Hit by match fixing allegations reigning champs Jaffna succumb to heavy defeat

Saturday, 18 July 2026 06:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Charith Asalanka celebrates his half-century for Galle Gallants

Dasun Shanaka of Galle Gallants smashed an unbeaten 31 off 9 balls

Eshan Mainga rocked Jaffna Kings with three wickets in his first two overs

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Jaffna Kings hit by allegations of match fixing by one their co-owners began the defence of their Lanka Premier League title with a heavy defeat at the hands of Galle Gallants who romped home by 36 runs in the opening fixture played under lights at the SSC grounds yesterday.

The match was a repeat of the 2024 final when Jaffna emerged winners by nine wickets. But yesterday it was all Galle as they first batted with devastating effect to post an imposing total of 213-6 and then bowled Jaffna out for 177.

Jaffna took up the challenge of chasing down Galle’s big total, when their openers Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara gave them a flying start posting 63 off the first five overs.

But enter Eshan Malinga, following his exploits in the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad and the game simply took a nosedive. His double strike in the final over of the first power play to get rid of Avishka Fernando (34 off 21 balls and Ibrahim Zadran pushed Jaffna onto the back foot.

Jaffna soon found themselves with half the side out for 84 by the tenth over and Malinga picking up 3 for 5 in 2 overs. Dunith Wellalage tried to take the fight to the bowlers making a plucky 40 off 24 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (24 off 10 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes), but the odds were too great as Jaffna had lost too many wickets upfront to mount any kind of late challenge.

Jaffna bowlers took a bashing from the Galle Gallant batters to which none had an answer except for Wellalage who strangely did not bowl his quota despite giving away only 11 runs in his three overs.

Sam Harper’s rapid cameo (40 off 19 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) gave Galle the momentum they needed to launch their innings. Charith Asalanka (65 off 38 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes) and Sahan Arachchige (35 off 24 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) carried on the momentum through the middle overs with Dasun Shanaka (31* off 9 balls, 2 fours, 3 sixes) and Mohammad Nawaz (21 off 9 balls, 3 sixes) putting the finishing touches to the innings in destructive fashion plundering 43 off the final two overs.

Charith Asalanka was Player of the Match.

Scores:

Galle Gallants 213-6 (20) (Sam Harper 40, Charith Asalanka 65, Sahan Arachchige 35, Dasun Shanaka 31*, Mohammad Nawaz 21, Lizaad Williams 2/28, Piyush Chawla 2/43)

Jaffna Kings 177 (19.4) (Avishka Fernando 34, Kamil Mishara 28, Dunith Wellalage 40, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 24, Akif Javed 2/31, Eshan Malinga 4/26)

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