Vijayakanth Viyaskanth who idolizes India’s R Ashwin bowls Jaffna Kings to exciting win in skyfair.news Lanka Premier League 2023 opening match

By K.R. Nayar

The first match of the skyfair.news Lanka Premier League 2023 took place on Sunday night at the Colombo R. Premadasa Stadium, featuring two half-centuries – one leading his team to success, and another that went in vain, along with a fine spell of leg spin. Jaffna Kings emerged victorious with a 21-run win over Colombo Strikers. Notably, the top performers for the winners were all below the age of 23.

The half-century maker for Jaffna Kings was 22-year-old Towhid Hridoy, who impressed with 54 runs off 39 balls, including four boundaries and a six. Jaffna Kings set a target of 173 for 5 in 20 overs and successfully restricted Colombo Strikers to 152 in 19.4 overs. This was achieved largely due to 21-year-old leg spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, who picked up two crucial wickets for just 17 runs from his four overs, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth with his idol R Ashwin 

Viyaskanth's admiration for India’s Ravichandran Ashwin was evident when he said, “I am really happy about my progress. We (with Ashwin) are talking on Instagram also. He wished me good luck. It was a great opportunity to play. I didn't have a plan; I just bowled wicket to wicket.”

Niroshan Dickwell... half century in vain 

On the other side, despite Colombo Strikers skipper Niroshan Dickwella's brilliant 58 runs off 34 balls, supported by nine boundaries and one six, he couldn't find enough support from the rest of his team, resulting in his efforts going in vain.

The match began with Colombo Strikers winning the toss and electing to field. Jaffna Kings lost their hard-hitting opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz early in the third over to Naseem Shah for 21, with the score at 27. Just as Nishan Madushka and Charith Asalanka were building a partnership, Nishan got run out for 12. Asalanka fell for 12 at the score of 66 to Lakshan Sandakan.

Towhid Hridoy ... timely half century 

However, Priyamal Perera and Towhid Hridoy steered the score past the 100-run mark. At the score of 107, Priyamal Perera got caught behind by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Matheesha Pathirana for 22. Dunith Wellalage contributed a timely unbeaten 25. Towhid Hridoy's dismissal for 54 by Chamika Karunaratne was followed by skipper Thisara Perera's unbeaten 14, leading to a challenging total of 173 for 5 in 20 overs.

In pursuit of the target, all eyes were on Babar Azam, the Colombo Strikers' opening batsman and a hero for Pakistan in many matches. However, Azam got bowled by Perera for 7. One-drop Pathum Nissanka also failed to settle down and got caught behind off Hardus Viljoen for 1. Viyaskanth claimed his first victim, Nuwanidu Fernando, for 17. Soon after, Niroshan Dickwella, who scored 58 runs, fell to Dilshan Madushanka. When Mohammad Nawaz also got out for three, becoming another victim of Viljoen, half of the Colombo side returned to the dug-out with only 87 runs on the board.

Despite contributions from Chamika Karunaratne (23 runs) and Ramesh Mendis (17 runs), Colombo Strikers could only muster a total of 152 in 19.4 overs. Viyaskanth also picked the wicket of Naseem Shah for a duck to speed up the victory.

Looking ahead, Jaffna Kings skipper Thisara Perara expressed confidence in his team's strength for the next match, stating, “We really had a good start. I am very confident with my players. We will have more players coming in, including David Miller. They should be available for the next match.”