By Dwayne Ferreira.
Jaffna Kings vs Dambulla Sixers ended in a five-wicket win after Bhanuka Rajapaksa struck an unbeaten 61 at Colombo’s SSC.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa produced a captain’s innings as Jaffna Kings defeated Dambulla Sixers by five wickets in their Lanka Premier League encounter at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Chasing 131 for victory, Jaffna reached 133 for five in 19 overs, with Rajapaksa remaining unbeaten on 61 from 37 deliveries. His match-winning innings included four boundaries and four sixes and earned him the Player of the Match award.
The contest, the fourth match of the 2026 Lanka Premier League, was played on Sunday, July 19. Jaffna won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Jaffna bowlers restrict Dambulla to 130
Dambulla struggled to build substantial partnerships and were dismissed for 130 in 19.3 overs.
Pavan Rathnayake was their leading scorer, striking 27 from 16 balls with five boundaries. Niroshan Dickwella contributed 23 from 16 deliveries, while Reeza Hendricks scored 18 from 15 balls.
Dushmantha Chameera added a useful 18 from 11 deliveries near the end of the innings, but Dambulla continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Their innings fell away from 67 for two to 75 for six before the lower order carried the total beyond 100.
Lizaad Williams returned the best figures for Jaffna, taking three wickets for 14 runs from 2.3 overs. Traveen Mathew also claimed three wickets, conceding 19 runs from three overs.
Shakib Al Hasan delivered an economical spell of two for 12 from four overs, including a maiden. Dilshan Madushanka and Dunith Wellalage collected one wicket each.
Rajapaksa rescues Jaffna Kings chase
Jaffna’s pursuit began poorly, with Kamil Mishara, Avishka Fernando and Chamindu Wickramasinghe all dismissed inside the opening seven overs.
The Kings slipped to 35 for three before Ibrahim Zadran and Rajapaksa steadied the innings with a 47-run fourth-wicket partnership. Zadran made 21 from 25 balls before being caught off Chameera.
David Wiese was run out for seven, leaving Jaffna at 94 for five in the 15th over. However, Rajapaksa remained composed and received valuable support from Wellalage, who finished unbeaten on 11 from 13 balls.
Rajapaksa reached his half-century from 33 deliveries before accelerating during the final stages. With Jaffna requiring 11 runs from the last two overs, he struck Gulbadin Naib for a six over midwicket and completed the chase with a boundary through fine leg.
Jaffna scored 13 runs from the 19th over to secure victory with six balls remaining.
Chameera was Dambulla’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 29 runs. Maheesh Theekshana delivered an outstanding spell of one for 11 from four overs, including a maiden, while Vishwa Lahiru claimed one for 11.
Match Summary
Dambulla Sixers: 130 all out in 19.3 overs
Pavan Rathnayake 27, Niroshan Dickwella 23
Lizaad Williams 3/14, Traveen Mathew 3/19, Shakib Al Hasan 2/12
Jaffna Kings: 133/5 in 19 overs
Bhanuka Rajapaksa 61 not out, Ibrahim Zadran 21
Dushmantha Chameera 2/29, Maheesh Theekshana 1/11
Result: Jaffna Kings won by five wickets
Player of the Match: Bhanuka Rajapaksa
