Match Details
Earlier, the Jaffna Kings opted to bat first and put up a formidable score of 170 runs, with Afif Hossain💪 leading the charge with a standout performance of 54 runs off 35 balls. Despite the strong showing by the Kings, the Galle Gladiators' Wahab Riaz proved to be a formidable opponent, taking three wickets for 37 runs in his four overs.
The Galle Gladiators' pursuit of the Jaffna Kings' 170 runs got off to a rocky start, with a couple of quick wickets falling in the second over. Asad Shafiq provided a glimmer of hope with 10 runs off nine balls, but it wasn't enough to steady the ship. Skipper Kusal Mendis and Nuwanidu Fernando fought back with a 36-run partnership, but Fernando's departure for 22 runs off 11 balls put the Gladiators on the back foot once again.
Iftikhar Ahmed came out with all guns blazing as he smashed a couple of big sixes, but despite his valiant effort, Ahmed was unable to stay on the field for long as he departed after scoring 23 runs off 19 balls and built a partnership of 45 runs for the fifth wicket.
Despite an impressive performance by skipper Kusal Mendis, who scored 58 runs off 45 balls, the Galle Gladiators fell short in their pursuit of the Jaffna Kings' 170 runs, finishing with a final score of 154. Mendis fought hard for his team but was unable to bat till the end, departing in the 19th over. In the end, the Gladiators fell just 16 runs short of victory.
The Jaffna Kings' bowling attack was on point, with Binura Fernando leading the charge with three wickets. James Fuller and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth chipped in with a couple of wickets each, and Theekshana rounded out the performance with one wicket of his own. Together, the Kings' bowlers were able to shut down the Galle Gladiators' run chase and secure a 16-run victory.
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