LPL 2026: Play-off line-up set as rain threat looms over Colombo

The Pallekele International Stadium on Sunday night witnessed the Dambulla Sixers’ dream of qualifying for the play-offs being washed away by persistent rain, as their match against SC Jaffna Kings was abandoned.

Dambulla entered the contest knowing that only a convincing victory would keep their play-off hopes alive. A win would have taken them level with Kandy Royals on six points and given them a chance to move ahead on net run rate. They did their part with the bat, posting an imposing 203 after being sent in, but the weather had the final say.

Heavy rain set in during the innings interval and, despite some improvement in conditions, the outfield remained unfit for play. At 10.45 pm local time, the match officials abandoned the contest, with both teams sharing the points.

The washout proved enough to send Kandy through to the knockout stage at Dambulla’s expense.

The play-offs get underway on 5 August at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Table-toppers Jaffna will take on second-placed Galle Gallants in the Qualifier in the afternoon before Colombo meet Kandy in the Eliminator later in the evening.

It promises to be a high-octane contest between Jaffna and Galle, given the brand of cricket both teams have played throughout the tournament. Colombo will start as slight favourites against Kandy, who will be without several of their overseas stars, including Moeen Ali, Sediqullah Atal and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Rain has followed the tournament from Kandy to Colombo, and the entire knockout stage is under threat from the weather. According to the forecast for Sri Lanka’s capital, the rain gods could once again play spoilsport. There are no reserve days for Qualifier 1, the Eliminator or Qualifier 2. However, if the final is washed out, a reserve day has been scheduled for 9 August.

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