Shakib Al Hasan’s Goal Titans got off to a great start in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) but lost in four consecutive matches. Then they saw victory. Gaul defeated Jaffna Kings by 7 wickets in the first match of the day in LPL. Jaffna was bowled out for 89 runs at the start. In response, Shakibra won with 39 balls and 7 wickets in hand.
At the beginning of the match, after winning the toss, the batsmen of Jaffna Kings could not stand at the crease due to the bowling balls of Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara. After losing 4 wickets for just 7 runs, five batsmen returned to Sajghar in the power play. Jaffna was under pressure at the beginning and could not turn around.
Dunith Wellalage played the highest innings of 22 runs for the team. Besides, Thisara Perera and Mahesh Thiksena scored 13 runs. Dilshan Madhuska scored 12 runs. None of the remaining batters could touch the double digits.
Kasun Rajitha took the maximum four wickets for Gaul Titans. Tabriz Samsi and Lahiru Kumara took two wickets each. And in 4 overs, Shakib took a wicket at the cost of only 13 runs.
Gall Titans opener Vanuka Rajapakse scored 15 runs chasing runs. Opener Tim Scheiffert made a partnership of 51 runs with Chad Bowes for the second wicket. That’s why the team got the basis of victory. Meanwhile, Scheifert completed his fifty. Get out for 55 runs. And Shakib scored 2 runs.
Later Bowes-Shanaka combined to secure the victory. Bowes remained unbeaten on 13 runs and Shanaka on 2 runs. Rajitha was adjudged Man of the Match.
(13 August/MM)