Jaffna Kings outclass Kandy Royals by 93 runs as Shiraz and Wellalage take three each

• Jaffna Kings opening pair of Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara laid the foundation for big score with a 129-run stand

Dambulla, 26th July 2026:

Jaffna Kings made light work of the Kandy Royals in the 13th match of the Lanka Premier League and first game of the Sunday double-header by handing them a thumping 93-run defeat at the Rangiri International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.

Player of the match Kamil Mishara and Avishka Fernando’s 129-run opening stand after opting to bat first led the Kings to 199/4 in 20 overs before Mohammad Shiraz and Wellalage took three scalps each to decimate Royals.

The opening stand is the highest partnership for any wicket this season so far, while seventh-highest in LPL’s history. Mishara and league’s leading run-scorer of all time Fernando plundered runs at ease as they brought up first fifty runs off 30 balls and 100 runs off 58 balls, while the partnership lasted for 12.5 overs.

Fernando was removed by leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha for 66 off 36 balls having struck 10 fours and two sixes, while Mishara became Shaheen Afridi’s first of three wickets as he departed for 78 off 53 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes.

While Shaheen picked up Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the same over as Mishara – 17th, and later Chaminud Wickramsinghe in 19th, Kings finished with a flourish. Towhid Hridoy closed the innings with a six a he remained unbeaten for 35 off 21 balls inclusive of two fours as well.

In reply, Kandy Royals were bowled out for 106 in 18.2 overs with only opening batter Lahiru Udara standing out with fighting half-century as wickets fell at regular intervals. Shiraz accounted for Kusal Perera and Dale Phillps to dent the innings early on.

Left-arm spinner Wellalage got into the act with the wicket of Vijay Shankar before snapping up Wanindu Hasaranga and Hemantha. Shakib Al Hasan got rid of the dangerous Moeen Ali as Royals slipped from 75-5 to 95-9.

Shaheen – the only other Royals batter apart from Udara to get into double figures – saved them from the ignominy of getting bowled below the 100-run mark by adding 22 runs to the total hitting one fours and two sixes.
Brief Scores

Jaffna Kings won by 93 runs

Jaffna Kings 199/4 (20)

Kamil Mishara 78 (53)
Avishka Fernando 66 (36)
Towhid Hridoy 35* (21)

Shaheen Shah Afridi 3/27 (4)

Kandy Royals 106/10 (18.2)

Lahiru Udara 54 (41)
Shaheen Shah Afridi 22 (19)

Mohammad Shiraz 3/18 (3.2)
Dunith Wellalage 3/21 (4)

Player of the match: Kamil Mishara