B-Love Kandy vs Jaffna Kings, LPL 2023, Today Match Prediction 05 August 2023

KAF vs JKS Match Prediction & Analysis

B-Love Kandy finally got their first points of the season after a thumping win against Dambulla Aura yesterday. Kandy is still last on the table because of their poor net run rate, but now they can slowly start making their way up. Their next clash, however, is against table-toppers Jaffna Kings this evening at Pallekele. The Kings are at the top of the table with two wins and one defeat after three games and a net run rate of +0.894. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

B-Love Kandy Preview

Following two consecutive defeats, B-Love Kandy clinched their maiden win of the season by defeating Dambulla Aura at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Kandy had no trouble reaching the target of 157 runs, thanks to their solid batting performance. Dinesh Chandimal top-scored with a classy knock of 48 off 29 balls. The team was counting on the seasoned batter to regain his form, and we believe he will maintain his impact as the opener throughout this season.

Angelo Mathews (28* off 20 balls) and Asif Ali (16* off 8 balls) did the perfect finishing job. Both of these batters are important for Kandy’s future in the competition. Matthews is the most experienced batter and can play the sheet anchor role in the middle order, while Asif can take the bowlers on. 

We had expected Mujeeb Ur Rahman to deliver in the previous game, and he did. The off-spinner from Afghanistan took 2 wickets for 17 runs from his 4 overs against Dambulla Aura. Mujeeb bowls the Powerplay overs and doesn’t let batters score runs easily. 

Fast bowler Isuru Udana, who has 5 wickets in 3 innings this season, is another bowler to watch out for.

B-Love Kandy Predicted Playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Ashen Bandara, Asif Ali, Isuru Udana, Mohammad Hasnain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera

B-Love Kandy Actual Playing XI:

Kamindu Mendis, Asif Ali, Isuru Udana, Angelo Mathews, Fakhar Zaman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Dushmantha Chameera, Sahan Arachchige, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanidu Hasaranga, Nuwan Pradeep

Jaffna Kings Preview

Jaffna Kings have had a good season so far. They have won two and lost one and seem to have a solid, well-balanced unit. At Pallekele last night, the Kings notched up a comfortable 8-wicket win over Galle Titans. They restricted the Titans to just 117-9 and then chased the target in 12.4 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (54 off 39 balls) and Towhid Hridoy (44* off 23 balls) were the batters who stood out for the Kings in the chase. 

The Kings have assembled a strong batting unit this year. Gurbaz had an excellent IPL and seems to be continuing his form. He’s an attacking opener, and another quickfire cameo from him is on the cards. Hridoy is also in excellent form, having amassed 122 runs in just 3 games this season, maintaining an impressive average of 61.

Both David Miller and Thisara Perera haven't had their moment to shine, but we have high hopes that either of them will leave a mark on this game.

Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage’s spell of 4-10 wrecked Galle Titans last night. The 20-year-old spinner created problems for experienced batters like Shakib Al Hasan and Tim Seifert, and Kandy will definitely need to watch out against him on this pitch. 

Jaffna Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Charith Asalanka, Towhid Hridoy, Priyamal Perera, David Miller, Thisara Perera (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Nandre Burger, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Nuwan Thushara

Jaffna Kings Actual Playing XI:

Nandre Burger, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Priyamal Perera, Towhid Hridoy, Thisara Perera, David Miller, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage, Charith Asalanka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Pallekele is usually good for batting. This season, the pitch seems to have slowed down a bit, making batting a little more challenging. Spinners, particularly, are finding help here, and taking them on won’t be easy. The surface tends to stay true throughout, and once batters get acclimatized to the conditions, they will get their chance to attack the bowlers. 

The weather in Pallekele during the match is expected to be cloudy with an occasional shower or two.

KAF vs JKS Pitch Report

The average score batting first at Pallekele this season is 136, while the overall average first innings score in domestic T20 matches on this ground is 163. The highest total posted at the venue is 240/4 by Jaffna Kings. The team batting first in this game should look to set a target of around 160-170 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

Two matches have been played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in the Lanka Premier League 2023, suggesting that the chasing team has an advantage in this venue. The team winning the toss is therefore likely to field first.