Galle Gallants ended Jaffna Kings’ reign as the Lanka Premier League champion by defeating the three-time winner by five wickets in the final on Saturday.
Chasing just 124 to win a their maiden title, Gallants got over the line 16th over courtesy of contributions from Thomas Fraser Rogers (34 off 27 balls) and Dinura Kalupahana (31 off 19 balls).
In the first innings, three wickets each for Charith Asalanka and Eshan Malinga restricted the Kings to just 123. Only four batters could post double-digit scores with opener Kamil Mishara top-scoring with 41. Tharindu Ratnayke also chipped in for Galle with two for 14.
Gallants’ chase was marred by two early wickets but Rogers and Kalupahana got the team back with a 64-run partnership. They suffered another brief collapse and were reduced to 75 for four until the middle order prevented them the blushes.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka finished it off with a sprightly 20 off nine balls. Traveen Mathew and Shakib Al Hasan picked two wickets each but could not avert Gallants’ march.
Published on Aug 08, 2026
