COLOMBO: Galle Gallants thumphed Jaffna Kings by 36 runs in the opening match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Friday.
More to follow…
Asked to bat first, Charith Asalanka’s gutsy fifty and late cameos by Dasun Shanaka and Mohammad Nawaz took Galle Gallants to 213-6 in 20 overs.
Lasith Croospulle only scored one in a 41-run opening stand dominated by Sam Harper, who hit a quick-fire 41 off 19, including eight fours and a six. However, Kings hit back with two quick wickets.
Charith Asalanka and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 36 for the third wicket before Lizaad Williams sent back the former, who made 10.
With 82-3 at the half-way mark, Asalanka and Sahan Arachchige forged a 74 run stand, laying a foundation for big total. Asalanka top-scored with 65 from 38 deliveries, striking three maximums seven fours.
Arachchige contributed with 35 off 24 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours.
The late impetus to the innings was provided by Dasun Shanaka and Mohammad Nawaz. Shanaka smashed 31 off just nine balls including three sixes, while Nawaz scored 21 from nine balls, also striking three sixes
For Jaffna Kings, Piyush Chawla and Lizaad Williams shared four wickets between them.
Playing XIs
Galle Gallants: Lasith Croospulle, Sam Harper(w), Chamika Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Nawaz, Dinura Kalupahana, Sahan Arachchige, Akif Javed, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
Jaffna Kings: Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa(w/c), Ibrahim Zadran, Kamil Mishara, Nuwanidu Fernando, David Wiese, Dunith Wellalage, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Maneesha, Dilshan Madushanka, Lizaad Williams
