Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga chose not to rescind his appeal for a run out dismissal against Jaffna Kings' Avishka Fernando in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 match on July 26. The Kandy Royals skipper initially run out Fernando after Kamil Mishara's shot hit him on the stomach. The ball ricocheted to him and he took off the bail. Just as Fernando was heading to the dugout, Hasaranga told the umpire that he is withdrawing the appeal and calling the batter back.Â
Â
The incident took place in the seventh over, Jaffna Kings were 66 for no loss. On the third delivery, Mishara danced down the wicket and played an aggressive shot. Fernando tried to get out of the way but it hit him on the stomach. The ball deflected off the batter to Hasaranga and Fernando had no chance of making it back. The opener was batting on 46 off 24 balls then.
ALSO READ:Â BCCI to postpone Afghanistan T20I series for Bangladesh tour in September, subject to govt approval: Report
The dugout of both teams, spectators and the commentators lauded Hasaranga. Fernando hugged the all-rounder for the gesture as well. But, there is debate from both sides on the social media whether it is just true sportsmanship or a missed chance to stage his team’s comeback.
129-run opening partnership
Fernando went on to complete his half-century from 29 balls. The opening partnership was finally broken in the 13th over. Dushan Hemantha got the wicket of Fernando who scored 66 runs from 36 balls. Fernando and Mishara shared a 129-run partnership from 12.5 overs. Mishara went on to score 78 runs from 53 balls. Hasaranga remained wicketless from his three overs. Jaffna Kings went on to post 199/4 on the board.
No fight in run chase of 200
In the run chase, Kandy Royals suffered a batting collapse. Lahiru Udara, who scored a 41-ball 54, lacked support from the other end. Kusal Perera, Dale Phillips, Angelo Matthews, Moeen Ali, Hasaranga registered single-digit scores. Vijay Shankar bagged a three-ball duck. Mohammed Shiraz and Dunith Wellalage claimed three wickets each as Royals were bowled out for 106 in 18.2 overs.
Kings registered a massive 93-run win in Dambulla. This is their third win from five games. Meanwhile, Royals found themselves at the bottom of the points table with four losses from six games.