COLOMBO: The combined batting and bowling performance helped Jaffna Kings seal a thumping victory of 93 runs against Colombo Stars.
In a rain-affected match, Jaffna Kings batter first and posted a massive total of 207/6 in their allotted 18 overs.
The Kings were off to a poor start, losing the first two wickets for just 10 runs. The side lost both their openers. In form batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, bagged a golden duck, while Avishka Fernando could only score four runs.
The dismissals did not halt the side much as their middle-order chipped in and played brilliantly to assist their side to post a massive total. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Shoaib Malik played valiantly and recorded an important 60 runs partnership before Tom dismissed on 40 off just 21 balls. He smashed three boundaries and as many sixes. Malik, on the other hand, scored a magnificent 44 off 24 balls laced with four boundaries and two sixes.
Following their departure, Ashen Bandara and the skipper, Thisara Perera joined the party and sailed the ball all over the ground. Bandara scored 42 off 30 balls, including three boundaries and a six. Perera top-scored with an unbeaten 57 off just 23 balls, the left-handed batter smashed three boundaries and five sixes.
Stars’ bowlers had a bad day at the office, being punished by the opposition. Seeekuge Prasanna, however, was impressive, taking his three wickets for 31 runs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Ashan Priyanjan each struck out a batter.
In response, the Kings bowling attack trapped Stars’ batters completely. None of their batters were able to go deep and get the side into the winning position. Stars, in the end, were bowled out for just 114 in the 16th over. Dinesh Chandimal scored 28 followed by the highest run-scorer of the side, Priyanjan with 27 runs.
Maheesh Theekshana and Wahab Riaz, each claimed four wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva bagged two wickets.
Perera, for his astonishing performance with the bat, adjudged as the player of the match.
Following this thumping victory, the Kings have claimed the top position on the points table, while Stars remained at the fourth.
