LPL 2024 Final: Galle Marvels' Bhanuka Rajapaksa brings back Asia Cup 2022 final memory with 34-ball 82 vs Jaffna Kings

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LPL 2024: Galle Marvels were in trouble after being asked to bat first as Jaffna Kings reduced them to 24/3 in 6.5, however middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 82 runs off just 34 balls to help them finish at 184/6 in 20 overs.

The 32-year-old brought back the memories of the Asia Cup 2022 final where he scored unbeaten 71 runs off 45 balls to help Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs. His innings had consisted of six fours and three sixes on the occasion.

Image Courtesy: Sri Lanka Cricket

At the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (July 21), the left-hander blasted eight fours and as many as six sixes. He. forged two crucial partnerships - 62 off 32 with Tim Seifert for the fourth wicket, before a super handy 72-run partnership off 30 balls with Sahan Arachchige for the fifth wicket.

Rajapaksa finished the LPL 2024 season as the third-highest run-scorer for Galle Marvels. He scored 236 runs in 10 matches at an average of 29.50 and a strike rate of 163.88. His teammate Tim Seifert - the top run-scorer in the LPL 2024 - became the only player to score 400 runs this season.

Galle Marvels are aiming for their first LPL trophy, and would have to be careful in the second innings against a very strong Jaffna Kings batting unit. The likes of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, who slammed a hundred on Saturday in Qualifier 2, Rilee Rossouw, Charitha Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva feature in the batting line-up of the two-time champions.

Galla are expected to rely heavily on their spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Prabath Jayasuriya. Isuru Udana and Dwaine Pretorious are also playing for Galle in the final.