* Win nerve tingling game by narrowest of margins
By Marlon Dale Ferreira
The Jaffna Kings secured a nail-biting 1-run victory over the Kandy Falcons in Qualifier 2 of the LPL 2024. They will now take on the Galle Marvels in the final on July 21.
Kusal Mendis was the hero for the Kings, scoring a magnificent century in the opening stages, proving crucial in setting up the win.
Spinners Fabian Allen and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth were then outstanding with the ball in hand, picking up 7 wickets amongst the pair to seal the deal.
Batting first, the Jaffna Kings posted a solid total of 187 for 7. Kusal Mendis was the standout performer, smashing his first LPL century with an unbeaten 105, including 12 boundaries and 5 sixes Off 54 deliveries. His innings was particularly vital as other batters struggled to make significant contributions, and was well assisted by Azmatullah Omarzai who added a quickfire 26 off just 13 balls to bolster the Kings.
In response, the Kandy Falcons got off to a strong start, scoring 62 in the powerplay for the loss of just one wicket.
Andre Fletcher led the charge with a fiery 38, but the introduction of spin dramatically shifted the momentum. The spin duo of Fabian Allen and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth wreaked havoc, taking a combined 7 wickets for just 54 runs in their 8 overs, stifling the Falcons’ middle order.
Despite the early loss, the Falcons looked poised for victory with the scoreboard at 93 for 3 at the halfway mark.
The match came down to the wire in the final overs, with the Falcons needing 38 from the last two. A valiant 21-run effort in the penultimate over by Ramesh Mendis, who scored an unbeaten 30, brought the Falcons within striking distance.
However, they fell just one run short, finishing on 186 for 8. The match ended in dramatic fashion as the Falcons couldn’t muster the final run needed for victory, despite a late surge.
Kusal Mendis was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-defining innings, which not only anchored the Kings’ batting but also set a challenging target for the Falcons. His performance, along with the critical spells from Allen and Viyaskanth, underscored a thrilling contest that highlighted the competitive spirit and high skill level of the LPL.
Chief Scores :-
Jaffna Kings – 187 for 7 in 20 overs (Kusal Mendis 105*, Azmatullah Omarzai 26, Pathum Nissanka 18, Ramesh Mendis 2 for 10, Chathuranga De Silva 2 for 22, Muhammad Hasnain 2 for 48)
Kandy Falcons – 186 for 8 in 20 overs (Andre Fletcher 38, Kamindu Mendis 32, Ramesh Mendis 30*, Fabian Allen 4 for 24, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth 3 for 30, Azmatullah Omarzai 0 for 22)
Player of the Match – Kusal Mendis (105*)
