END OF OVER:20 | 16 Runs | KAF: 148/7 | RR: 7.40
- Isuru Udana1 (2b)
- Chamika Karunaratne26 (16b)
- James Fuller4-0-35-1
- Zaman Khan3-0-36-1
Right. That will be a wrap from us for tonight. The Kandy Falcons aced this top of the table clash and have now solidified their place at the top of the table, which is in stark contrast to how their first two LPL seasons panned out. The Jaffna Kings, on the other hand, will have a chance to get back to winning ways tomorrow. But before the Kings play, the Colombo Stars will take on the Galle Gladiators in the afternoon game. Make sure you join us, but until then, this is me (Shashwat) on behalf of Sudeep and Vairavan, signing off. Goodbye, goodnight and take care!
11:45pm Wow, that was some game. It had twists and turns at every juncture and in the end, the Falcons did just enough to hold their nerve. Karunaratne, who was a doubtful starter, was the star of the show, smashing two majestic sixes in the final over. Before that, Bandara did his bit to ensure that the Falcons did not completely lose their way. Nissanka, too, batted well for his 24-ball 29.
The Kings, on the other hand, would be ruing how they let the game get away right at the end. That said, they would be happy with how they contained the Falcons for large swathes. There is still a bit of work to do in the batting department but this game, if anything, has proven that they deserve to be placed where they are in the table.
Scores level now! A single and the Falcons will be home! A dot ball (or a wicket) and we are going to a Super Over!
Samarawickrama has taken one glove off
4 off 4 now. The Falcons are not going to botch this up now, right? A bit of a false start. Fuller now feeling the pinch!
Okay then. Momentum suddenly with the Falcons now. A fair bit of work still needs to be done, though! 10 from 5
Oh hello! It seems the Falcons have retired out Bandara, with Udana replacing him in the middle. Well, that is some call!
Right. It has come down to this. 16 runs needed off the final over. Fuller has held his own so far. But can he hold his nerve under pressure?
END OF OVER:19 | 15 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 132/7 (16 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.94, RRR: 16.00)
- Chamika Karunaratne13 (12b)
- Zaman Khan3-0-36-1
- James Fuller3-0-21-1
KNA Bandara retired out 44 (39b 3x4 0x6) SR: 112.82
18 off 7 now. Another boundary and the Falcons are right back in this game. A six, and the Falcons probably nudge ahead again! Massive ball coming up!
23 needed off 8 now. The Falcons desperately need a maximum
The last boundary, before the one Karunaratne hit this over, was in the 15th over. Tells you all you need to know about how this run-chase has unfolded
Karunaratne is 8 off 10. Both he and the Falcons would not mind a boundary here!
31 needed off the last two overs. Surely this is the Kings' game to lose now? Zaman to bowl the penultimate over
END OF OVER:18 | 3 Runs | KAF: 117/6 (31 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.50, RRR: 15.50)
- Chamika Karunaratne8 (10b)
- Ashen Bandara35 (35b)
- James Fuller3-0-21-1
- Maheesh Theekshana4-0-29-1
Just three runs off the over so far. Can Fuller close it out? The Falcons need a boundary, right about now!
Fuller to bowl the 18th over. Falcons need 34. Can they muster a 10-plus run over to calm the nerves?
END OF OVER:17 | 5 Runs | KAF: 114/6 (34 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.70, RRR: 11.33)
- Ashen Bandara33 (32b)
- Chamika Karunaratne7 (7b)
- Maheesh Theekshana4-0-29-1
- Dunith Wellalage4-0-17-2
Last ball of spin potentially coming up
Two balls to go this over
Are the Falcons looking to play out Theekshana?