Fielding played a key role in Jaffna Kings’ success, says Thisara
Thisara Perera provided good leadership to take LPL title for the Jaffna Kings team for the second successive year . .They lost to Galle Gladiators three times in a row in this second edition of the LPL but their fighting spirit was very high in the final especially their fielding was outstanding to retain the title.
Skipper Thisara Perera said after the final ‘ I am really honoured to lead this team. Our owner gave me the power to pick the team, I am really happy to lead the team finally we retained the title in grand style. Actually Galle opener Danushka Gunathileka batted really well at the beginning but we knew , 200 is difficult to chase especially in the final and that’s what I said to the boys and encouraged them said Perera.
 Kusal Mendis who scored highest runs of the tournament making a shot at final |
I think we did better than last year, we can do better next year. Thanks to the fans, they cheered for us, thanks everyone and especially credit should go to SLC ,the sponsors ,Sports Ministry and Minister of Sports for successfully conducting this LPL at this hard time added Thisara Perera.
Meanwhile runners up team Galle Gladiators Captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa said “I am very satisfied with the boys. We didn’t win the title, but the effort put in was amazing. Yet again we finished second, hoping we can do it next year.”
It’s like playing a series against Jaffna. The effort was put in by the openers. Danushka Gunathileka showed his class with a brisk knock. After a good start from the openers we lost a couple of quick wickets and we lost the momentum..In addition we dropped too many catches and lost the match by 23 runs. Actually poor fielding affected the final game.However personally, I am happy with the performance and the leadership that I showed. Our players made a made good effort. Especially I want to thank the supporting staff, all the franchises, all the doctors and everyone who was behind this achievement and also the fans who always encouraged us. Jaffna Kings opener Avishka Fernando was adjudged man of the final as well as player of the series.
He scored one and only century of this LPL while his knock of 62 runs at the final paved the way to win this title with good support from his co opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz who was always in an aggressive mood. The 23 year old right hander Avishka Fernando after receiving two main awards said I have done my best and I am extremely pleased with my skills. I batted at number four in the World Cup but, I like to bat at the top of the order and opener I made my best effort for the team success. I always use my normal style to build up my innings and it was really successful and very happy to get two major awards player of the final as well as player of the series.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and State Minister D.V Chanaka ,SLC President Shammi Silva, CEO Ashley de Silva and Tournamant Director and VP Ravin Wickramaratne were present at the awards ceremony.
Meanwhile Dambulla Giants Janith Liyanage was named best emerging player of the tournament. Kusal Mendis of Galle Gladiators was the tournaments highest scorer with 327 runs while Avishka Fernando was placed second with 312 runs.
Galle Gladiators leg spinner Samit Patel and Jaffna Kings mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana had the most wickets 16 each while Jayden Seales the paceman of Jaffna Kings and Dambulla Giants leg spinner Imran Thahir finished with 15 wickets each .Tom Kholer-Cadmore hit highest number of sixes of 20 while Avishka Fernando hit 19 sixes and Thisara Perera hit 14 sixes during this tournamant.
Colombo Stars leg spinner Jeffrey Vandasay had the best bowling figures of 6 for 25 against Kandy Warriors while second best figures 5 for 13 was by Galle Gladiators paceman Nuwan Thushara against Jaffna Kings in their qualifier 1 game.
