Galle Gladiators thrash Jaffna Kings to reach final

Roscoe Thattil reporting from Sooriyawewa

The Galle Gladiators made it three out of three during the LPL 2021as they beat Jaffna Kings by 64 runs to book their place in the final scheduled for December 23.

Kings skipper Thisara Perera’s decision to field first backfired from the start as the Gladiators’ opening duo of Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka put on a century stand for the opening wicket.

While Gunathilaka fell for a well-made 55, Mendis went on to bat deep into the innings before he was finally dismissed for 85. He hit seven fours and four sixes in a breathtaking knock which came off just 53 balls.

Three massive sixes from skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa gave much needed impetus to the latter part of the Gladiators’ innings as they made 188 for five wickets. Wahab Riaz and skipper Perera were on the expensive side with ball in hand but they managed to pick up two wickets apiece.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz came out all guns blazing and hit some of the biggest sixes in the tournament on his way to a quick-fire 59 runs off just 37 balls for Jaffna during the run chase. He hardly found any company as Wanindu Hasaranga was the only other batsman to reach double figures for the Kings as they succumbed to an impressive Gladiators outfit.

Nuwan Thushara with a sling arm action like Lasith Malinga had a day to remember as he returned figures of 5/13 in just 3.5 overs for the Gladiators as the Kings were bowled out for 124 runs. Thushara bowled with great control as he used his yorkers and slower balls to keep the Jaffna batters guessing throughout their innings.

The Kings will now play the Dambulla Giants in the second qualifier today in Hambantota.