Stars vs Kings, Final at Colombo, LPL, Dec 23 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And on that note, it's a wrap for yet another season of the Lanka Premier League. Jaffna have once again proven that they are the benchmark for the chasing pack, as the action moved from Hambantota to Kandy to finally Colombo. And no doubt, they will once again be up there come next season. Thanks also to all that kept us company in the comments, stay tuned for the match report which should be up shortly. But for now on behalf of Fidel, Shashwat and the rest of the team, this is Madushka signing off!

Jaffna Kings skipper Thisara Perera: "I have no words, I'm really happy. We're not a team, we're a family. Luckily we won the toss and could chase. I have to thank my team owner, he gave me a super power to select this team. I have to thank my support staff, because we have built a family."

Colombo Stars skipper Angelo Mathews: "Congratulations to Jaffna, they outplayed us. It was a very good game. I'm very proud of the boys, they turned up in the last three games and they really went for it. 164 was a very good score on this wicket, it was stopping and turning. We obviously missed Seekkuge because the ball turning away was not easy for the batters. But Sadeera and Avishka batted really well in the middle overs, credit to them. [thoughts on LPL] The younger Sri Lankan boys got a lot of exposure playing with the international players and they also helped us. They benefitted so much out of this tournament. And a final word for all the fans, it's fantastic to play in front of all you guys. Thanks for turning up."

Player of the Tournament goes to Sadeera Samarawickrama for his 294 runs and 10 dismissals as keeper: "I'm really happy that we won. I've been working really hard and it has paid off. Before this season I only played two games in the LPL, and I have to thank Gurbaz for giving me the gloves. Whenever I'm given the chance I would like to give my best for my country."

Avishka also gets an award for most runs in the tournament, while Carlos Brathwaite gets an award for the most wickets in the tournament.

Innovative player of the Tournament goes to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, as does the Big Hitter award for most sixes.

Emerging Player of the Tournament goes to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

Player of the Match goes to Avishka Fernando: "I'm really happy to play an innings like this, it wasn't the normal sort of innings I play. I just focused on staying at one end because Gurbaz and Sadeera were getting runs at the other end. I'm very happy with my performances returning after injury."

Well lets all take a breath then, presentation should be ready in a bit.

Nis: "Viyaskanth was destined to be there at the end. That's why all the wickets fell"

Viyaskanth speaking on the sidelines is absolutely overjoyed: "I told my teammates that I would finish the game off as I was walking out," beams the 21-year-old.

11.15pm Well what a final in the end, and of Jaffna's three finals this was the one in which they've been made to work the hardest. Colombo Stars can hold their heads high, after they put up a incredibly competitive total and then pushed Jaffna to their limits. For Jaffna it was a team effort. First Viyaskanth and Wellalage, their two young stars, kept them in the game in the middle overs after Colombo had threatened to post an even bigger total. Then with the bat, it was a calculated chase. Gurbaz went hard at the top, but then after he fell Avishka and Sadeera played percentage cricket. Even when Sadeera fell and wickets kept going down at the other end, Avishka hung around, and by the time he fell the chase was down to a very manageable level. Even then Colombo pressed, but it was in the end too tall of an ask.

2 needed off 4. 2 wickets in hand. 7 in the circle.

Tinura: "Rajitha's reaction after Thisara shooted that ball into the moon was priceless...!!!"

Now we're down to 6 off 6. What's more Colombo have a slow over rate, so they need to have five in the circle.

JAM: "Wikipedia already showing JK champions of 2022."

Binura is the new man.

JOYDEEP GILL: "Fun fact once in ipl Punjab Kings couldn't chase 4 runs within 6 balls hope this will not take place in this match too "

11 needed from 8. And two new batters at the crease. Tasty.

Do Kings leave it for the last over? I would be surprised to be honest.

Slip in place.

Thisara, the captain, comes out with 15 needed off 14.

Moves to 49.

Wellalage comes in with 18 needed off 19.

Mohan: "Need a 3fer from Rajita. He is my Fantasy Captain." I'm rooting for you Mohan.

Afeef: "One thing is for certain, Thisara Perera is a brilliant T20 captain. He's led Jaffna very well every season."

Offcutter: "There are no teams from the ex war zones of North/East taking part in club cricket yet. Or any other provinces for that matter. Cricket, AFIK is played by clubs based in Colombo. This needs to change to attract talent and have a large pool of players to select from. "

JOYDEEP GILL: "What was the most runs in lpl of all time did anyone make more than 300 in recent seasons or a Fernando is the only one has made that batsman in this season" Danushka Gunathilaka racked up 476 in the inaugural edition.