Jaffna Kings are on six points in LPL 2023 [Source: Twitter]
Match 15 of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 will feature defending champions Jaffna Kings taking on B-Love Kandy at the R Premedasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Kandy prevailed over Jaffna when both these teams last met on August 5 in Pallekele.
Team Preview
Jaffna Kings
After a promising start, the Kings lost two consecutive matches and then hammered Colombo Strikers by six wickets in the last match to gain some much-needed confidence. Kings will miss their star batter Towhid Hridoy, who returned back home after six matches. Hard-hitting opener Chris Lynn could potentially replace Hridoy at the top, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz already firing all cylinders.
The bowling still remains a concern with Maheesh Theekshana leaking runs heavily, with not much support for Dunith Wellalage.
B-Love Kandy
The most improved side lately has been B-Love Kandy, notching up three successive wins after two initial losses. The Wanindu Hasaranga-led side sees almost all their key players perform like Fakhar Zaman, Dinesh Chandimal, Numwan Pradeep, and Isuru Udana.
The inclusion of Zaman has provided stability to the batting, which is being led by Hasaranga, who is Kandy's leading run-getter (134) so far. A win will help the franchise to cement their position up top.
JK vs BLK: Match Details & Live Streaming
Date & Time | August 12th, 3:00 PM IST |
Venue | R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
Live Broadcast and Streaming | Star Sports Network and FanCode |
JK vs BLK: Pitch Report
The track at R Premadasa in Colombo is expected to slow down as the match progresses even with overcast conditions. The spinners will come into play during the second half, which will see the team that wins the toss bat first.
JK vs BLK: Probable Playing XIs
Jaffna Kings: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Charith Asalanka, Chris Lynn, David Miller, Shoaib Malik, Nishan Madushka, Thisara Perera (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara
B-Kandy Love: Fakhar Zaman, Dinesh Chandimal, Mohammad Haris (wk), Angelo Mathews, Asif Ali, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Nuwan Pradeep
JK vs BLK: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper | Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Haris |
Batter | Fakhar Zaman, Dinesh Chandimal |
All-Rounders | Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Shoaib Malik, Isuru Udana |
Bowlers | Nuwan Pradeep, Dunith Wellalage |
Captain | Wanindu Hasaranga |
Vice-Captain | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
JK vs BLK: Prediction
B-Love Kandy holds a slight edge over Jaffna Kings, coming into the encounter with after win the last-time these two sides met.