Kandy end losing streak with record run chase
Opener Pathum Nissanka scored the highest ever in the LPL series with 119 runs, anchoring Jaffna Kings’ innings. However, it was in vain as Kandy Falcons secured a superb 7-wicket win with 10 balls to spare in their high-scoring LPL match at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Both teams displayed fine batting. Kandy Falcons, chasing a target of 225, reached 230 for 3 wickets with 10 balls remaining. This was the highest team total so far in the tournament. Opener Dinesh Chandimal hit 89 in 37 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes. Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten with 65 in 36 balls, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes, while experienced Angelo Mathews contributed an unbeaten 29 in 13 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. This guided Kandy Falcons to victory after three consecutive defeats. Chandimal’s superb knock earned him the Man of the Match award.
Kandy Falcons’ skipper Wanindu Hasaranga won the toss but his decision didn’t favour them initially. Jaffna Kings’ openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put on a superb 112-run partnership in 10.3 overs. Kusal Mendis was out for 26 off 23 balls, but Nissanka continued to lead, scoring his maiden T20 century in 52 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes. He reached his hundred with a massive six over long-on off Shoriful Islam, adding a further six and a four in the same over. Nissanka, who later added a 50-run second-wicket stand with Rilee Rossouw (41 in 18 balls), was eventually out for 119 in 59 balls with 16 fours and 4 sixes. Jaffna Kings posted a total of 224 for 7 wickets, the highest so far in the tournament.
Nissanka, who later added a 50-run second-wicket stand with Rilee Rossouw (41 in 18 balls), was eventually out for 119 in 59 balls with 16 fours and 4 sixes. Jaffna Kings posted a total of 224 for 7 wickets, the highest so far in the tournament.
Despite the high score, Kandy Falcons’ overall bowling and fielding were subpar. Dasun Shanaka was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 40, while Dushmantha Chameera and Ramesh Mendis took 2 wickets each. Wanindu Hasaranga finished with a wicketless spell, conceding 40 runs. Young paceman Kavindu Pathiratne got his first match but didn’t bowl a single over.
Chief scores
Jaffna Kings 224 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 119, Kusal Mendis 26, Rilee Rossouw 41, Avishka Fernando 16, Fabian Allen 10, Dasun Shanaka 3/40, Dushmantha Chameera 2/44, Ramesh Mendis 2/28
Kandy Falcons 230 for 3 wickets in 18.2 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 89, Andre Fletcher 13, Mohammed Haris 25, Kamindu Mendis 65 *, Angelo Mathews 29* Promod Madushan 1 for 33, Tabriz Shamsi 2/46
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