Chandimal leads Kandy Falcons win in record run chase

Jaffna Kings’ Pathum Nissanka celebrating his first hundred in T20 cricket 

Dinesh Chandimal (right) and Kamindu Mendis set up chase for Kandy with 72 off 37 balls

• Pathum Nissanka’s 119 off 59 balls - highest ever score in a LPL game in vain as Kandy end three-match losing streak

 Former Sri Lanka Captain Dinesh Chandimal led Kandy Falcons to victory with a blazing knock of 89 off 37 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes) in a record run chase that saw them eclipse Jaffna Kings’ total of 224-7 and win by seven wickets with 10 balls to spare in the first double-header of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) at the Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Player of the Match Chandimal’s scorching innings lit up the chase as the defending champions recorded the highest successful run chase in the history of the LPL as the Jaffna bowlers were sent on a leather hunt right through the match. The win also brought to an end Kandy’s three-match losing streak.   Andre Fletcher (13 off 6 balls) and Mohammad Haris (25 off 18) chipped in with cameos, but it was the partnership between Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis (65* off 36 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) of 72 off 37 balls which set up the chase which allowed Angelo Mathews to finish off with an unbeaten cameo (29* off 13, 2 fours, 2 sixes).

Earlier, an outstanding innings of 119 off 59 balls (16 fours, 4 sixes), the highest individual score in the LPL by Pathum Nissanka, saw Jaffna race away to an imposing score of 224-7. 

On his way to this record innings, Nissanka set up several batting records. His 100 off 52 balls was the second fastest after Kusal Perera’s off 50 balls. His 119 surpassed Laurie Evans’ 108* for Colombo Kings v Jaffna Stallions in 2020 as the highest score and he became the first batsman to reach 50 (off 21 balls) inside the first powerplay, the record previously held by Phil Salt in six overs. Nissanka brought up his maiden century in T20 cricket with a six off Shoriful Islam. It was the third century in the ongoing tournament, which in the past has not seen no more than one.

Nissanka added 112 for the opening wicket off 63 balls in a dominating partnership with Kusal Mendis whose contribution was only 26. It was followed by a sparkling 18-ball 41 (2 fours, 4 sixes) cameo innings from Rilee Rossouw which got them their final total. Kandy’s bowlers did their best towards the end capturing five wickets for 22 runs, but the fielding from both teams was poor. 

– (ST)

Scores: 

Jaffna Kings 224-7 (20) (Pathum Nissanka 119, Kusal Mendis 26, Rilee Rossouw 41, Dasun Shanaka 3/40, Dushmantha Chameera 2/44, Ramesh Mendis 2/28)

Kandy Falcons 230-3 (18.2) (Dinesh Chandimal 89, Mohammad Haris 25, Kamindu Mendis 65*, Angelo Mathews 29*, Tabraiz Shamsi 2/46)