22 needed off 6: Ex-CSK star Vijay Shankar's batting ends in wicket-maiden as Dilshan Madushanka seals last-over win in LPL

22 needed off 6: Ex-CSK star Vijay Shankar's batting ends in wicket-maiden as Dilshan Madushanka seals last-over win in LPL originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Dilshan Madushanka bowled a final-over wicket maiden to seal Jaffna Kings' win in LPL 2026.

Kandy Royals needed 22 off the last six balls with one recognised batter left.

Former CSK star Vijay Shankar was dismissed off the final delivery as Kandy fell 21 short.

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Vijay Shankar's batting ends in a wicket-maiden as Dilshan Madushanka seals a last-over win

The Lanka Premier League served up a gripping finish in Pallekele on Thursday, with a title contender's chase collapsing at the last hurdle. What had been a high-scoring contest between Jaffna Kings and Kandy Royals came down to a single, unforgettable over from a Sri Lanka international.

Batting first after being invited to do so, Jaffna posted an imposing 221/6, built on brisk contributions through their order. As reported by NDTV, Kamil Mishara top-scored with 49 while Chamindu Wickramasinghe provided late impetus with 43 off just 15 balls, setting Kandy a daunting target.

Kandy Royals mounted a spirited response but ultimately fell short, bowled out for 200 to lose by 21 runs. The chase never quite kept pace with the rate, and the equation grew steeper as wickets tumbled around a series of promising starts.

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Madushanka's final-over masterclass

The decisive drama unfolded in the 20th over, with Kandy requiring 22 runs from six balls and clinging to their last recognised batter. Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka was handed the ball against former India batter Vijay Shankar, and he responded with a spell of ruthless precision.

According to ESPNcricinfo's commentary, Madushanka speared in a mix of slower off-cutters and yorkers that left Shankar swinging in vain. Five successive dot balls followed, the batter unable to make clean contact, before Madushanka rounded off the wicket-maiden by dismissing Shankar off the final delivery to seal victory in style.

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Shankar, who had earlier fought to 25 off 21 balls, could only pull the last ball to deep backward square leg, ending both the innings and Kandy's hopes. The win lifted Jaffna to the top of the points table.

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The bowlers who set it up

The foundation for Jaffna's defence was laid long before the final over. As reported by NDTV, Dunith Wellalage swung the contest firmly in the Kings' favour with an outstanding spell of 3/11, choking Kandy's momentum through the middle overs.

He found able support across the attack. Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with important wickets, while Kandy's brightest resistance came from Pawan Sandesh, whose quick-fire 48 from 21 deliveries briefly threatened before the asking rate spiralled beyond their reach.

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For Kandy, two wickets apiece from Wanindu Hasaranga and Moeen Ali had kept Jaffna's total within reach, but the batting could not finish the job. Jaffna Kings will now face Dambulla Sixers on Sunday in their final league fixture.

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A finish that flattered a one-sided defence

The margin of 21 runs and the theatre of the last over should not disguise what was, in truth, a comfortable Jaffna win. Kandy's chase flickered without ever genuinely threatening, and needing 22 off the final six with one wicket standing was less a nail-biter than a formality dressed up as tension.

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The lasting image, though, belongs to Madushanka, whose ice-cold execution under the lights offered a reminder of his international pedigree. For Shankar and Kandy, it was a deflating way to surrender a contest, their playoff hopes fraying further with each dot ball of an over they would want to forget.

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