Jaffna Kings outclass Kandy Royals by 21 runs in LPL 2026

Shakib Al Hasan delivered an outstanding all-round performance to guide Jaffna Kings to a 21-run victory over Kandy Royals in the 18th match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Defending a formidable target of 222, Jaffna Kings dismissed Kandy Royals for 200 on the final delivery of the innings to secure an important win.

The Royals made a flying start to their chase, with openers Pawan Sandesh and Lahiru Igalagamage putting immediate pressure on the bowling attack. The pair raced to a 40-run partnership within the first three overs, setting the tone for an aggressive pursuit of the target.

Sandesh played an entertaining knock of 48, while Igalagamage contributed 15 before the opening stand was broken. Kandy Royals maintained a healthy scoring rate during the first half of the innings, keeping themselves in contention.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically once the spin duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Dunith Wellalage came into the attack. The experienced bowlers tightened the scoring and struck at crucial intervals, reducing the Royals to 112-4 and putting Jaffna firmly back in control.

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga attempted to revive the chase with a quickfire 24 off just 12 deliveries, smashing three sixes in an attacking cameo. His aggressive innings briefly raised hopes of a late comeback, but Shakib dismissed the Royals skipper in the 18th over, effectively ending the contest.

Shakib and Wellalage claimed three wickets each to lead the bowling effort, while Dilshan Madushanka and Zahoor Khan chipped in with two wickets apiece to complete the victory.

Earlier, Jaffna Kings produced an explosive batting display after being asked to bat first, finishing with an imposing total of 221-6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Openers Kamil Mishara and Avishka Fernando laid the perfect platform with a blistering 95-run partnership inside the opening seven overs. Mishara narrowly missed out on a half-century, scoring 49 with the help of five sixes and two boundaries. Fernando added 36 from 22 balls, striking three fours and a six before leaving the field as a substitute.

Although the Royals managed to regain some control through a series of quick wickets, reducing Jaffna to 139-5 in the 15th over, the innings received a powerful finish from Shakib Al Hasan and Chamindu Wickramasinghe.

The pair added 59 runs in just 23 deliveries, lifting the Kings beyond the 220-run mark. Wickramasinghe played a breathtaking innings of 43 from only 15 balls, hammering four sixes and three boundaries. Shakib remained composed at the other end, contributing 22 runs from 16 deliveries, including one six and one four.

For Kandy Royals, Moeen Ali and Wanindu Hasaranga were the standout bowlers, taking two wickets each. Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, however, endured a difficult outing, finishing wicketless after conceding 43 runs in his three overs.

The comprehensive victory strengthened Jaffna Kings’ campaign, with Shakib Al Hasan making a decisive impact with both bat and ball in a memorable all-round performance.