Galle bowlers for putting up such a great show with the new ball. He mentions that the early wickets were very vital for them and they were not able to build an innings after that. He claims that Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a world class player and they all know what he is capable of. Goes on to say that he is going through a tough patch but he is determined to do well and he hopes he can turn it around.

Kasun Rajitha is the Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul and for conceding just 20 runs in his four overs. He says that he focused only on bowling the right line and length. He adds that his consistent length helped him get those 4 wickets and his ball dismissing Shoaib Malik was his favourite.

Time for the presentations...

The young Dunith Wellalage, who is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, could not make much of an impact. The fifty-run stand between Tim Seifert and Chad Bowes helped seal the game. Today was just not their day and with this loss, the qualification for the Jaffna Kings rides on the performance of other teams. Earlier in the innings, we saw the dominance of the Galle Titans bowlers who bowled out the Jaffna Kings for a mere 89 runs which is the joint second-lowest total in the tournament history. Dunith Wellalage was the top scorer for them scoring 22 runs and the star bowler for the Galle Titans was Kasun Rajitha who bowled a brilliant spell taking 4 wickets

Galle Titans were in control of the match from the first innings and even dominated the run chase. Tim Seifert looked in good form as he reached his third half-century of the tournament. He was dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka but not after he had helped seal the victory. Shakib Al Hasan was the next batter to be dismissed but it did not change the outcome as Dasun Shanaka finished it on his first ball in. They never looked like they were in the game and the decision to bat first after winning the toss just didn't work for them. The bowlers could not hit the right length and apart from Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, and Shoaib Malik who managed to take a wicket each, no one could provide a breakthrough for them.

A comprehensive win for Galle Titans as they go level on points with the reigning champions in the hunt for a playoff spot! Chasing a target of just 90 runs, the openers Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Tim Seifert started off very strongly and scored some very quick runs in the first 4 overs. Bhanuka Rajapaksa was dismissed soon after by Maheesh Theekshana. The Titans were in a strong position at the end of the Powerplay with just 51 runs required to win off the remaining 14 overs. Tim Seifert continued raining boundaries on the opposition looking to end the match early and provide a much-necessary boost to their net run rate.

That is the game for Galle Titans as their skipper hits the winning runs! Shoaib Malik tosses this full and at the stumps. Dasun Shanaka hoicks this towards deep mid-wicket and they pick up a couple of runs.

Dasun Shanaka is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shoaib Malik gets another breakthrough but this will be just a consolation! This is flighted full and just outside the off stump. Shakib Al Hasan looks to finish it in one blow but is early into his shot. Ends up lobbing this high into the air towards long off. David Miller covers good ground to take a fine catch and get his team the third wicket.

Shoaib Malik floats this one full and outside off. Shakib Al Hasan dabs this towards the point fielder.

On a good length and just outside the off stump. Shakib Al Hasan dabs this to the right of short third man to take a single and keep strike. Just 2 runs needed for Galle Titans to register an important win.

Bowls this slightly back of a length and outside off. Chad Bowes pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Shakib Al Hasan is off the mark straight away. This is bowled into the pads on a good length. Shakib Al Hasan tucks this towards wide fine leg and takes one.

Shakib Al Hasan is the new batter in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! Tim Seifert looking to finish in a hurry but loses his wicket in the process! This is bowled on a good length by Dilshan Madushanka and outside off with pace taken away. Tim Seifert looks to slap this over cover and hits it hard. He does not get the required elevation though and smacks it into the hands of Thisara Perera who grabs a sharp catch. Galle Titans lose their second wicket but they only need 5 runs to win.