Galle Marvels prevail in thrilling last ball win

By M. Shamil Amit Reporting from Pallekele

(Daily Mirror) - Galle Marvels prevailed in a thrilling last ball win by five wickets over Jaffna Kings in the second match of the Lanka Premier League tournament encounter played at the Pallekele Stadium.

Galle Marvels despite being given a sound start of 66 runs by openers’ skipper Niroshan Dickwella and Alex Hales underwent some anxious moments as they lost wickets at regular intervals which saw them left with nine runs to make in six balls which they achieved with a last ball boundary by Sahan Arachchige.

Galle Marvels chasing a target of 178 runs for victory saw the openers Alex Hales and skipper Niroshan Dickwella giving them a sound start whilst sending the Jaffna Kings bowlers on a leather hunt as the pair put up 50 runs on the board in just 29 balls but they were separated having put on a quick fire stand of 66 in just 43 balls.

This followed with Hales joined by Tim Seifert adding 44 runs for the second wicket but with the dismissal of Seifert saw them lose three quick wickets for the addition of 35 runs which included Hales who cracked 65 in 47 balls which had seven boundaries and two sixes.

Janith Liyanage who hit 25 in 13 balls and Sahan Arachchige put on 32 runs for the fifth wicket before Liyanage was dismissed which left Galle Marvels to get five runs off three balls as Arachchige’s last ball boundary saw them through.

Earlier Jaffna Kings skipper Charith Asalanka winning the toss and electing to bat saw openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis making smooth progress before Mendis fell victim to right arm pacie Zahoor Khan with 20 runs on the board.

There after Nissanka and Avishka Fernando who both made half tons settled down and the pair took control and posted the side's 50 runs on the board which followed with their 50 run stand for the second wicket coming off in 35 balls.

Nissanka was the first of the two to reach the half century which came off 33 balls which had six boundaries and a six. They succeeded to put up Jaffna Kings 100 runs on the board before the pair were separated one run later with the dismissal of Nissanka, who made a quick fire 51 in 33 balls inclusive of six boundaries and two sixes and sharing a 81 run stand for the second wicket.

They lost two quick wickets for the addition of 25 runs before including the wicket of Fernando who made a top score of 59 in 48 balls that comprised seven boundaries and a six.

Skipper Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva shared a brief 36 runs in 16 balls for the fifth wicket before Asalanka fell victim to right arm pacie Khan having made 33. With Jaffna Kings on 162 for 5 and left with 16 balls to face they lost two wickets having added 15 runs to end with a score of 177 for 7.

Chief Scores:

Jaffna Kings 177 for 7 in 20 overs (Avishka Fernando 59, Pathum Nissanka 51, Charith Asalanka 33: Zahoor Khan 3/34, Dwaine Pretorius 2/23, Isuru Udana 2/60)

Galle Marvels 179 for 5 in 20 overs (Alex Hales 65, Niroshan Dickwella 47, Jnith Liyanage 25: Fabian Allen 2/33, Asitha Fernando 2/37) 

Pix by: Kushan Pathiraja