By Srian Obeyesekere

In a shot for shot humdinger record chase, opener Dinesh Chandimal won the day for Kandy Falcons over high riding Jaffna Kings from a hitherto blank sheet in a highest run chase 230 for 3 by a whirlwind Player of the Match 89 off 37 balls powered by 7 over the top and 8 boundaries to in the process upstaging Pathum Nissanka’s extraordinary highest in the Lanka Premier League record century of 119 yesterday at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Chandimal’s combining effort with Kamindu Mendis who was unbeaten on an equally cameo 65 off 36 balls in a continuing over the siesta hoisting 4 and 5 to the ropes electrified the contest in a high drama 230 score for 3 wickets as Kandy Falcons chased down Jaffna Kings 224 for 7 wickets off 20 overs to winning with 10 balls to spare.

Mendis and veteran Angelo Mathews 29 off 13 (2×4, 2×6) stood to the end in that final flourish. Mohammed Haris made 25 off 18 with 5 boundaries.

Indeed, the early session belonged to Jaffna Kings’ Pathum Nissanka rampaging in a 59-ball maiden three figure record anointment heightened by 16 boundaries and 4 over the top in posting 112 for the first-wicket in 10.3 overs with Kusal Mendis 26 off 23. After the Kings were put into bat. He reached his century off 52 balls enriched by 13 boundaries and 3 sixes and going on to the magical feat  in over the top gung-ho in posting a further 50 for the second-wicket with Rilee Rossouw 41 off 18.

Dasun Shanaka claimed 3 for 40 and Dushmantha Chameera 2 for 44 with Falcons skipper Wanindu Hasaranga having a wicketless off day.

CHIEF SCORES:

Jaffna Kings 224/7 (20 Overs)

(Pathum Nissanka 119, Rilee Rossouw 41, Kusal Mendis 26, Avishka Fernando 16, Fabian Allen 10, Dasun Shanaka 3/40, Dushmantha Chameera 2/44, Ramesh Mendis 2/28

Kandy Falcons 230/3 (18.2 Overs)

(Dinesh Chandimal 89, Kamindu Mendis n.o. 65, Mohammed Haris 25, Angelo Mathews n.o. 29, Tabriz Shamsi 2/46, Promod Madushan 1/33)