Jaffna Kings booked their place in a fifth Lanka Premier League final after defeating Galle Gallants by 14 runs in a thrilling Qualifier 1 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Asked to bat first, Jaffna recovered from the early loss of Avishka Fernando, who made 19, through a dominant second wicket partnership between Kamil Mishara and Khawaja Nafay. The pair added 138 runs from only 65 balls, the highest stand of the season, and completely shifted momentum in favour of the four time champions.
Nafay, playing his first innings in the tournament, struck his maiden LPL half century, while Mishara produced the defining performance of the night. After reaching fifty from 31 deliveries, the left hander accelerated sharply and completed his first LPL hundred from just 49 balls.
Towhid Hridoy then supplied a spectacular finish, remaining unbeaten on 54 from 21 deliveries. His late assault, combined with Mishara’s century, carried Jaffna to 242 for 2, the highest total ever recorded in LPL history. Dasun Shanaka’s final over cost 22 runs as the unbroken third wicket stand reached 71 from 28 balls.
Galle’s chase began poorly when Thomas Rogers was dismissed for a three ball duck by Mohamed Shiraz. Sam Harper and Charith Asalanka responded aggressively, helping the Gallants reach 60 inside four overs. Harper made 44 from 21 balls before Lizaad Williams removed both set batters.
After slipping to 97 for 4, Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka revived the chase with a rapid 63 run partnership from 27 deliveries. Karunaratne scored 39 and Shanaka added 34, but their dismissals in successive overs ended Galle’s strongest resistance.
Sachindu Colombage struck an unbeaten 27 from nine balls, yet the Gallants closed on 228 for 7. Shiraz led Jaffna’s attack with 3 for 32, sealing another final appearance for the Kings.
