Jaffna on the verge of entering NSL 4-day final

Monday, 4 April 2022 00:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kandy well placed against Galle

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

It will only be a matter of time today at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota before Jaffna performs the final rites against Colombo that will see them enter the final of the National Super League four-day tournament.

Jaffna were left to wait for an additional day following the government imposing an island wide curfew on Sunday, to score the remaining 67 runs to complete a win after they were left with a target of 92 to chase when Colombo’s strong batting line-up that included national caps Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis were dismissed for 158 in their second innings.

Jaffna openers Navod Paranavithana and Nishan Madushka knocked off 25 of the required runs and will continue from where they left off when play resumes today. Even if the match cannot be completed due to unavoidable circumstances, Jaffna will still qualify because they have gained a first innings lead. Meanwhile, rain at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has forced the other semi-final between Kandy and Galle into a contest for a first innings lead. Galle were still into their first innings ending a rain-interrupted third day at 147-1 in reply to Kandy’s first innings of 458.

Galle trail Kandy by 311 runs and face a challenging task of overhauling the total even though they have nine wickets in hand and more than 90 overs to do it provided that there are no interruptions due to bad light or rain, which has been the bane of this semi-final so far.

In the case of Galle holding out to a draw, the final standings in the league round will come into play to decide on which team goes through to the final. If that happens Kandy are well placed as they finished second with 42.24 points to Galle who were third with 36.54 points.

Third day scores

At Pallekele: Kandy 458; Galle 147-1 at close (Sangeeth Cooray 44, Pabasara Waduge 68*, Hashan Dumindu 24*)

At Hambantota: Colombo 272 and 158; Jaffna 339 and 25 for no loss at close