A combined effort from the bowlers, followed by Avishka Fernando’s brisk half-century propelled Dambulla Aura to thump holders Jaffna Kings by eight wickets in the fourth match of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Set to chase a modest 130, Dambulla Aura comfortably accumulated 132/2 in response with 22 balls to spare.
Aura’s opener Avishka Fernando spearheaded the run chase with a quick half-century.
Aura openers Fernando and Kusal Mendis scripted a solid start to pursuit as they added 76 runs in just eight overs.
The vital opening partnership was dominated majorly by Fernando, who perished briefly after amassing his half-century.
He remained the top-scorer for the Aura with a 32-ball 52 which featured six boundaries and three sixes.
The Aura endured another blow in the next over when Kusal Mendis miscued one off Dunith Wellalage and the ball went straight to Thisara Perera at deep midwicket. He scored an anchoring 29 from 23 deliveries, laced with four boundaries and a six.
Following back-to-back dismissals, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Perera knitted an unbeaten 47-run partnership and steered Aura to their first victory in the ongoing edition of the LPL.
Perera smashed three boundaries and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 22-ball 34 while Samarawickrama scored 12 not out.
For the Kings, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Wellalage could pick up a wicket.
Opting to bat first, the defending LPL champions Jaffna Kings’ batting lineup faltered and could only pile 129/7 in the allotted 20 overs despite Charith Asalanka’s half-century.
Asalanka top-scored for the Kings with a cautious knock. His 52-ball 56 featured five boundaries.
Towhid Hridoy (24) was the other notable run-getter for the Kings while the rest of their batters failed to contribute significantly.
Binura Fernando led the bowling attack for the Aura with 2/27, followed by Shahnawaz Dahani, Hayden Kerr, Dhananjaya de Silva and Noor Ahmad picking one wicket apiece.
The convincing eight-wicket victory lifted Dambulla Aura to the top of the LPL standings while Jaffna Kings slipped to the fourth.
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