Omarzai’s fireworks steers Jaffna Kings to thrilling win

By M. Shamil Amit Reporting from Dambulla

(Daily Mirror) - Azmatullah Omarzai’s fireworks paved the way as Tim Seifert’s unbeaten ton for Galle Marvels was in vain for Jaffna Kings to pull off a thrilling five-wicket win with two balls remaining over unbeaten Galle Marvels in the sixth match of the fifth Lanka Premier League tournament played under floodlights at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

Omarzai came into the crease at the fall of the fifth wicket, with Jaffna Kings needing 46 runs to win in 21 balls, as he guided the side to achieve it with a quick-fire 13-ball knock of 35, which had four boundaries and two sixes to help his side inflict the first defeat of the unbeaten Galle Marvels side.

Jaffna Kings, in pursuit of 188 runs, underwent some anxious moments, though they were moving on briskly with the run rate while racing to 50 in 29, 100 in 68 balls, and 150 in 104 balls, guided by Rilee Rossouw, who held onto sharing brief partnerships along the way.

Rossouw’s dismissal, having made 67 in 42 balls with eight boundaries and three sixes, left Jaffna Kings with the daunting task of making 46 runs in 21, which Omarzai and skipper Charith Asalanka together saw them through with Omarzai playing the anchor role.

Earlier in the day, Galle Marvels, invited to take first lease of the wicket, made steady progress as right-hand batsman Seifert came to the rescue as he was associated in three fruitful partnerships. Siefert, along with Bhanuka Rajapakse, put up the side's 50 runs on the board, and at the halfway stage of the innings, they were on 75 for 2.
The pair went on to post their 50-run stand in 38 balls for the third wicket, which followed with the 100 runs being hosted, which came off 74 balls, before the pair were separated nine runs later with the dismissal of Rajapakse, who made 28, having added 69 runs in 51 balls for the third wicket.

Seifert and Sahan Arachchige took control of the innings from there on and posted the 150 runs of the side, and one run later Arachchige fell victim, having added 37 runs for the fourth wicket.

Janith Liyanage joining Seifert further frustrated the Jaffna Kings bowlers, and the pair added 32 runs for the fifth wicket in only 17 balls before Liyanage ran himself out. Seifert raced to his ton in the last delivery of the innings with a boundary, making it in 63 balls, which had 12 boundaries and half a dozen sixes, which was his third T20 century, which helped Galle Marvels to end with a formidable score of 187/5, which proved to be in vain.

Today two matches are down for decision: Kandy Falcons vs. Colombo Strikers at 3.00 p.m. and Jaffna Kings vs. Dambulla Sixers at 7.00 p.m.

Result:

• At Rangiri Dambulla – Jaffna Kings won by five wickets

Galle Marvels 187/5 in 20 overs (Bhanuja Rajapakse 28, Alex Hales 23, Tim Seifert 104 n.o.: Azmatullah Omarzai 2/33)

Jaffna Kings 191/5 in 19.4 overs (Rilee Rossouw 67, Kusal Mendis 30, Azmatullah Omarzai 35 n.o.: Zahoor Khan 2/33)