On Monday, 7th August 2023, the 11th match of LPL T20 will take place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, featuring Dambulla Aura against Jaffna Kings.

After facing a loss against Dambulla Aura, Colombo Strikers swiftly regrouped and clinched victory in their recent encounter against Galle Titans by a comfortable seven-wicket margin. Despite losing the toss and being directed to field first, their bowlers faced challenges, conceding 188 runs over 20 overs.

Among their bowling unit, Lakshan Sandakan stood out as the most successful bowler, securing one wicket in a four-over spell, yielding 29 runs. Ramesh Mendis also delivered a commendable performance, claiming one wicket in four overs while conceding 33 runs. Naseem Shah managed to clinch a wicket, albeit while conceding a significant number of runs, with 36 runs amassed in his four-over quota.

Mohammad Nawaz, Matheesha Pathirana, and Chamika Karunaratne, however, couldn’t manage to secure any wickets. Colombo Strikers’ previous triumph was primarily attributed to their batting prowess. In pursuit of a target of 189 runs, they clinched victory with seven wickets to spare, and a solitary ball remaining.

Babar Azam emerged as the standout performer and highest run-scorer, etching his name as the first centurion of the current edition of the Lanka Premier League. He amassed an impressive 105 runs from 59 deliveries, smashing eight boundaries and five massive sixes. Pathum Nissanka also contributed significantly, accumulating 54 runs from 40 balls, including five boundaries and a substantial six. Notably, Babar Azam and Pathum Nissanka’s opening partnership set a record with a remarkable 111-run stand.

Jaffna Kings have experienced consecutive losses in their recent outings. They faced defeat against B-Love Kandy and were also bested by Dambulla Aura in their latest match, with a margin of nine runs. Opting to field first after winning the toss, their bowling performance in that match was notably impressive, containing their opponents to a total of 134 runs over 20 overs.

Shoaib Malik shone as the standout bowler, securing two wickets in a four-over spell while conceding a mere 13 runs. Similarly, Nuwan Thushara contributed with two wickets in his four-over stint, although he conceded 26 runs. Maheesh Theekshana chipped in with a wicket in his four overs, allowing 26 runs. Dunith Wellalage also managed to claim two wickets within three overs, giving away 28 runs. However, Dilshan Madushanka and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth couldn’t find their way to any wickets.

In their previous match, Jaffna Kings faced defeat primarily due to their batting unit’s underperformance. Failing to chase down the target of 135 runs, they could only muster 125 runs over 20 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Charith Asalanka, the opening pair for Jaffna Kings, struggled to establish a strong start in the tournament. Notably, three key batsmen fell with a combined total of just 10 runs. Shoaib Malik emerged as the top run-scorer, amassing 74 runs from 53 balls, including five boundaries and six impressive sixes.

Jaffna Kings exhibit a clear strength on paper, surpassing the Colombo Strikers in overall potential. According to match predictions, Jaffna Kings are favored to clinch victory in this upcoming match. Multiple factors contribute to Jaffna Kings’ status as the preferred team:

1. Shoaib Malik’s Form: Shoaib Malik’s current good form for Jaffna Kings bodes well for their prospects in this match, and his anticipated strong performance adds to their advantage.

2. Effective Bowling Unit: Jaffna Kings’ bowling lineup has displayed commendable prowess throughout this tournament, further strengthening their position.

3. Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam’s Form: Colombo Strikers benefit from the impressive form of Pathum Nissanka and Babar Azam, enhancing their batting strength.

4. Colombo Strikers’ Exceptional Performance: Colombo Strikers have showcased remarkable performance in the ongoing tournament, bolstering their credentials.

5. Strong Bowling by Colombo Strikers: The bowling contingent of Colombo Strikers has consistently delivered well throughout the tournament, contributing to their competitive edge.

Considering these factors, Jaffna Kings step into the match as the preferred side, with multiple elements working in their favor.

Jaffna Kings boast a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talents well-versed in the T20 format. Their batting lineup stands out for its robustness, featuring renowned power hitters from the T20 realm. This configuration raises the likelihood of Jaffna Kings’ success in the present match. The forecast regarding the outcome of today’s cricket match leans as follows:

Jaffna Kings hold a 52% probability of emerging victorious in this encounter.
Colombo Strikers, on the other hand, carry a 48% chance of securing the win.

The coin toss will hold significant influence over the outcomes of all LPL T20 matches, as evidenced by previous games. As per toss predictions, the team winning the toss is likely to opt for batting first, considering the recent challenges encountered in chasing during the LPL matches.

The 13th encounter of the Lanka Premier League is scheduled to take place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. The pitch at this venue offers a balanced platform for both batting and bowling prowess. Historical observations from previous matches here highlight its suitability for batting. The pitch exhibits a comparatively slower nature compared to others, thereby favoring spin bowlers to a notable extent. Anticipations lean towards the surface progressively slowing down, posing heightened challenges for batting in the upcoming match. Attaining a score of 170 is projected to present a formidable task for chasing teams.

The weather outlook for Pallekele doesn’t appear favorable for the upcoming cricket match. Although there are indications of potential rain in the area, there remains optimism that the match will proceed without interruptions, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the game.

Captain: Babar Azam
Vice-Captain: Shoaib Malik
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Niroshan Dickwella, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohammad Nawaz, Maheesh Theekshana, Naseem Shah, Matheesha Pathirana

• Date: Tuesday, 8th August 2023
• Time: 02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM LOCAL / 07:00 PM IST

• Stadium: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
• Location: Pallekele, Sri Lanka
• Capacity: 35000
• Dimensions: 80m long, 75m wide
• Ends: Hunnasgiriya End, Rikillagaskada End
• Time Zone: UTC +05:30
• Home to: Kandurata
• Floodlights: Yes
• Curator: Asitha Wijesinghe

• Total matches: 23
• Matches won batting first: 12
• Matches won bowling first: 8
• Average 1st Inns scores: 168
• Average 2nd Inns scores: 149
• Highest total recorded: 263/3 (20 Ov) by AUS vs SL
• Lowest total recorded: 88/10 (16 Ov) by NZ vs SL
• Highest score chased: 178/2 (18.4 Ov) by PAK vs BAN
• Lowest score defended: 125/8 (20 Ov) by SL vs NZ

Niroshan Dickwella(W/C), Lahiru Udara, Ramesh Mendis, Naseem Shah, Lakshan Sandakan, Matheesha Pathirana, Pathum Nissanka, Babar Azam, Nuwanidu Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohammad Nawaz, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nipun Dhananjaya, Angelo Perera, Yashodha Lanka, Lorcan Tucker, Kavishka Anjula, Shashika Dulshan, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Movin Subasingha, Eshan Malinga.