Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (69) and Avishka Fernando (40 n.o) made a solid partnership of 105 in 11.5 overs as Jaffna Kings recorded an easy eight wickets win over Colombo Stars in their LPL cricket fixture played at R.Premadasa International cricket stadium yesterday.

Afghan opener Gurbaz anchored the innings while making an explosive knock of 69 in 40 balls with eight fours and four sixes. Avishka Fernando played a good supporting role to chase their 129 runs target. The 21 year old right hand wicket keeper Gurbaz who was named Man of the Match said, Avishka is my good partner and I think he is my most successful partner for the open batting”.

Earlier Colombo Stars couldn’t get good start and was 53 for five wickets after ten overs. Openers Niroshan Dikwella who was the acting skipper this game and Dinesh Chandimal both got out for a duck with in first three overs while Charith Asalanka once again not up to the expectations hit one six and went back to the pavilion. Dhananjaya Lakshan who replaced for regular skipper Angelo Mathews could only get one run.

Nishan Madushka played his second LPL game shown his potential to get 35 in 44 balls with a six while England’ s Ravi Bopara 20 in 19 balls and Dominic Drakes 38 in 20 balls with four boundaries and two sixes tried to repair the innings but their efforts were not enough with Jaffna Kings bowlers fought back strongly to restrict their opponents to 128 for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Skipper Thisara Perera and experienced Shoaib Malik took two wickets each for Jaffna Kings.

Angelo Mathews the regular Colombo Stars skipper who was rested yesterday said Colombo Stars already entered the semi finals and they wanted to give exposure for youngsters and as a result Dhananjaya Lakshan was replaced for his place.

Chief scores

Colombo Stars 128 for 9 wickets in 20 overs (Nishan Madushka 35,Ravi Bopara 20, Dominic Drakes 38, Benny Howell 11*, Thisara Perera 2/14, Shoaib Malik 2/4,Zaman Khan 1/22, Asitha Fernando 1/31, Praveen Jayawickrama 1/23, Suminda Lakshan 1/29)

Jaffna Kings 131 for 2 wickets in 15.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 69, Avishka Fernando 40*, Dominic Drakes 1/30, Jeffrey Vandersay 1/33).