That's it from our coverage of match 8 of the Lanka Premier League. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Ayan Chatterjee and scorer Paras Yadav. Stay tuned for more cricket coverage from across the globe.
Thisara Perera (Jaffna Kings Captain): "I have to give the credit to the batters and bowlers who did a very good job for me. It is very easy for the captain with such bunch of players. There is no such secret, we just back our strengths. The way Gurbaz and Avishka played, I can't say anything. They gave us everything needed in the innings with that good start. Every match we are giving chances. Even today we rested 3 players and played with just 2 overseas players. We would love to see some new faces in the next few matches."
Dasun Shanaka (Dambulla AURA Captain): "No we took the right call. The bowling was poor. Bad execution. I think we bowled bad lines and lengths. They batted well. Gurbaz and Avishka took advantage. As far as pressure is concerned, the reality is we have to play better than this. If we don't play well, then we can't win. Once we play well then we can string in wins and then climb upwards in the table. A long way to go."
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: "I really enjoy playing here. I was used to this wicket. I always try to be positive. I had practiced before the game just to find my zone. I talk to the coaches to know how to play my natural game. That's the reason I scored big."
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the player of the match.
Dambulla AURA's horrible run of form continues as they slump to their third straight loss in three games in this edition of the Lanka Premier League after going down to the Lyca's Jaffna Kings by 51 runs after winning the toss and electing to bowl first.
Jaffna got a terrific start thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz (73 off 35) and his opening partner Avishka Fernando (54 off 30) as the 2 youngsters added 133 runs for the opening stand in 10.4 overs. Wicketkeeper Sadeera Samarawickrama then scored a quickfire 38 off 22 supported by Shoaib Malik (32 off 15) to register the biggest ever score in LPL history finishing their quota of 20 overs at 240/4.
Sikandar Raza with an economy of 8.75 was the most economical bowler for Dambulla. Lahiru Kumara picked up a couple of wickets but conceded 56 runs. Other wicket takers were Dushan Hemantha (1/44) and Pramod Madushan (1/55).
Shevon Daniel (29 off 20) fired at the top for Dambulla as the openers added 26 runs in the first 2 overs but then started losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Dasun Shanaka batting at number 5 was the top scorer with 44 off 23 deliveries but holed out in the deep when the scoring rate was getting out of reach.
The biggest partnership was worth 66 runs between Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38 off 31). There was no other worthy contribution from the batting order as the Jaffna attack looked terrific with Binura Fernando reaping the rewards using his height and the conditions well to pick up 4 wickets for just 22 runs also bowling a maiden over.. Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilshan Madushanka picked up a wicket apiece. Suminda Lakshan finished with 2/50, a bit expensive.
Stay tuned as we bring you the post match presentation.
OVER 20
Dambulla AURA
189/8
Pramod Madushan
1(1)
Ravindu Fernando
19(13)
Binura Fernando
4-22(4.0)
19.6 B Fernando to R Fernando
1 Last ball of the game. Length ball angling in here, Fernando drills it down to long-on for a single to end the over and the contest. So, Dambulla finishes with 189/8 in 20 overs. A convincing 51-run win for the Jaffna Kings as they bounce back in style from yesterday's game.
19.5 B Fernando to R Fernando
0 Short of a length into the pitch, Fernando toe-ends it away to mid-off.