LPL 2024 Match Report: Falcons chase mighty target against Kings, Sixers dethrone Marvels — Image via LPL

LPL 2024 Game 11 and 12 Reports

Kandy Falcons vs Jaffna Kings Match Report

In a thrilling encounter at Dambulla on July 9, 2024, the Kandy Falcons chased down a formidable target set by the Jaffna Kings, securing a seven-wicket victory with 10 balls to spare in the Lanka Premier League. The star of the match was Dinesh Chandimal, whose explosive 89 off 37 balls earned him the Player of the Match award.

Jaffna Kings, opting to bat first, amassed an imposing total of 224/7 in their 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a scintillating 119 off 59 balls, decorated with 16 fours and 4 sixes, displaying a masterclass in T20 batting. He found support from Rilee Rossouw, who scored a brisk 41 off 18 balls, and Kusal Mendis, who added 26 off 23 balls.

Despite a strong start, the Kings lost momentum in the final overs due to some disciplined bowling by Kandy Falcons. Dasun Shanaka was the pick of the bowlers for Kandy, claiming 3 wickets for 40 runs. Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with 2 wickets, while Ramesh Mendis also contributed with 2 crucial breakthroughs.

In response, the Kandy Falcons began their chase with aggressive intent. Andre Fletcher provided a quick start, scoring 13 off 6 balls before falling to Pramod Madushan. Dinesh Chandimal then took center stage, launching a blistering assault on the Jaffna bowlers. His innings of 89 included 8 fours and 7 sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 240.54.

Chandimal was well-supported by Mohammad Haris, who contributed 25 off 18 balls, and Kamindu Mendis, who played a composed yet aggressive knock of 65 not out from 36 balls. Angelo Mathews finished the chase in style with an unbeaten 29 off 13 balls, sealing the victory for the Falcons.

Jaffna’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Tabraiz Shamsi being the only bowler to make a significant impact, taking 2 wickets for 46 runs. The rest of the bowlers, including Azmatullah Omarzai and Wanuja Sahan, failed to make inroads as the Falcons chased down the target with ease.

Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Marvels Match Report

In a gripping contest at Dambulla on July 9, 2024, the Dambulla Sixers emerged victorious over the Galle Marvels by 25 runs in the Lanka Premier League’s 12th match. Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s all-round brilliance, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 34 balls and taking 2 wickets for just 1 run, earned him the Player of the Match award.

Opting to bat first, the Dambulla Sixers posted a competitive total of 160/8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was marked by significant contributions from several batsmen, with Chamindu Wickramasinghe leading the charge. He played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings after early wickets fell. Reeza Hendricks (16 off 13 balls) and Kusal Perera (17 off 12 balls) provided a steady start, but it was Wickramasinghe’s aggressive knock that propelled the Sixers to a respectable score. Lahiru Udara (26 off 17 balls) also played a vital part, while Dushan Hemantha chipped in with a handy 15 off 13 balls.

The Galle Marvels’ bowlers had mixed results, with Kavindu Nadeeshan being the standout performer, claiming 3 wickets for just 16 runs in his 4 overs. Isuru Udana was also effective, taking 2 wickets for 16 runs in his 3 overs. Dwaine Pretorius and Maheesh Theekshana contributed with one wicket each, but Zahoor Khan had a tough day, conceding 52 runs in his 4 overs.

In reply, the Galle Marvels struggled to build momentum, losing early wickets. Nuwan Thushara struck early, removing Niroshan Dickwella (7 off 3 balls) and Tim Seifert (0 off 2 balls) in quick succession. Alex Hales (17 off 20 balls) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (7 off 9 balls) failed to provide stability. The middle order crumbled under pressure, with Dushan Hemantha and Dilshan Madushanka making significant inroads.

The lone bright spot in Galle’s innings was Isuru Udana, who launched a counter-attack, scoring a blistering 72 off 38 balls, including 5 fours and 5 sixes. However, his efforts were in vain as wickets continued to fall at the other end. Chamindu Wickramasinghe’s introduction into the attack sealed the game for the Sixers, as he claimed 2 crucial wickets in his short spell, including that of Udana.

Ultimately, the Marvels were bowled out for 135 in 19.4 overs, falling short by 25 runs. Nuwan Thushara and Dushan Hemantha both ended with 3 wickets each, while Dilshan Madushanka and Nuwan Pradeep contributed with a wicket apiece.