11:50pm That brings us to the end of our coverage for tonight. We had to wait a bit for the game to actually begin but once it did, there was no shortage of entertainment or drama. Hope you enjoyed it just as much as we loved bringing it to you. Until next time, this is goodbye from me, Ranjith and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care, folks!

Jason Behrendorff, Player of the Match: (On the pitch) It was a little bit sticky, a bit of bounce and a little two-paced. Something for the bowlers, so it was nice. (What was the right length to bowl) Top of the stumps, back of a length. Some were going through, some weren't. The batters had to change their swing and you did not have to do much. (On his LPL experience) My first time to Sri Lanka and I have been loving it.

Charith Asalanka, Jaffna Kings captain: Just smash it. I was under pressure but when I was coming in to bat, it was almost 12-12.5 runs per over, so I had to smash it and I think I did it. (On if they will be making changes for the next league game) Tough question, I have to speak to the coach first (smiles). I am pretty happy right now, if I want to see a few players, I can do it (in the next match).

Wanindu Hasaranga, Kandy Falcons captain: We have one game left, we just want to finish (strongly). Covers were on since the morning and the we knew the wicket was going to be slow. We wanted to score 75-plus. We achieved that target but we did not bowl well after the first three-four overs.

11:36pm And...breathe. A frantic seven-over-per-side shootout that does not even last the distance, primarily because the Kings were so good with their six-hitting. Two overs into their chase, it felt that they would flounder, having lost Mendis, Nissanka and Rossouw. Asalanka, though, stepped up thereafter and the rest followed suit, with Omarzai applying the finishing touches towards the end.

Some of the Falcons' decision-making was questionable. Shoriful and Hasnain did not bowl at all, while Fletcher did. Hasaranga also looked a little off-colour, despite picking up two wickets in his only over. Mathews and Shanaka did well in their respective first overs but became too predictable in their second, which allowed the Kings to take them down.

5.5
1
Fletcher to Azmatullah Omarzai, 1 run, that will be that! The Kings win and take a giant stride towards securing a top-two finish! Fired in full on off. Omarzai stretches forward and eases it to long off. An anti-climactic end to an insane display of six-hitting but that gets the job done for the Kings, which is all that matters!
5.4
W
Fletcher to Azmatullah Omarzai, 1 run, OUT, chance goes down, but the scores are now level! Chaos in Colombo! On a length, perhaps just outside off. Omarzai has a slog at it and miscues it. Kamindu Mendis tries to settle under it but is unable to do so. Does not get a good enough hand to it. The Kings think they can sneak in two but Avishka is well short on the second at the bowler's end!

WIA Fernando run out 16 (7b 0x4 2x6) SR: 228.57

5.3
4
Fletcher to Azmatullah Omarzai, FOUR, oh dear - the wheels are coming off now! Short outside off. Omarzai sits back and carves it towards deep cover point. Mathews over-runs it and then gets done in by the spin!
5.2
6
Fletcher to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX, more clean hitting by Omarzai! Tossed up into the slot outside off. Omarzai plants his front foot and cracks it over long off!
5.1
1
Fletcher to WIA Fernando, 1 run, back of a length on the pads. Avishka works it away towards deep mid wicket

Just 13 needed now. The Kings are yet to hit a four. And there are more surprises in store. Fletcher to bowl. Still no Hasnain or Shoriful. Or Ramesh Mendis

END OF OVER:
5 | 18 Runs 2 Wkts | JK: 66/5 (13 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 13.20, RRR: 6.50)

  • Azmatullah Omarzai12 (2b)
  • Avishka Fernando15 (6b)
  • Wanindu Hasaranga1-0-18-2
  • Dasun Shanaka2-0-26-1
4.6
6
Hasaranga to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX, three sixes, two wickets and one over of unparalleled drama! Shortish at the stumps and that is what Omarzai wants. Rocks back, uses his levers and clobbers it over deep square leg!
4.5
6
Hasaranga to Azmatullah Omarzai, SIX, off the mark with a six! It is all happening here! Tossed up full on off. Omarzai's eyes light up and he gives himself room. No half-measures and he lofts it over long off!

Here's Omarzai

4.4
W
Hasaranga to Samarakoon, OUT, two in the over for Hasaranga! Googly floated up full and wide outside off, tempting Samarakoon to slog across the line. He takes up the invitation but comes up second-best. Spoons up off the outside half of the bat and short third makes no mistake!

SMLD Samarakoon c Mohammad Hasnain b Hasaranga 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

4.3
0
Hasaranga to Samarakoon, no run, googly on a shortish length, well outside off. Does not bounce much and comes off very slowly too. Samarakoon is very early into his swing and seems to miss. Hasaranga thinks there might be bat involved but the umpire says otherwise

Samarakoon joins Avishka

4.2
W
Hasaranga to Asalanka, OUT, six and out! Hasaranga has his revenge! Another half-tracker outside off and nine times out of ten, Asalanka would have smashed it into the stands. On this occasion, though, he slices across it and offers a fairly regulation catch to long on. No real emotion from Hasaranga, but this could be a big moment in the game!

KIC Asalanka c Mohammad Haris b Hasaranga 26 (9b 0x4 4x6) SR: 288.88

4.1
6
Hasaranga to Asalanka, SIX, launched into space! A proper half-tracker outside off. Asalanka cannot believe what has been dished up and clatters it over deep mid wicket!

Right. Here's captain Hasaranga. 31 off 18. This could be the game here

END OF OVER:
4 | 20 Runs | JK: 48/3 (31 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 12.00, RRR: 10.33)

  • Avishka Fernando15 (6b)
  • Charith Asalanka20 (7b)
  • Dasun Shanaka2-0-26-1
  • Angelo Mathews2-0-22-2
3.6
6
Shanaka to WIA Fernando, SIX, back to back sixes, and make that 20 runs off the over! Shanaka ventures into Avishka's hitting arc again, and gets met. Absolutely met. Avishka snaps his wrists into action and pounds it over wide long on!

LPL News

Jaffna 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st1BKG MendisP Nissanka
2nd10RR RossouwP Nissanka
3rd2WIA FernandoP Nissanka
4th41KIC AsalankaWIA Fernando
5th0WIA FernandoSMLD Samarakoon
6th24WIA FernandoAzmatullah Omarzai
7th1Azmatullah OmarzaiA Wickramasinghe