Colombo, Dec 24 (AdaDerana) – Opting to bat Jaffna Kings were off to a flying start as Avishka Fernando and R Gurbaz added 56 runs for the opening wicket inside the powerplay. Galle enjoyed the first success in the sixth over when Samit Patel removed R Gurbaz at the score of 35.
Avishka Fernando then steadied the innings with T K Cadmore and stitched a 63-run partnership for the second wicket. Avishka slammed 8 fours and 2 sixes in his 63 runs knock.
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TK Cadmore and Shoaib Malik then continued the grind as Jaffna Kings eventually posted 201/3. TK Cadmore returned unbeaten on 57 off 41 deliveries while Shoaib Malik managed 23 off 11 deliveries.
In reply, Galle Gladiators were off to a terrific start as D Gunathilaka (54) and K Mendis (39) added 63 runs in just 4.2 overs with Gunathilaka slamming a 19-ball fifty. W Hasaranga provided the first breakthrough to Jaffna Kings as he removed Gunathilaka and Ben Dunk on consecutive deliveries to bring Kings back in the game.
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Kusal Mendis, however, kept hold of one end and stitched small partnerships with M Hafeez and B Rajapaksa to keep Gladiators alive in the run chase. However, he, unfortunately, got run-out in the 14th over. Once Mendis was out, Jaffna Kings kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. In the end, Galle Gladiators managed 178/9 falling short by 23 runs of the target.
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