Lanka Premier League 2024

Matheesha Four-Fer help Colombo edge Kandy

Jaffna Kings emerged victorious with a 30-run margin against Dambulla Sixers at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, achieving the highest score in LPL 2024. Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando made significant contributions with 88 and 57 runs, respectively, for Jaffna. Mustafizur Rahman claimed 2 wickets for Dambulla Sixers. Jaffna Kings posted a total of 218/5 in 20 overs.

During the chase, Dambulla Sixers displayed resilience but fell short, managing to reach only 188/8 in 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks stood out as the top scorer for Dambulla Sixers, accumulating 80 runs which included 9 fours and 3 sixes. Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, and Tabraiz Shamsi each secured 2 wickets for Jaffna Kings.

Meanwhile in another game between Colombo strikers and Kandy Falcons, Colombo’s Matheesha Pathirana’s four-fer led his team to a thrilling 2-run victory over in the 7th game.

Colombo Strikers, batting first, finished with a formidable 199/9 in their 20 overs, with Dushmantha Chameera taking 3 wickets and Wanidu Hasaranga and Shoriful Islam sharing 4.

In reply, Despite a shaky start, a 95-run partnership between Andre Fletcher and Mohammad Haris put Kandy Falcons back on track.

Controversy erupted when a superb one-handed grab by Chamika Karunaratne in the eighth over was disallowed. The win could have been easier for the Strikers had that partnership been broken early. In the replays, the fielder’s hand seemed to be underneath the ball but the third umpire surprisingly decided it was not out raising eyebrows of all the players.

However, Pathirana’s exceptional bowling in the last 2 overs, conceding only 2 singles, made it difficult for the Falcons to chase the target. Pathirana’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match title, finishing with 4/26.

Meanwhile after the 7th match, Jaffna Kings’ Avishka Fernando remains the top scorer with 210 runs in four matches at an average of 52.50. Pathum Nissanka has moved up to second place with 178 runs in four games at a strike rate of 154.78. Mark Chapman is in third place with 154 runs in three innings at an average of 154. Tim Seifert has slipped to fourth position with 126 runs in three outings at an average of 63. Kusal Perera has moved to fifth place with 118 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 187.30.

In terms of wickets, Colombi Kings’ Shadab Khan is still the leading wicket-taker with nine wickets in three matches at an average of 7.11. Zahoor Khan is in second place with six wickets in three games at an economy of nine. Dasun Shanaka has moved up to third position with five wickets in three innings at a strike rate of 12. Matheesha Pathirana is in fourth place with five wickets in three outings at an economy of 8.78. Mustafizur Rahman has moved up to the fifth position with five wickets in three matches at a strike rate of 13.20.

Brief Scores

Jaffna Kings: 218/5 (20) Pathum Nissanka 88, Avishka Fernando 57, Mustafizur 2/39)

Dambulla Sixers 188/8 (20) (Reeza Hendricks 80, Mark Chapman 30, Asitha Fernando 2/25)

Colombo Strikers 199/9 (Glenn Phillips 70, Dushmantha Chameera 3/40) beat Kandy Falcons 197/8 (Mohammad Haris 56; Matheesha Pathirana 4/26) by two runs