Fri Oct 04 19:12:00 UTC 2024: ## Colombo and Jaffna to Battle for National Super League Title in Thrilling Final

**Dambulla, Sri Lanka -** The National Super League Limited Over title will be decided on Sunday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, as the Colombo and Jaffna teams clash in an exciting day/night final. The match is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.

Both teams have a win each against each other, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. Colombo, led by Sri Lanka white-ball skipper Charith Asalanka, boasts a star-studded lineup, featuring former white-ball captains Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Perera, along with national cricketers Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Pramod Madushan, Shevon Daniel, and Nishan Peiris.

Asalanka leads the tournament in runs with 298 (avg. 59.60), including two centuries. Colombo finished top of the league standings with seven wins from eight matches. Their bowling attack is led by left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera, who shares the top wicket-taking spot with Galle’s Muditha Lakshan, both having taken 17 wickets. Seamer Madushan (12 wickets) and leg-spinner Kavindu Nadeeshan (10) also feature in the top eight of the bowling list.

Jaffna, on the other hand, secured their final berth with a narrow victory over Galle, securing four wins from eight matches. Their main run scorer is Mohammed Shamaaz, a former Zahira College cricketer with a century and a fifty to his name in the tournament, accumulating 251 runs (avg. 50.20). The team also boasts several national cricketers, including skipper Janith Liyanage, Lahiru Madushanka, Binura Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and Jeffrey Vandersay.

Jaffna’s main wicket-taker is fast bowler Isitha Wijesundara, who has taken 11 wickets (avg. 14.00). Spinners Kalhara Senarathne, Viyaskanth, and Vandersay, along with seamers Madushanka, Nipun Malinga, and Eshan Malinga, form the core of their bowling attack.

In their first meeting, Jaffna emerged victorious, defeating Colombo by five wickets. The return game saw Colombo triumph by the same margin in a low-scoring affair.

The final offers a crucial opportunity for national cricketers like Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Binura Fernando, and Jeffrey Vandersay to showcase their skills ahead of the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies next week.

Read More