Fireworks in Kandy as 385 Runs Light Up LPL Clash, Jaffna Kings Prevail

• Lizaad Williams became the leading wicket-taker in LPL 2026 with two scalps
• Kandy League of the LPL 2026 began with fireworks as 15 sixes were hit in the match

Jaffna Kings continued to prove their mettle as tournament favorites after they bagged their fourth win across six games and drew level with table toppers Galle Gallants on the points table with eight points.

On Tuesday in the opening game of the Kandy leg of Lanka Premier League 2026, Jaffna Kings posted 202-5 on the back of player of the match Ibrahim Zadran’s enterprising 95 and then restricted Colombo Kaps to 183-9 as Impact sub Dilshan Madushanka picked up 3-30 in his four overs.

Kings were inserted in to bat by Kaps’ captain Kamindu Mendis and Mujeeb Ur Rehman took only 14 balls to vindicate his captain’s decision as he got rid of Avishka Fernando to bring Ibrahim on the crease.

The Afghan batter shared back-to-back fifty run stands with Kamil Mishara and Dunith Wellalage to lay the foundation for just the fourth total beyond the 200-run mark this season. His stay at the crease began in the third over and ended in 19th with James Neesham’s direct hit denying him a second T20 hundred.

Ibrahim’s 65-ball 95 with the help of 12 fours and three sixes was complemented by Kamil Mishara’s quickfire 19-ball 44 that included six fours and two sixes. Wellalage struggled with his 19-ball 17 and was retired for skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa who could just add one to the total.

It was an eight-ball 31-run not out cameo from Towhid Hridoy and his ferocious striking that yielded four sixes and one four as Kings finished with 202-5. Shahnawaz Dahani conceded 71 runs in his four overs, while Neesham took two for 30 in his four.

In reply, Colombo Kaps threatened to take away the game at various points in the chase but eventually fell 19 runs short. Opening batter Sadeera Samarawickrama added 50 runs with Ashen Bandara after losing Rubin Hermann for one.

Bandara struggled in his run-a-ball 15 knock and was run out while Samarawickrama fell to Wellalage. Skipper Mendis threatened to replug his previous game’s heroics with a 13-ball 28 run knock including two sixes and as many fours but his stay was cut short by Traveen Matthew in the 11th over.

Milan Rathnayaka looked hostile collecting 25 runs off 14 balls having hit one four and two sixes but was undone by Madushanka on his 15th ball in the 17th over.

Janith Liyanage (20 off 9, 4x4s) fell to leading-wicket taker Lizaad Williams, while James Neesham (19 off 14, 3x4s) also couldn’t help his team get over the line as the 30-run ask in last over proved to be too big.

Brief Scores

Jaffna Kings 202/5 (20)

Ibrahim Zadran 95 (65)
Kamil Mishara 44 (19)
Towhid Hridoy 31* (8)

James Neesham 2/30 (4)

Colombo Kaps 183/9 (20)

Sadeera Samarawickrama 44 (36)
Kamindu Mendis 28 (13)
Milan Rathnayaka 26 (15)
Janith Liyanage 20 (9)

Dilshan Madushanka 3/30
Lizaad Williams 2/47

Player of the match: Ibrahim Zadran