Jaffna Kings secure LPL final spot with thrilling one-run win over Kandy Falcons

The Jaffna Kings have secured their spot in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 final for the third time in four years. They achieved this by defeating the Wanindu Hasaranga-led Kandy Falcons in Qualifier 2 on Saturday, July 20, in a thrilling match that went down to the last ball. Jaffna edged out the defending champions by just one run to set up a final clash against the Galle Marvels.

Opting to bat first, the Jaffna Kings posted a total of 181/7, thanks largely to an explosive unbeaten century from opener Kusal Mendis. The wicketkeeper-batter's 105 runs off 54 balls, including 12 fours and five sixes, marked his first hundred in the LPL. Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 26 runs off 13 balls, batting at number seven. Despite low scores from other top-order batsmen like Pathum Nissanka (18), Rilee Rossouw (7), Avishka Fernando (11), captain Charith Asalanka (4), and Dhananjaya de Silva (5), Mendis' remarkable innings ensured a competitive total for Jaffna.

In their chase, Kandy Falcons started strongly, scoring 48 runs in the first four overs. However, opener Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed for 11 runs at the beginning of the fifth over, with most of the early damage done by his partner Andre Fletcher, who scored 38 off 21 balls. West Indies left-arm spinner Fabian Allen and others managed to reel Kandy back, with Allen finishing with impressive figures of 4/24 in four overs and Viyaskanth taking three wickets for 30 runs in three overs.

Pakistan's Mohammad Haris added 26 runs off 20 balls, forming a 31-run partnership with Kamindu Mendis before falling in the 11th over. Kandy Falcons, initially at 93/3, quickly stumbled to 126/5 and then to 144/8. Needing 38 runs from the last two overs, Kandy’s number 10 batter Ramesh Mendis made a valiant effort, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 11 balls. His aggressive batting, which included boundaries and a six, brought Kandy close, but they fell short by one run. Ramesh Mendis could only manage two runs off the final delivery from Asitha Fernando, sealing a narrow victory for Jaffna Kings.