7:15pm That will also be a wrap from us for this game, although it is not long before the Colombo Stars clash with the Galle Gladiators for a place in tomorrow's qualifier against the Falcons. That, though, is contingent to the weather holding up. Either way, it is a good time to tune into our coverage and be updated with whatever is happening in Colombo. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Binoy George. Goodbye, take care!

7:11pm That turned out to be a damp squib (quite literally), although the outcome never seemed in doubt after the Kings ransacked 71 runs in the powerplay. They lost three wickets but the assault ensured that the run rate was well within control. Samarawickrama and Wellalage batted sensibly thereafter and did not allow the Falcons a sniff, even as they tried to break the game open.

As for the Falcons, they would be upset that they could not put more runs on the board. They were also very inaccurate with their lines and lengths, especially in the powerplay. The good thing for them, though, is that they will have another bite at the cherry and could prove tomorrow that this was just a bad day at the office.

Thisara Perera, Jaffna Kings captain: As I said earlier, if we do our best, we will be on top of other teams. We have a very good group of cricketers and if we click well, we feel we are far better than other teams. Everyone is fully fit. Looking forward to putting out our best team for the final.

Wanindu Hasaranga, Kandy Falcons captain: I think we were 20-30 runs short in our batting. (On Karunaratne's fitness) I think he will play and we might be going in with the same side tomorrow.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Player of the Match: I was trying to bowl wicket to wicket. The support from my captain and my team is good. They have been telling me I can do anything.

Time for the post-match presentation!

7pm It's official now. No further play will be possible in this game and the Jaffna Kings, by virtue of being ahead of the DLS par score by 24 runs, are the first team to enter the final of the LPL this season.

6:25pm The umpires finally ask for the covers to be brought on as the rain continues to fall. The Kings should be well ahead of the DLS par score. If the game were to stop at this juncture, the Jaffna Kings would win by 24 runs, according to Roshan Abeysinghe on air

END OF OVER:
20 | 10 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 143/8 | RR: 7.15

  • Isuru Udana2 (1b)
  • Chamika Karunaratne14 (13b)
  • Binura Fernando4-0-23-1
  • Zaman Khan4-0-31-1

4:45pm The Falcons, after opting to bat first, were jolted early with Fletcher departing. Mendis and Nissanka, though, steadied the ship and at the first time-out, seemed in control. In the very next over, both perished playing attacking strokes and the Falcons just could not recover thereafter. Their middle and lower order tried throwing their bat at everything but were contained by a superb Kings bowling unit, who stuck to their plans and used the conditions and dimensions on offer.

This pitch is not as flat as many thought it would be, with a few deliveries gripping and holding in the surface. The Falcons also have bowlers that will be able to exploit these conditions. That said, this is still a total the Kings will back themselves to hunt down. Do join us in a bit for the run-chase!

19.6
2
B Fernando to Udana, 2 runs, low full toss on leg stump. Udana hangs back in his crease and shovels it towards deep mid wicket for just a couple of runs

Udana on strike

19.5
W
B Fernando to Brathwaite, OUT, Brathwaite bites the dust! In the slot just outside off stump. Brathwaite winds up, clears his front leg and has a massive swing at it. He mistimes it though, and skies it towards long off, where Perera judges the catch to perfection and gobbles it up! Slightly dodgy celebration by Binura, but he and the Kings will not mind that wicket one bit!

CR Brathwaite c Perera b B Fernando 12 (10b 0x4 1x6) SR: 120.00

Getafix: "Well, i still remember the 4 sixes that Carlos so famously stuck to leave england in a state of shock and disbelief. A repeat here would be quite handy" - We have had one so far

19.4
0
B Fernando to Brathwaite, no run, top yorker that sneaks just inside the tramlines on the off side. Brathwaite lets it go, hoping for the wide but is beaten by Binura's accuracy
19.3
1
B Fernando to Karunaratne, 1 run, searing yorker on leg stump. Karunaratne gets his front foot out of the way and flicks it towards deep mid wicket for one
19.2
1
B Fernando to Brathwaite, 1 run, yorker on middle and leg stump. Brathwaite digs it out towards long on for a single
19.1
6
B Fernando to Brathwaite, SIX, shot! Full toss way outside off stump. Brathwaite reaches out for it and slams it over the deep extra cover fence

Right. Six balls left, how many can the Falcons get? Can they get to 150? Binura to bowl the final over

END OF OVER:
19 | 8 Runs | KAF: 133/7 | RR: 7.00

  • Chamika Karunaratne13 (12b)
  • Carlos Brathwaite5 (6b)
  • Zaman Khan4-0-31-1
  • Binura Fernando3-0-13-0
18.6
2
Zaman Khan to Karunaratne, 2 runs, full delivery outside off stump. Karunaratne sits deep in his crease and drills it down to long off. Perera misfields and that enables the batters to get back for the second
18.5
1
Zaman Khan to Brathwaite, 1 run, slower delivery down the leg side. Brathwaite uses the pace but can only collect a single down to deep backward square leg
18.4
1
Zaman Khan to Karunaratne, 1 run, short delivery outside off stump. Karunaratne has a swipe at it and shanks it down the ground for just a single

Looks like Gurbaz has injured himself while trying to field it. He is not moving very freely

18.3
2
Zaman Khan to Karunaratne, 2 runs, full delivery on middle and leg stump. Karunaratne clears his front leg and chalks it down the ground for another brace

Right. The Falcons need boundaries. Can Karunaratne get in on the act?

18.2
2
Zaman Khan to Karunaratne, 2 runs, slower delivery on a back of a length outside off stump. Karunaratne gives himself room and slaps it over extra cover for a couple of runs
18.1
0
Zaman Khan to Karunaratne, no run, short outside off stump. Karunaratne backs away and then lets it go. He looks quizzically for the wide but gets no favours

Zaman to bowl the penultimate over

END OF OVER:
18 | 7 Runs | KAF: 125/7 | RR: 6.94

  • Carlos Brathwaite4 (5b)
  • Chamika Karunaratne6 (7b)
  • Binura Fernando3-0-13-0
  • Maheesh Theekshana4-0-24-2
17.6
2
B Fernando to Brathwaite, 2 runs, very full delivery outside off stump. Brathwaite opens his bat face and guides it towards deep backward point for a couple of runs
17.5
0
B Fernando to Brathwaite, no run, full delivery just outside off stump. Brathwaite throws his hands at it but can only slice it towards short third man
17.4
1
B Fernando to Karunaratne, 1 run, low full toss outside off stump. Karunaratne plants his front foot and drives it down the ground for one
17.3
1
B Fernando to Brathwaite, 1 run, very full delivery outside off stump. Brathwaite opens the bat face and glides it towards deep cover point for another run
17.2
1
B Fernando to Karunaratne, 1 run, short and outside off stump again. Karunaratne gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away towards deep mid wicket for one
17.1
2
B Fernando to Karunaratne, 2 runs, slower bumper on off stump. Karunaratne walks across his stumps and helps it towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs

Binura comes back for his third over

JOYDEEP GILL: "Will 160 to 165 be competitive " -- I'd certainly think so. But 160-165 is very far away, right now

END OF OVER:
17 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | KAF: 118/7 | RR: 6.94

  • Chamika Karunaratne2 (4b)
  • Carlos Brathwaite1 (2b)
  • Maheesh Theekshana4-0-24-2
  • Zaman Khan3-0-23-1
16.6
1
Theekshana to Karunaratne, 1 run, full delivery on off stump. Karunaratne presses forward and pushes it down the ground for one more run

The dots are piling up now

16.5
0
Theekshana to Karunaratne, no run, back of a length delivery outside off stump. Karunaratne goes back and jabs it towards extra cover
16.4
0
Theekshana to Karunaratne, no run, full delivery angled into the batter on middle and off stump. Karunaratne comes forward and defends it back to the bowler
16.3
1
Theekshana to Brathwaite, 1 run, back of a length delivery on off stump. Brathwaite goes back and knocks it down the ground for a single
16.2
1
Theekshana to Karunaratne, 1 run, length on leg stump. Karunaratne lets the ball come to him before working it into the leg side for a single

Karunaratne is the new batter in

16.1
W
Theekshana to Allen, OUT, in the air, and taken spectacularly by Gurbaz at long off! In the slot outside off stump and Allen looks to go downtown. He does not get it right out of the middle but it looks like he has gotten enough wood to clear long off. Just as it seems the ball would sail over the ropes, Gurbaz comes hurtling to his right, stretches out, flicks the ball into the air, crosses the ropes and returns to complete the catch! What a splendid fielding effort!

FA Allen c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Theekshana 6 (4b 1x4 0x6) SR: 150.00

Theekshana to bowl out

LPL News

Jaffna 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st27WIA FernandoRahmanullah Gurbaz
2nd27WIA FernandoAfif Hossain
3rd8S SamarawickramaAfif Hossain
4th36S SamarawickramaDN Wellalage