Jaffna qualify as fourth team in NSL 4-day semi-finals

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Jaffna came up with a fine batting all-round performance to grab first innings points from Dambulla in their drawn National Super League four-day game and ensured they become the fourth team to qualify for the semi-finals.

Jaffna went past Dambulla’s first innings total of 283 with only half their side out and eventually totaled 379 – a lead of 96 on the first innings. National pacie Vishwa Fernando and left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara were the stand out bowlers for Dambulla each with four wickets.

Dambulla closed their second innings at 256-9 leaving Jaffna with the task of chasing an improbable 161 off 30 overs. They replied with 61-2 in 18.  

Colombo with their two-day win over Galle on Friday topped the league standings with 56.51 points followed by Kandy (42.24), Galle (36.54) and Jaffna (32.54) and Dambulla (18.77). The top four teams in the league standings qualified for the semi-finals. 

Result  - At Dambulla 

• Dambulla 283 and 256-9 decl. (Nimesha Gunasingha 35, Leo Fransisco 46, Lasith Abeyratne 26, Minod Bhanuka 48, Ashan Priyanjan 62, Dilum Sudeera 2/87, Dhananjaya de Silva 3/44, Jeffrey Vandersay 2/63, Janith Liyanage 2/26)  
• Jaffna 379 (o/n 354-7) (Nishan Madushka 69, Navod Paranavithana 26, Saminda Fernando 52, Dhananjaya de Silva 25, Geeth Kumara 26, Janith Liyanage 69, Avishka Tharindu 40, Dilum Sudeera 32, Vishwa Fernando 4/66, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/131) and 61-2 (Nishan Madushka 32*, Dhanajaya de Silva 23*, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/20)