Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Stars, LPL 2022, Today Match Prediction 23 December 2022

jsk vs cls Match Prediction & Analysis

We are in the final of the Lanka Premier League 2022. Defending champions Jaffna Kings shall be eying their third consecutive title as they take on the Colombo Stars. They have been in good form and defeated the Kandy Falcons in the 1st Qualifier. The Stars have done well in the playoffs, winning both their games. They defeated the Kandy Falcons in the 2nd Qualifier by a significant margin.  

The Jaffna Kings have won the last two editions of the tournament and have players for the big occasions. They have lost just two games this year and have key players in good form. The Colombo Stars must punch above their weight to win this game. There will be pressure on both teams, and we shall see a close contest. We will likely witness a close contest between the bat and the ball. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Jaffna Kings Preview

Thisara Perera would be confident heading into this game. They have had an excellent record against the Colombo Stars and have won the last four games against them. The side has its batting line-up in good form, and Perera shall expect his side to continue with the same momentum and make it a hat-trick of titles.  

The side would like to see a good start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando, as each can play a decisive role in the game. In the middle order, they would look for a good show from Sadeera Samarawickrama, Afif Hossain, and Dunith Wellalage, who have done well in the tournament. Shoaib Malik and Perera are good finishers, and the team would expect big hits from them toward the end.  

On the bowling front, the side would need a good start from Binura Fernando and Perera as the Stars have a strong batting line-up at the top. Maheesh Theekshana and Zaman Khan must bowl in the right areas to break the scoring rate. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and Malik add to the side's bowling depth, and they need to fare the test in this big game. 

Jaffna Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Thisara Perera (c), Avishka Fernando, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Afif Hossain, Shoaib Malik, Dunith Wellalage, Zaman Khan, Binura Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Maheesh Theekshana

Jaffna Kings Actual Playing XI:

Dunith Wellalage, Avishka Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando, Zaman Khan, Afif Hossain, Shoaib Malik, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Thisara Perera, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Colombo Stars Preview

Few would have expected Angelo Mathews' team to play the final after the inconsistent run they had had in the tournament. The side did well in the playoffs and comes here with a 6-wicket win against the Kandy Falcons. They take on the strongest team in this tournament, and the Stars' skipper would like his players to fire all cylinders and bag their first title win in the game.  

Nishan Madushka and Dinesh Chandimal shall look to deliver a good start in the game as they will take on an experienced attack. Charith Asalanka and Ravi Bopara did well in the middle order, and they will look to add runs with Dominic Drakes. Mathews adds firepower to the batting down the order, and he has to do well alongside Seekkuge Prasanna and Benny Howell.  

Kasun Rajitha bowled brilliantly in the last game, and he will look to do well sharing the new ball with Suranga Lakmal. Dominic Drakes and Mohammad Nabi must bring their experience to use as they play against some of the best hitters of the ball. Benny Howell and Seekkuge Prasanna need to match up to the challenge for the side to win. 

Colombo Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Angelo Mathews (c), Nishan Madushka (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Ravi Bopara, Seekkuge Prasanna, Benny Howell, Mohammad Nabi, Dominic Drakes, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal

Colombo Stars Actual Playing XI:

Ravi Bopara, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Benny Howell, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Dominic Drakes, Seekkuge Prasanna, Mohammad Nabi, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Colombo shall be partially cloudy on December 23. The wicket is good for batting, and lots of runs have been made and chased here. Spinners do well at this venue, and batters must keep that in mind. The side batting first in the game would need 170 runs on the board to feel safe.

Venue Details

R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, is a great surface to bat on where batsmen can play the ball on the up. Fast bowlers have struggled here in the past as there is hardly anything in the surface for them with the new ball. Spinners have enjoyed good success as the ball turns and stops on the batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

It will be a high-pressure contest, and both sides would like to play it safe at the toss. The evening dew shall also be on the minds of the captains, as bowling second in this game won't be easy. The side that wins the toss here shouldn't have any hesitation in opting to bowl first.