JK VS KF QUALIFIER 2

Right then, that's it from this thriller of a contest with Jaffna Kings winning over Kandy Falcons by 1 run. The Jaffna Kings will now play the Final of the Lanka Premier League 2024 against Galle Marvels on 21st July 2024 at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the early build-up as well. Until then, take care, and cheers!

The victorious skipper of Jaffna Kings, Charith Asalanka says it's a great feeling to be playing the Final but they have to win the all-important game which is the Final. Adds that he feels confident with the side that featured today but they'll have a discussion on the XI for the Final with the coaching staff.

The losing skipper of Kandy Falcons, Wanindu Hasaranga says the wicket was good and the target was in their reach but it was a good game of cricket, and cricket won in the end. Says that it has been a good journey this campaign and he had a brilliant pool of players at his disposal. Mentions that he enjoyed his time throughout the tournament.

Kusal Mendis IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that they lost wickets early on but he got support from Azmatullah Omarzai and other batters in the end. Says that he paced his innings well keeping the situation in mind and accelerated at the right time. Mentions that he feels good and he will be thinking about the Indian tour after the final.

Presentation...

Earlier in the day, batting first Jaffna Kings scored 187 after 20 overs. Kusal Mendis saved his best for the business end of the tournament and carried his bat scoring a sensational century, his first in LPL. Azmatullah Omarzai played a brilliant cameo of 26 at a strike rate of 200. The other batters couldn't do much and chipped in with a few as well. The bowling wasn't up to the mark by the Kandy Falcons and apart from Chaturanga de Silva who gave away just 22 off his 4 others went for a lot. Chaturanga de Silva, Mohammad Hasnain and Ramesh Mendis took a couple each while Wanindu Hasaranga took one as well.

The bowlers did their job and defended the total marginally. It was the pacers that went for plenty while the spinners curtailed the flow of runs and took wickets as well. The spin duo of Fabian Allen and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth took 7 wickets and gave away just 54 off their 8 overs.

The chase started on a high for Kandy Falcons as they smashed 62 off the first 6 overs and lost just 1 wicket off Dinesh Chandimal. Andre Fletcher was firing on all cylinders but the introduction of spin was the game-changer for Jaffna Kings. At the halfway stage of the chase, the Falcons were on the front foot with the scoreboard reflecting 93 for 3 but the spin duo of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Fabian Allen turned out too hot to handle for their middle order. The Falcons were down and out by the 18th over with 38 needing off the last 2 overs but a late surge by Ramesh Mendis where he and Pavan Rathnayake took Jason Behrendorff for 21 runs in the penultimate over gave the Falcons some hope of getting over the line. Ramesh Mendis almost helped his side home but they ended just 1 short off the target. A brilliant game of cricket this turned out to be. There were contributions from all the batters but nobody played that match-winning knock which was played earlier in the day by Kusal Mendis.

A century from Kusal Mendis, a four-fer from Fabian Allen and almost a blinder off a knock by Ramesh Mendis sums up a thriller of a contest this was. It is Jaffna Kings that win this contest by 1 run and they are now set for a date with Galle Marvels for the title.

Low full toss around leg, Ramesh Mendis slogs but doesn't get it off the middle and ends up flicking this toward deep mid-wicket for a couple. Kandy Falcons ends up 1 run short of the total set by Jaffna Kings. The Kings make it to the final as they win this by 1 run.

Last ball 4 to win. Who is going to face the Marvels in the last game? It all depends on this final delivery.

SIX! Rames Mendis, you beauty. He backed himself by denying the single and now is delivering.

10 needed off 2. A boundary on this would set the game up nicely.

Yorker on off, Ramesh Mendis drills this to long on and comes back for two. A poor throw from Charith Asalanka helps the batters complete the second.

12 off 3 now. Kandy Falcons need a boundary here.

FOUR! One down three to go. Pitched up on off, Ramesh Mendis lofts this straight down the ground for a boundary.

A dicy call as Ramesh Mendis denies the single. Shin height full toss on leg, Ramesh Mendis lofts this off the cue end towards long on for no run. Ramesh Mendis is backing himself to hit three maximums or four fours.

Good thing for Kandy Falcons is Ramesh Mendis is on strike now. 16 needed off the last 5 deliveries.