B-Love Kandy vs Jaffna Kings Prediction: Defending champions have won only one game

B-Love Kandy and Jaffna Kings are going head to head in the Match 11 of Lanka Premier League 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka on 09 July, 2024. Defending champions have won only one game this season. Who will win this game of cricket?

The Kandy Falcons have struggled during the opening stages of the 2024 Lanka Premier League. With only one victory from their first four matches, they currently sit in fifth place, earning just two points. In their recent match in Dambulla, the Falcons suffered a six-wicket defeat to the Galle Marvels, despite setting a score of 175-7; their opponents surpassed this total in just 17.1 overs.

Andre Fletcher is leading Kandy's batting efforts, accumulating 121 runs across four innings with a strike rate of 142. He is closely followed by the seasoned Angelo Mathews, who also boasts 121 runs from the same number of innings but with a higher strike rate of 148. Dinesh Chandimal has also contributed significantly, scoring 116 runs in four innings, demonstrating his ability to provide quick starts.

On the bowling front, Kandy has seen commendable performances from Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga, who have each claimed 5 wickets in the tournament, maintaining a respectable economy rate. Additionally, Shoriful Islam has proven to be an effective bowler, securing 4 wickets over two innings with an economy rate of 9.37.

Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Andre Fletcher, Mohammad Haris, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Lakshan Sandakan, Pawan Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Shoriful Islam

The Jaffna Kings have climbed to the top of the leaderboard after securing three victories in their first four matches. Their recent triumph was a convincing 30-run win over the Dambulla Sixers in Dambulla, where they posted a formidable 218-5 before restricting the Sixers to 188-8. Pathum Nissanka stood out in the last match, scoring an impressive 88 runs from just 53 balls, bringing his total for the season to 178 runs in four innings with a strike rate of 154. Avishka Fernando has been the most reliable batsman for the team this season, amassing 210 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 170.

On the bowling front, the Kings have a wealth of options, with several players contributing to taking wickets. Asitha Fernando, with four wickets at an economy rate of 9.12, and Tabraiz Shamsi, who claimed two wickets in just one innings with an economy of 6.50, are expected to perform well in upcoming matches. Azmatullah Omarzai, who has already picked up three wickets, is also anticipated to make a significant impact in the next game.

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Ahan Wickramasinghe, Azmatullah Omarzai, Fabian Allen, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Tabraiz Shamsi

The Jaffna Kings have secured victories in three of their recent five matchups against the Kandy Falcons and carry notable winning momentum into this clash, potentially giving them the upper hand. However, Kandy, as the current champions, should not be underestimated. Despite facing challenges this season, they are expected to deliver a strong performance. Presently, their bowling weaknesses need attention, especially when facing a robust team like Jaffna. Nonetheless, we believe that the Kandy Falcons are on the brink of a turnaround, possibly starting with this very game. Contrary to the apparent momentum, we are predicting a win for the Kandy Falcons in this encounter. Support the Kandy Falcons to clinch this game.