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!
Udana on strike
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
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
Looks like Gurbaz has injured himself while trying to field it. He is not moving very freely
Right. The Falcons need boundaries. Can Karunaratne get in on the act?
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
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
The dots are piling up now
Karunaratne is the new batter in
FA Allen c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Theekshana 6 (4b 1x4 0x6) SR: 150.00
Theekshana to bowl out