Cricket

In a thrilling Lanka Premier League (LPL) final, Jaffna Kings emerged victorious, chasing down a daunting target of 185 against Galle Marvels. The triumph marked the fourth LPL title for a Jaffna franchise, solidifying their dominance in the tournament.The chase was spearheaded by a record-breaking partnership between Rilee Rossouw and Kusal Mendis. Rossouw, known for his explosive batting, bludgeoned 106 off 53 balls, while Mendis contributed a blistering 72 off 40. Their unbroken stand of 185 was the highest for any wicket in LPL history.Rossouw's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting. He targeted the spin bowlers, smashing sixes and fours with ease. Mendis, on the other hand, displayed his versatility, finding boundaries all around the wicket.The Marvels' bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, despite an early breakthrough by Jason Behrendorff. However, Bhanuka Rajapaksa's outstanding 82 off 34 kept them in the game. Rajapaksa showcased his full range of shots, including elegant cuts and powerful drives.Despite Rajapaksa's heroics, the Marvels' total proved insufficient against the relentless batting of Rossouw and Mendis. Rossouw reached his century with a thunderous six, while Mendis remained unbeaten on 72.The victory was a testament to the Kings' dominance throughout the tournament. They had topped the league table and defeated Colombo Stars in the semi-final. The Marvels, on the other hand, had fought their way to the final after finishing third in the league stage.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024. The tournament will be held from July 1 to 21, featuring five franchises competing across three iconic venues in Colombo, Dambulla, and Kandy.Clarke, a legendary cricketer with an illustrious international career, expressed his excitement about returning to Sri Lanka for the LPL. "It's an honor to be in Sri Lanka for the LPL," he said. "I have very fond memories here, as one of my first Australian tours was an Under-19 World Cup in this country."The 43-year-old Clarke believes that the LPL will play a crucial role in developing Sri Lankan cricket. "This tournament is very important as it will help grow Sri Lankan cricket as well," he said. "I'm excited to see some young faces who can be the face of Sri Lankan cricket in the coming time."Clarke joins a prestigious list of LPL brand ambassadors, including cricket icons Vivian Richards, Wasim Akram, and Sanath Jayasuriya. His appointment is expected to further enhance the tournament's profile and attract global attention.The LPL 2024 will feature a total of 24 matches, with each franchise playing each other twice in the league stage. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final on July 21.The tournament is expected to showcase some of the best cricketing talent from Sri Lanka and around the world. It will provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL), a highly anticipated T20 cricket tournament, is set to return for its fifth edition on July 1, 2024. The three-week extravaganza will feature a stellar lineup of international and Sri Lankan stars, promising pulsating action at three iconic venues.Among the international marquee names gracing the LPL are Kiwi all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman, Bangladesh pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, Pakistan stars Shadab Khan and Agha Salman, West Indies veterans Andre Fletcher and Fabian Allen, Afghanistan spinners Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, and Noor Ahmad, and South African duo Rilee Rossouw and Reeza Hendricks.Sri Lanka's cricket prowess will be showcased by the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kusal Mendis, along with a host of other national team heavyweights."The Lanka Premier League continues to highlight the exceptional talent of our cricket players, providing fans with yet another opportunity to see their favorite stars in action," said Samantha Dodewala, tournament director.The league stage will run from July 1 to 16, with the five teams - Colombo Strikers, Dambulla Sixers, Galle Marvels, Jaffna Kings, and Kandy - facing off twice during this period at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla, and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Kandy.The playoffs will commence on July 18 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, culminating in the grand finale on July 21.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) has announced a new ownership group for its Dambulla franchise, Sequoia Consultants, an engineering consulting firm based in Los Angeles. This development comes after the previous ownership, Dambulla Viiking, was terminated due to the arrest of co-owner Tamim Rahman under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act.The new franchise will be operated by DeSilva Holdings, a local company established specifically for this purpose. Priyanga de Silva, the owner of DeSilva Holdings, is a majority shareholder of Sequoia and a former domestic cricketer in Sri Lanka. Under DeSilva Holdings, the franchise will be known as Dambulla Sixers, marking the fourth name change since its inception in 2020."My passion for cricket, particularly in Sri Lanka, motivated me to acquire the Dambulla Sixers team," said de Silva. "The LPL has witnessed significant growth over the past four years, which is remarkable for a nation of our size. I am thrilled to contribute to this growth and support the development of cricket in our country."The new ownership assumes control with just over three weeks remaining before the tournament's scheduled commencement on July 1. Matches will be held in Pallekele, Dambulla, and Colombo.The Dambulla franchise has undergone several ownership changes since its inception. It was initially known as Dambulla Viiking before being renamed Dambulla Giants and then Dambulla Aura. The franchise has yet to win the LPL title.The LPL is a Twenty20 cricket league established in 2020. It features five franchises representing different regions of Sri Lanka. The tournament has attracted international players such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Rashid Khan.

Matheesha Pathirana Becomes Most Expensive Player in Lanka Premier League HistoryNEW DELHI: Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana has etched his name in the history books of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) by becoming the most expensive player in the tournament's history. The 21-year-old was snapped up by the Colombo Strikers for a staggering $120,000, surpassing the previous record of $92,000 set by Dilshan Madushanka in the previous edition.Pathirana's unique slinging delivery style has captivated cricket enthusiasts, and his acquisition by the Strikers is a testament to his rising star. The young pacer has impressed with his pace and accuracy, and he is expected to play a key role in the Strikers' title aspirations.The second most expensive player on Tuesday was all-rounder Isuru Udana, who was acquired by the Galle Marvels for $100,000. Another all-rounder, Dasun Shanaka, was the third most expensive player, going to the Dambulla Thunders for $85,000.The most expensive foreign player was Afghanistan's right-arm medium pacer Karim Janat, who was signed by the Dambulla Thunders for $80,000. His compatriot, left-hand batsman Hazratullah Zazai, was also acquired by the Thunders for $50,000.South Africa's Rilee Rossouw, another left-hand batsman, was picked up by the Jaffna Kings for $60,000.The five-team LPL tournament will commence on July 1 and conclude on July 21. With a star-studded lineup featuring some of the world's best cricketers, the tournament promises to deliver thrilling and competitive action.