Jaffna Kings defeated Dambulla Giants by 23 runs to book their place in the final of Lanka Premier League 2021/22. They posted 210/4 before restricting the Giants to 187/9.
Avishka Fernando and Rahmanullah Gurbaz got the Kings off to a great start, adding 122 for the opening wicket. Gurbaz scored 70 off 40 deliveries before getting out to Chamika Karunaratne, while Fernando completed his century in 64 balls.
Set 211, the Giants crumbled under pressure as they lost three wickets inside the first five overs. Phil Salt (22) was looking dangerous before being undone by Suranga Lakmal. Najibullah Zadran's dismissal reduced them to 85/6.
Karunaratne revived the chase with an unbeaten 75. He struck 10 fours and two sixes, but the Giants still fell 23 short of the target. Jayden Seales (3-24) was the pick of the bowlers.
Brief scores: Jaffna Kings 210/4 in 20 overs (Fernando 100; Samarakoon 2-30) beat Dambulla Giants 187/9 in 22 overs (Karunaratne 75; Seales 3-24) by 23 runs. Player of the Match: Avishka Fernando.