Dambulla Aura inflict third defeat on Jaffna Kings

Kusal Perera

By M. Shamil Amit Reporting from Pallekele Stadium
Dambulla Aura inflicted a third defeat on defending and three-time champions Jaffna Kings, recording a nine-run win in the Lanka Premier League at the Pallekele International Stadium yesterday.
Dambulla also avenged their 21-run defeat suffered at the hands of Jaffna in the first round of matches played last week and in the process chalked up their third win of the tournament.
Jaffna Kings in their run chase of 135 runs were made to struggle, unable to come to terms with the pace trio of Hasan Ali, Binura Fernando and Hayden Kerr who combined with good effect to send the Kings reeling to 27 for 4 in the seventh over, before they were restricted to a score of 125.
Despite Shoaib Malik and Dunith Wellalage putting in some resistance and succeeding to share a brief stand of 39 runs for the fifth wicket, the separation of the pair saw them again losing wickets at regular intervals while Malik lost partners at the other end.

Left with the daunting task of making 61 runs in the last five overs with Malik the only recognized batsman, who remained unbeaten on 74 made in 53 balls which had five boundaries and six sixes, Jaffna slumped to defeat.
Dambulla Aura taking first lease of the wicket had an inauspicious start as they lost their openers Avishka Fernando and skipper Kusal Mendis, with both being dismissed for ducks in the first four balls of the first over with just one run on the board.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Perera put on a rescue act with the pair sharing a stand of 51 runs for the third wicket before spinner Wellalage separated them with the wicket of Samarawickrama.

But they fell back again as they lost three quick wickets for the addition of 33 runs and slid from 52 for 3 to 85 for 6 in the 15th over which included Kusal Perera who made a top score of 41. 
Hayden Kerr who remained unbeaten on 25 held on for Dambulla Aura to end their innings with a score of 134 for 8.

Results 
At Pallekele – Dambulla Aura won by nine runs
Dambulla Aura 134 for 8 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 41, Sadeera Samarawickrama 30, Hayden Kerr 25 n.o.: Shoaib Malik 2 for 13, Nuwan Thushara 2 for 26)
Jaffna Kings 125 for 7 in 20 overs (Dunith Wellalage 16, Shoib Malik 74 n.o.: Hasan Ali 3 for 20)