Rajapaksa is man of the match: "Credit should go to the bowler. We had a plan to keep it tight. I had to bat through the innings. I was playing quite natural. Hope we get better tracks for batting in the next few games.:

He also dedicates his player of the match award to SLC ironically. Is this a jab for not having been picked for the national team, or something else? We'll keep in touch with this storyline and many others through the tournament. But don't leave yet. Hop over to our coverage of the second match.

*** Rajapaksa's fine 61 not out off 37, where he showed the kind of leadership Jaffna Kings' innings was screaming out for, proved the decisive contribution in the match. He took a little time to get going, but was chose his moments to attack and get Kings ahead of the rate following a poor first 10 overs. Then he grew in confidence as the target drew closer, and found decent enough support at the other end to get Kings home with an over to spare.

Earlier, Lizaad Williams and Traveen Mathew had taken three wickets each, while Shakib claimed two, as Kings dismissed Sixers for 139. Pavan Rathnayake's 27 off 16 was the only real innings of note for Dambulla Strikers.

Wijerathne: "Finally, Bhanuka rising to the occasion. Never doubted his ability. "

The Bhanuka fan club is still running strong.

Ramesh Mendis is back. He was expensive in his last over, and Rajapaksa will fancy this battle.