Jaffna Kings Beat Kandy Falcons By One Run In LPL 2024 Qualifier Thriller

Jaffna Kings have secured their place in the Lanka Premier League 2024 final for the third time in four years. They achieved this by narrowly defeating Kandy Falcons, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, in Qualifier 2 on Saturday, July 20. The thrilling match concluded with Jaffna winning by just one run, setting up a final clash against Galle Marvels.

After being put to bat first, Jaffna Kings posted a total of 181/7. This was largely due to a spectacular unbeaten century from opener Kusal Mendis. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 105 runs off 54 balls, hitting 12 fours and five sixes. This marked his first hundred in the LPL.

Kandy Falcons began their chase strongly, amassing 48 runs in the first four overs. However, they faced an early setback when opener Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed for 11 runs off 10 balls on the first ball of the fifth over. His partner Andre Fletcher contributed significantly with a quickfire 38 off 21 balls.

West Indies left-arm spinner Fabian Allen played a crucial role in pulling back Jaffna into the game by taking key wickets in successive overs. Pakistan's Mohammad Haris scored 26 off 20 balls and formed a 31-run partnership with Kamindu Mendis before falling to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth in the 11th over.

Jaffna's bowlers managed to restrict Kandy Falcons effectively. Fabian Allen finished with impressive figures of 24/4 in his four overs, while Viyaskanth picked up three wickets for 30 runs in three overs. Kandy Falcons were reduced from 93/3 at the end of 10.5 overs to 144/8 by the end of the 17th over.

The second-highest scorer for Jaffna was Azmatullah Omarzai, who added a quickfire 26 off just 13 balls while batting at number seven. Despite low scores from other batsmen like Pathum Nissanka (18), Rilee Rossouw (7), Avishka Fernando (11), captain Charith Asalanka (4), and Dhananjaya de Silva (5), Mendis' innings ensured a challenging target for Kandy Falcons.

Dramatic Final Overs

With Kandy needing 37 runs from the last two overs and only two wickets remaining, number ten batter Ramesh Mendis turned up the heat on Jaffna. He hit a four and a six off Jason Behrendorff's first two deliveries of the penultimate over. His partner Pawan Rathnayake also contributed with a six on the fourth ball of that over.

The equation came down to needing four runs off the final delivery after Ramesh Mendis hit another boundary, followed by a double and another six. However, he could only manage two runs off Asitha Fernando's last ball as Jaffna Kings clinched victory by one run.

This win propels Jaffna Kings into yet another LPL final where they will face Galle Marvels. The team will be looking to continue their strong performance and claim another title in this prestigious tournament.