LPL 2022: Gurbaz’s knock of 73 helps Jaffna Kings beat Dambulla Aura by 51 runs
At the Lanka Premier League 2022 on Sunday, the defending champions, Jaffna Kings, defeated Dambulla Aura by 51 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The Jaffna Kings batted first and scored a massive 240 runs, losing four wickets. Shevon Daniel and Jordan Cox started the game for Dambulla Aura. Binura Fernando, on the other hand, sent Jordan back to the pavilion for 5 runs.
The Jaffna Kings scored a staggering 240 runs in their opening innings while losing only four wickets. Shevon Daniel and Jordan Cox started the first two innings of the Dambulla Aura response. Jordan was however ordered by Binura Fernando to return to the pavilion for 5 runs.
Gurbaz plays a blinder in first inning
For Jaffna Kings, Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a brilliant knock. He scored a superb 73 runs from 35 balls. His innings included seven boundaries and five sixes.Gurbaz was well supported by Avishka Fernando, who made 54 runs from 30 balls. His innings was laced with six boundaries and two sixes.
Shoaib Malik and Sadeera Samarawickrama contributed with 32 and 38 not out runs respectively.For Dambulla Aura, Lahiru Kumara picked 2-56, while Pramod Madushan and Dushan Hemantha picked one wicket each.
Shanaka efforts go in vain
Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shevon put up a 24-run partnership before Shevon was dismissed by Binura Fernando. Bhanuka made 38 runs from 31 balls, which included 5 boundaries.Toward the end of the innings, captain Dasun Shanaka made a quickfire 44 from 23 balls. His innings was laced with four boundaries and three sixes. Ravindu Fernando was unbeaten at 19 from 13 balls.
However, Dambulla Aura still fell short of the target by 51 runs.
For Jaffna Kings, Binura Fernando was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped 4-22 from his allotted four overs. On the other hand, Suminda took two wickets, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilshan Madushanka took one wicket each.Earlier, after winning the toss, Dambulla Aura elected to bowl first.
With this win Jaffna King move closer t the top of the table. They currently have the same points as the Kandy Falcons, only difference between them is the NRR.
