DAMBULLA: Sahan Arachchige’s fifty, backed by a resounding bowling effort, powered Galle Gallants to a 60-run victory over Jaffna Kings in the 10th fixture of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Thursday.
Set a daunting 194, Kings were bowled out for 133 in 17.5 overs.
Tharindu Ratnayake tore through Jaffna Kings’ batting lineup, leaving 50-5 at the end of the powerplay. Kamil Mishara scored 15 while Avishka Fernando managed only six. Seasoned batter Shakib Al Hasan could not trouble the batters much as he was castled without scoring. Ibrahim Zadran made 11 before holding out to deep square leg.
David Wiese and Dunith Wellalage tried to arrest the slide with a 39-run stand. However, Wiese departed after scoring 27 from 20 balls.
Consequently, Kings slipped from 89-6 to 99-8 in 12.3. Wellallage resisted with a half-century and eventually emerged as top scorer in a shambolic display. He made 56 off 39, hitting four fours, sixes, and four boundaries.
For Galle Gallants, Eshan Malinga and Tharindu Ratnayake remained impressive with the ball, both picking up three wickets.
Earlier, Sahan Arachchige’s gutsy half-century and Mohammad Nawaz’s cameo propelled Galle Gallants to a strong total.
Asked to bat first, Galle Gallants racked up 193-8 in 20 overs, despite a jittery start.
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Gallants slipped to 16-2 and then 86-5 at the halfway mark. Chris Lynn remained the bright spot in the top order, scoring 46 off 22 balls, including four sixes and three fours.
With the side in dire trouble at 110-6 in 14.1 overs, Mohammad Nawaz and Sahan Arachchige added 68 off just 30 balls to put Gallanst into a strong position.
Arachchige hit 63 from 36 balls, including three sixes and four fours, whereas Nawaz contributed with 27 from 16 deliveries, with the aid of two sixes and two fours.
Lizaad Williams and Dilshan Madushanka shared four wickets between them.
Earlier, Colombo Kaps secured a 23-run win over Kandy Royals in the ninth match played at the same venue.
Set 193, Kandy Royals fell short and could only manage 169-8 in 20 overs. Skipper Angelo Mathews top-scored, hitting 39 on 24 balls with the aid of five boundaries and a six.
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