COLOMBO: Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s fifty and Samit Patel’s all-round performance helped Galle Gladiators beat Jaffna Kings by 54 runs in the opening match of Lanka Premier League season 2 here at R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. 

Rajapaksa and Samit played sensible knocks to help the side amassed a decent 164-run total in the allotted 20 overs. Rajapaksa smashed 56 runs off 31 balls including six boundaries and three maximums, while Henriques scored 42 off 31 balls, including six boundaries.

Earlier, Gladiators were off to a poor start as the side lost first three wickets for a mere 41 runs. The rest of the Gladiators batters were unable to make significant contribution into the total.

Jayden Seales bagged three wickets for Kings, while Wanindu Hasaranga claimed two. Suranga Lakmal and Maheesh Theekshana, on the other hand, each struck out a batter.

In response, Gladiators bowling attack trapped Kings batters completely. None of their batters were able to go deep and get the side into the winning position. Kings, in the end, were bowled out for just 110 in the 19th over. Upul Tharanga scored 17 followed by highest run-scorer of the side, Wahab Riaz with 27 runs.

Samit claimed three wickets. Mohammad Hafeez and Pulina Thatanga claimed two wickets apiece. Whereas, Lahiru Madushanka, Noor Ahmad and Nuwan Thushara each struck out a batter.

For his all-round performance, Samit was adjudged as the player of the match.

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