Lanka T20 League 2023

Eliminator: BK vs JK

Preview

The eliminator of the Sri Lanka T20 League 2023 will see BK take the field against JK at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Thursday, August 17. BK thus far has put on an average performance in this edition of the tournament. With four wins and as many losses in eight games, BLK finished third in the league standings. Their opponents JK, have also struggled with consistency this season. They have only managed to win three out of their eight matches and are positioned just a rung below Kandy at fourth. 

BK started their campaign on a positive note but failed to carry forward the winning momentum. They will head into this match on the back of two back to back losses. DA got the better of them in their last outing. The decision to bowl first after winning the toss, completely backfired for skipper Hasaranga and his team, as bowlers leaked 162 runs in 20 overs. In reply, BK could only muster 142 runs on the scoreboard, handing DA a 20 run win. 

Nuwan Pradeep has been BK’s leading wicket taker this season with 12 scalps in 5 matches whereas captain Hasaranga has been their standout batsman with 212 runs under his belt. 

Despite beginning their campaign with a notable win, JK today find themselves in deep waters. They lost their way in the middle and gradually slipped down the pecking order. They were beaten by GT in their most recent fixture. After winning the toss, skipper Perera  elected to bat first. The decision however didn’t work in their favour as the batters put on a piss poor performance and were eventually bundled out for a modest total of 89 runs. GT in reply hunted down the total inside fourteen overs to secure a comprehensive seven wicket victory.  The top order comprises some big names notably Nishan Madhushka, Chris Lynn, Shoaib Malik to name a few. They will need to come good on Thursday. Bowlers have done a decent job up till this point but will have to at their very best against a formidable Kandy batting lineup. Rahmunullah Gurbuz has been their best batter by a mile this season. The explosive opener has made 178 runs in 10 innings. Dunith Wellalage has been JK’s most successful bowler with 11 wickets to his name. Ahead of this mouthwatering fixture, let us have a look at how the two teams will fare out on Thursday. 

Match Details

Match: BK vs JK, Eliminator, Lanka T20 League 2023

Date: Thursday, August 17, 2023

Time: 7:30 PM

Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Pitch and Weather Report

The pitch at R. Premadasa provides almost equal assistance for batter and bowlers. As observed in the previous matches at this venue, the surface is decent for batting. It slows down as the match progresses and the spinners can then come into play. With the track bound to get slower, batting will be a tad challenging. Any total in the range of 180 will be difficult to chase. 

There are chances of rain in the region but we’re hopeful of a complete, uninterrupted match. 

BK vs JK Squads

BK: Aamer Jamal, Lasith Abeyratne, Sahan Arachchige, Asif Ali, Ashen Bandara, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Thanuka Dabare, Chaturanga de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Fakhar Zaman, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Madushanka, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Navod Paranavithana, Suresh Raina, Avishka Tharindu, Malsha Tharupathi, Isuru Udana, Sarfaraz Ahmed 

JK: Nishan Madushka (wk), Asela Gunaratne, Pathum Kumara, Chris Lynn, David Miller, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ashan Randika, Charith Asalanka, Thisara Perera (c), Shoaib Malik, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Ratnarajah Thenurathan, Nuwan Thushara, Hardus Viljoen, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dunith Wellalage, Zaman Khan, Asanka Manoj, Theesan Vithushan, Priyamal Perera, Towhid Hridoy, Nandre Burger

BK vs JK Probable Playing XIs

BK: KNA Bandara, Asif Ali, FK Zaman, W Hasaranga (C), A Mathews, PC de Silva, I Udana, D Chandimal (wk), Mohammad Haris, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, N Pradeep

JK: S Malik, CA Lynn, DA Miller, Towhid Hridoy, T Perera (C), Dunith Wellalage, KNM Fernando, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), N Thushara, D Madushanka, M Theekshana

Match Prediction

BK have won two out of two games against JK this season. They are the stronger side on paper and we fancy them to continue their domination against the Kings. 

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