Championship Night in Colombo: The 7th edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL 2026) reaches its epic climax at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo as four-time champions Jaffna Kings collide with Galle Gallants in the Grand Finale! Stream every championship boundary, key turn of spin, and live score update on [[/channel/willow-sports-live-cricket-tv/:Willow by Cricbuzz]] via TrillerTV.
Road to the Final
Jaffna Kings
League Stage: Finished 1st on the table with 11 points (5 wins, 2 losses, 1 no-result) across 8 matches.
Qualifier 1: Defeated Galle Gallants by 14 runs in a high-scoring blockbuster. Jaffna posted a staggering 242/2 in 20 overs behind an unbeaten 108* off 55 balls from player of the match Kamil Mishara, supported by Khawaja Nafay (54) and Towhid Hridoy (54*). Despite Galle's fierce chase, Jaffna's bowlers, led by Mohamed Shiraz (3/32), held Galle to 228/8 to secure a direct spot in the final.
Galle Gallants
League Stage: Finished 2nd on the table with 10 points (5 wins, 3 losses).
Qualifier 1: Came up just 14 runs short against Jaffna Kings after chasing a target of 243. Sam Harper scored 44 off 21 and Chamika Karunaratne added 39 in a valiant 228/8 effort that sent Galle to the second qualifier.
Qualifier 2: Bounced back with a 6-wicket victory over Colombo Kaps. Galle restricted Colombo to 176 all out (with Sachindu Colombage and Charith Asalanka taking 2 wickets each). Player of the match Sam Harper smashed 77 off 51 balls alongside captain Charith Asalanka's 59 off 42 to comfortably reach 177/4 with 8 balls to spare and punch their ticket to Saturday's final.
Ultimate Title Clash at R. Premadasa
After four weeks of high-octane T20 action, the LPL 2026 title comes down to a heavyweight battle between the league's most successful franchise and a star-studded contender hungry for glory.
For the Jaffna Kings, coached by Avishka Gunawardene and led by charismatic skipper Charith Asalanka, a fifth LPL title is within reach. Having earned direct entry into the final through Qualifier 1, Jaffna enters rested and confident. With top-order run-scorers Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, [[/fighter/pathum-nissanka/40365/:Pathum Nissanka]], and explosive international firepower in Towhid Hridoy and Khawaja Nafay, Jaffna's batting order poses a threat from ball one. Their bowling attack, featuring leg-spinner [[/fighter/wanindu-hasaranga/40364/:Wanindu Hasaranga]], Dunith Wellalage, Shakib Al Hasan, and pace options Mohamed Shiraz and Lizaad Williams, has repeatedly delivered under pressure.
For the Galle Gallants, Saturday's final represents the ultimate shot at revenge against the side that beat them in Qualifier 1. Powered by dynamic hitters Dasun Shanaka, Sam Harper, Sahan Arachchige, and Chamika Karunaratne, Galle has demonstrated they possess the batting depth to hunt down big targets. To lift the trophy, Galle's bowling unit-led by Akif Javed, Sachindu Colombage, and spinner Mohammad Nawaz-will need early breakthroughs in the powerplay to contain Jaffna's top order.
Squads & Key Players
Jaffna Kings Squad
Core Lineup / Key Performers: Kamil Mishara, Avishka Fernando, Towhid Hridoy, Khawaja Nafay, [[/fighter/kusal-mendis/40366/:Kusal Mendis]] (wk), [[/fighter/wanindu-hasaranga/40364/:Wanindu Hasaranga]], Charith Asalanka (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Mohamed Shiraz, Lizaad Williams, Dunith Wellalage, Dilshan Madushanka
Tactical Focus: Rapid top-order powerplay boundary acceleration, middle-overs spin control, and experienced death-over pace variations.
Galle Gallants Squad
Core Lineup / Key Performers: Sam Harper (wk), Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, [[/fighter/mohammad-nawaz/40506/:Mohammad Nawaz]], Akif Javed, Dinura Kalupahana, Eshan Malinga, Tom Rogers, Sachindu Colombage, Tharindu Rathnayake, Chris Lynn, Rassie van der Dussen
Tactical Focus: High-tempo early boundary hitting, disciplined spin containment in middle overs, and clutch execution under championship pressure.
Game Format & Playing Conditions
Format: Official Twenty20 International rules (20 overs per side).
Powerplay: Overs 1–6 (Maximum 2 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle).
Pitch & Weather: The R. Premadasa pitch under lights typically offers good carry early on before assisting spinners as the match wears on. Warm, clear evening conditions expected in Colombo.
