Lanka Premier League 2021: Qualifier 2, Dambulla Giants vs Jaffna Kings, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Dambulla Giants are gearing up to cross swords with Jaffna Kings in the Qualifier 2 fixture of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021. The encounter takes place at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on Tuesday (December 21). With a place in the final at stakes, both sides must leave no stones unturned to emerge victorious in the forthcoming fixture.

Notably, the Giants find themselves in this knock-out game as they thrashed Colombo Stars by six wickets in the Eliminator encounter. On the other hand, Jaffna Kings suffered a humiliating 64-run defeat against Galle Gladiators in Qualifier 1. However, they will get a second chance on the virtue of finishing in the top two. It must be noted that the Kings defeated Giants twice in the league stage.

Match Details

Match – Dambulla Giants vs Jaffna Kings – Qualifier 2

Venue – Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

Date and Time – 19 December, 07:30 PM IST

Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

As only two games have been played at this venue this season, the track is pretty fresh and one can expect the runs to galore. Spinners are also expected to get some assistance initially in the contest.

Average score: 167 (in LPL 2021 far)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 1, Lost – 1, N/R – 0

Probable Playing XIs

Dambulla Giants

Niroshan Dickwella (c & wk), Philip Salt, Janith Liyanage, Sandun Weerakkody, Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayathilake, Joshua Little, Imran Tahir, Nuwan Pradeep

Jaffna Kings

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Avishka Fernando, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera (c), Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chaturanga de Silva, Wahab Riaz, Suranga Lakmal, Maheesh Theekshana

Head-to-Head

Played – 2 | Dambulla Giants – 0 | Jaffna Kings– 2 | N/R – 0

Probable best batter of the match

Philip Salt – Dambulla Giants

Philip Salt has been one of the best batter in the competition and his numbers are impressive as well. He’s, in fact, the second-highest run-scorer of LPL 2021, having notched 279 runs from eight games at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 151.63. He has scored two half-centuries with a top score of an unbeaten 64. If he clicks again, Jaffna Kings might endure a tough time.

Probable best bowler of the match

Maheesh Theekshana – Jaffna Kings

The mystery off-spinner has been instrumental to Jaffna Kings’ success in the competition. He has taken wickets at regular intervals and that too without conceding too many runs. Coming to his numbers, Maheesh Theekshana has scalped 13 wickets in eight games at an economy rate of 6.26.

Today’s match prediction: Jaffna Kings to win the game.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.