Jaffna at the mercy of others in LPL

Nothing has gone right for Jaffna Kings this season in the Lanka Premier League despite their big purse and some of the finest cricketing talents in the world. In their last league game yesterday at RPS, Jaffna had to win against Galle Titans to stay out of elimination, but it turned out to be an anti-climax.

Jaffna Kings put out probably their worst performance ever since the franchise was formed as they were shot out for 89 and then Galle Titans knocked off the target inside 14 overs with seven wickets in hand.

The heavy loss meant that Jaffna’s Net Run Rate took a severe beating falling down to -0.17.

Currently, Jaffna, Galle and Colombo are all locked on six points each while B-Love Kandy and Dambulla Aura are through to the semis. The problem for Jaffna is that they have got no games left to secure two more points or to make amends to their Net Run Rate. Literally, Jaffna’s fate is now not in their hands.

Colombo Striker’s have got two games left and even a defeat to B Love Kandy in today’s game doesn’t rule them out of the equation.

Tuesday’s game between Galle and Colombo will decide who will go through to the semis and both teams could still make it at the expense of Jaffna. Literally, Little Jonny has a better chance of winning the next General Elections from Kurunegala than Jaffna making it to the semis.

It was Kasun Rajitha, who created havoc yesterday claiming the wickets of four top order batters including Jaffna’s international stars – Rahmanullah Gurbaz, David Miller and Shoaib Malik – all for single figure scores.

Lahiru Kumara returning from injury was equally deadly accounting for two wickets while Tabraiz Shamzi also picked up two wickets.

There was no trouble for Galle Titans during the run chase as Kiwi Tim Seifert smashed a 42-ball 55 to seal the deal to keep their chances of going through to the next stage alive.

Jaffna will be kicking themselves for they have got so much depth in their squad with many experienced and talented campaigners and this was the last thing they would have experienced.

Brief Scores:

Jaffna Kings 89 all out (20)

(Dunith Wellalage 22, Kasun Rajitha 4-20, Lahiru Kumara 2-13, Tabraiz Shamsi 2-19)

Galle Titans 90-3 (13.3) (Tim Seifert 55)