NewsShaheen Afridi Gets Clearance to Play Lanka Premier League for Kandy Royals
Shaheen Afridi has received a no-objection certificate to play his first Lanka Premier League season for Kandy Royals, after missing Pakistan’s Tests.
Dambulla Sixers take on Jaffna Kings in the fourth match of the 2026 Lanka Premier League at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Sunday 19 July. The game begins at 3:00 pm local time, which makes the weather as important a talking point as the cricket.
The Sixers have plenty of batting options, with Reeza Hendricks, Sahibzada Farhan and Dinesh Chandimal near the top and Gulbadin Naib in the middle. Their pace attack could feature Dushmantha Chameera and Fazalhaq Farooqi, with Maheesh Theekshana and Akila Dananjaya providing spin. Jaffna are expected to be led by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who may keep wicket, and have Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara and Ibrahim Zadran in the top order. David Wiese and Dunith Wellalage offer all-round depth, while Sandeep Lamichhane gives them a wrist-spin option.
A moderate chance of showers means the DLS method could come into play. If the rain stays away, dew may help the chasing team later on, and we think 165 would be a good total with 175 or more putting the chasers under heavy pressure. Our preview narrowly favours Jaffna Kings.
The SSC pitch normally gives bat and ball a fair share. There is pace and bounce early and the new ball may move a little, after which batting becomes easier. Spin tends to matter more through the middle phase as the surface dries and grips. Around 160–180 is seen as a competitive first-innings total.
It should be warm and humid in Colombo for the 3:00 pm local start on 19 July, with temperatures around 31°C and mostly cloudy skies. A moderate chance of passing showers means brief stoppages are possible, but long heavy rain is not forecast and conditions should improve through the afternoon. A full or nearly full game remains realistic.
We pick Jaffna Kings, though the margin between the sides looks small.
There is a moderate chance of passing showers around the 3:00 pm local start, so short delays and a DLS adjustment are possible.
A first-innings score of 165 or more should be competitive, while 175 or more would put the chasing side under heavy pressure.
NewsShaheen Afridi has received a no-objection certificate to play his first Lanka Premier League season for Kandy Royals, after missing Pakistan’s Tests.