JK VS KF MATCH 15

Right then, that is it for rain shortened game. Jaffna Kings win this by 4 wickets. The action continues from the Lanka Premier League, 2024 as Dambulla Sixers take on Galle Marvels in game no. 16 on 14th July, 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). You can join us an hour early for all the updates and the build-up. Cheers!

Charith Asalanka, the Jaffna Kings skipper says that they were under pressure but when he came in the required rate was over 12. Adds that he had to go from ball one and it came off. Shares that the toss and luck both played in their favor. Ends by adding that he is happy with the XI and has an opportunity to try new players if needed.

The losing skipper of Kandy Falcons, Wanindu Hasaranga says they have a game left and they just want to finish on a high. Adds that the wicket was a bit on the slower side still they got what they wanted on board and they lost the game due to poor bowling in the last couple of overs.

Jason Behrendorff is the Player of the Match for his excellent spell. He says it was a bit two-paced wicket and good for the bowlers, which was nice. Adds that he was trying to bowl back of the length and top of the stumps as it was difficult to hit. Mentions that the slower balls were getting stuck in the pitch and it worked well for them. Ends by sharing that it’s his first time in Sri Lanka and he is loving it.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier in the game, Kandy Falcons, after being asked to bat first posted 78 runs in a shortened game. The batters had only one thing in their mind and that was to go big or go home. Andre Fletcher couldn't open his account but Dinesh Chandimal and Mohammad Haris formed a key partnership of 56 runs off just 23 deliveries. The rest of the batters couldn't contribute much but the side managed a good total in 7 overs. The bowlers of Jaffna Kings did a good job of dismissing 5 batters. Jason Behrendorff was unplayable and he picked up 3 wickets for just 10 runs off his 2 overs.

The bowling from Kandy Falcons was good looking at the wet conditions. Angelo Mathews picked up a couple along with Wanindu Hasaranga while Dasun Shanaka took one as well. Wanindu Hasaranga despite picking up 2 wickets in an over gave away 18 and that over took the game wat out of the reach of Kandy Falcons.

Chasing down a testing total of 78, the Jaffna Kings weren't off to the start they were after. The side lost a couple early in the shortened Powerplay of 2 overs and scored just 13 out of it. With the target in mind, the batters knew they had to keep swinging and it eventually paid off. Charith Asalanka and Avishka Fernando took the sting out of the game with a 41-run partnership off just 13 balls for the 4th wicket. Avishka Fernando then went on to put up another short but significant partnership of 24 off 6 balls with Azmatullah Omarzai where Azmatullah Omarzai did the most of the damage. Contributions from Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, and Azmatullah Omarzai were enough for Jaffna Kings to win this by 4 wickets.

WINNING RUN! Pitched full on off. Azmatullah Omarzai eases it to long-off for a single. Jaffna Kings win by 4 wickets  with 7 balls to spare and maintain their top position in the table.

Ahan Wickramasinghe is in next.

RUN-OUT! Tosses it full on off. Azmatullah Omarzai miscues the slog toward the deep mid-wicket region. Kamindu Mendis drops down the chance at the boundary but fires in a flat throw at the bowler's end. Avishka Fernando is short of the crease as the batters try to complete the second run and Jaffna Kings lose another.

RUN-OUT! Tosses it full on off. Azmatullah Omarzai miscues the slog toward the deep mid-wicket region. Kamindu Mendis drops down the chance at the boundary but fires in a flat throw at the bowler's end. Avishka Fernando is short of the crease as the batters try to complete the second run and Jaffna Kings lose another.

FOUR! BANG! Short and wide outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai goes back and cuts it through the sweeper cover region. Angelo Mathews runs around but fails to stop the boundary.

SIX! Azmatullah Omarzai gets a hat-trick of sixes! Floated on off. Azmatullah Omarzai clears the front leg and lofts it over the wide long-off fence for a maximum.

Flatter on the middle and leg. Avishka Fernando knocks it through mid-wicket for one.

Andre Fletcher comes on now.

SIX MORE! OMARZAI GOES BANG BANG! Tad short on the middle and off. Azmatullah Omarzai goes back and pulls it powerfully over the deep mid-wicket boundary for a maximum. 18 runs off the over. Jaffna Kings need just 13 off the next 2 overs.