Lanka Premier League 2021/22: Jaffna Kings win second successive title

Jaffna Kings clinched their second successive Lanka Premier League title. They beat Galle Gladiators by 23 runs in the final. Avishka Fernando was adjudged Player of the Match for his 41-ball 63 that helped the Kings reach 201/3. In reply, the Gladiators could only manage 178/9.

The Gladiators conceded around 20 extra runs due to their sloppiness in the field. For the second time in a row, the Gladiators reached the final but failed to cross the final hurdle. 

Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz got the Kings off to an explosive start. Gurbaz attacked from the start, hitting a six off Nuwan Thushara, Mohammad Amir and Dhananjaya Lakshan each in the Powerplay. He scored 35 off 18 before getting dismissed by Samit Patel.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore then joined Fernando in the middle, and the duo added 63 for the third wicket. Fernando soon raced away to his half-century. Kohler-Cadmore remained unbeaten on 57, and Shoaib Malik made an 11-ball 23, as the Kings posted an imposing total. Thisara Perera also chipped in with a 9-ball 17.

Kusal Mendis (39) and Danushka Gunathilaka (54) set the tone early for Galle with their attacking display, taking 11 off the first over. In the next over, Jayden Seales conceded three fours. When Maheesh Theekshana returned for his second over, Gunathilaka greeted him with two sixes. 

Gunathilaka completed his half-century in 19 balls, but fell when his attempted loft found Thisara Perera at mid-off. Wanindu Hasaranga struck again, as Ben Dunk fell for a golden duck. Dunk's dismissal reduced them to 63/2.

The rest of the batters could not score anything substantial. Mendis also got run out on 39, and Samit Patel made 22. In the end they could only manage 178/9.

Brief scores: Jaffna Kings 201/3 in 20 overs (Avishka Fernando 63; Samit Patel 1-32) beat Galle Gladiators 178/9 in 20 overs (Danushka Gunathilaka 54; Chaturanga de Silva 2-15) by 23 runs. Player of the Match: Avishka Fernando.

Jaffna Kings won LPL 2021/22. Player of the Season: Avishka Fernando