The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
So, the defending champions start off the tournament in a pleasant manner, defending 173 runs in 20 overs with ease. They grab some crucial points in the bag and kick-off on a high.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage from us. This is Arijit signing off along with my esteemed co-commentator, Pradeep. Stick around the Sportskeeda network for some more actions around sporting world.
Thisara Perera [Jaffna Kings Captain]: Yeah, it’s really good start in the 4th edition of LPL. We started very well and did a good job. Definitely, very confident with my players. If someone has gone, no worries about that, I will be building a new team. David Miller, Nandre Burger, I think they arrived and they will be available from the next match.
Chamika Karunaratne [Colombo Strikers stand-in captain]: I think we took a good decision, should've restricted them to 160, but should've chased a 170 plus on that track. We were short of one batter in the middle overs, we went with a local player as they know the conditions better. The run-out was crucial, I could've finished the game, Ramesh was going good and three sixes would've done for us.
Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: Really happy about my progress in LPL. [On discussion with Ravichandran Ashwin] We're talking in Instagram, he said good luck and it's a good opportunity bowling to the batters in LPL. Not much plan, bowling wicket to wicket and it helps me picking up the wicket.
The Colombo Strikers seemed to be in the chase as long as their skipper, Niroshan Dickwela as at one end. As soon as he was dismissed, the lower-order failed to step up and succumbed to the building pressure.
After a minute start, Babar Azam was cleaned up by veteran Thisara Perera. Pathum Nissanka, another prolific batter of Colombo Strikers followed him to the pavilion in quick time. There was a brisk partnership etched between Dickwela and Nuwanidu Fernando but the latter failed to get along for long, gifting his wicket in the form of a soft dismissal.
Dickwella displayed a skipper's knock and assaulted the Jaffna bowlers from one end, ticking up 58 runs off 34 balls. Dilshan Madushanka, who was teed off for 15 runs in the first over thrusted back with the prized scalp.
It was a complete effort from the bowling unit and some impressive fielding helped them apply more pressure. Eventually, 23 runs were required from the final over with just a solitary wicket in hand. Ultimately, the Strikers failed to get to the target and ended up with a deficit of 21 runs.
Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Nishan Madushka opened the innings for Jaffna with the former striking two sixes and a four in quick time. The Afghan was removed by Naseem Shah in the third over, and Madushka followed him to the hut in the sixth over.
There were brisk partnerships in the middle of which Hridoy was a part. Firstly, Priyamal Perera assisted him for the fourth wicket, gluing 41 runs together. Secondly, it was Dunith Wellalage who succored the Bangladesh batter for the fifth wicket. The duo added fifty runs together before Hridoy was holed out in the deep in the 19th over. The 22-year-old went on to notch a half-century, which is also the first of the competition.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation ceremony.
19.4 Dilshan Madushanka to Matheesha Pathirana, OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! It's all over and Jaffna Kings start off the title defense with a win of the very first game. Full and straight on the stumps, Pathirana backed away and looks to swing hard, but misses and through to rattle the stumps. Clinical victory from the Kings here!
Matheesha Pathirana b Dilshan Madushanka 8 (8b, 2x4, 0x6).
19.3 Dilshan Madushanka to Matheesha Pathirana, OH! Shuffles too much inside the crease, ends up backing away and exposes all his stumps. Madushanka bowls it on the fifth stump and Pathirana had to reach, but misses it by a mile.
Colombo at least needs to get a four in this ball. Else, the hopes will sink unless an extra.
19.2 Dilshan Madushanka to Matheesha Pathirana, bangs in the short delivery over leg-stump, Pathirana backed away and goes to pull, but ends up feeling the fresh air of Colombo.
19.1 Dilshan Madushanka to Lakshan Sandakan, short delivery on the off-stump, Sandakan looks to pull but top edged it down to third-man, doesn't carry as they get a single.
;'/></svg>){kind=small}
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
Video
;'/></svg>)
