PALLEKELE: Shakib Al Hasan picked up a three-wicket haul as Jaffna Kings defeated Kandy Royals by 21 runs in the 18th fixture of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
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Set a daunting 222, Royals were bowled out for 200 on the final ball of the innings.
Earlier, Jaffna Kings posted a massive total against Kandy Royals in the 18th fixture of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026
Put into bat first, Kings racked up 221-6 in 20 overs, largely due to a big opening stand.
Kamil Mishara and Avishka Fernando shared 95 runs inside seven overs. The former fell one shy of a half-century, smashing five sixes and two fours, whereas Fernando was substituted out before scoring 36 on 22 with the aid of three fours and a six.
After a challenging powerplay, Royals bowlers pulled things back with quick wickets, leaving Kings 139-5 in 14.2 overs.
However, Shakib Al Hasan and Chamindu Wickramasinghe stitched a 59-run partnership off just 23 balls to take their side into a commanding position.
Wickramasinghe struck four sixes and three fours in his 15-ball 43. Shakib made 22 off 16, including a six and a four.
Moeen Ali and Wanindu Hasaranga shared four wickets between them. On the contrary, Shaheen Afridi remained wicketless and conceeded 43 in his three overs.
Playing XIs
Kandy Royals (Playing XI): Lahiru Udara, Kusal Perera(w), Pawan Sandesh, Dale Phillips, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga(c), Dushan Hemantha, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Zahir Khan, Shaheen Afridi
Jaffna Kings (Playing XI): Kamil Mishara(w), Avishka Fernando, Ibrahim Zadran, Dunith Wellalage, Bhanuka Rajapaksa(c), Towhid Hridoy, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Shakib Al Hasan, Traveen Mathew, Mohamed Shiraz, Zahoor Khan
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