The final two games of the group stage in the MCA Premier League T20 concluded today (23rd January), with MAS Unichela and DIMO recording vital wins.
MAS vs LBF
Kamindu Mendis’ whirlwind knock of 87 led MAS Unichela to a comprehensive win over League and Knockout winners LB Finance, who gave the knockout punch.
Mendis’ knock enabled Unichela to post a daunting 225/8 with Mahela Udawatte also making 47.
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LB Finance lost wickets at regular intervals before some late fireworks from Chathuranga Kumara gave them some respectability. Kumara hit 41 off 17 balls while Anuk Fernando’s left-arm seamers yielded 3/09 for Unichela.
With this win, Unichela qualified as the second-placed team from their group along with Hayleys – who topped the group – and will meet DIMO in their semi-final. SLC Emerging will meet Hayleys in the other semi-final with both games to be played at the MCA on the 24th and 25th January respectively.
MAS Holdings 225/8 (20) Kamindu Mendis 87, Mahela Udawatte 47, Thilakarathna Sampath 24, Asitha Fernando 3/37, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 2/33, Charitha Asalanka 2/50
LB Finance 142 (17.1) Chathuranga Kumara 41, Asitha Fernando 27, Anuk Fernando 3/09, Dhammika Prasad 2/16, Thilakarathna Sampath 2/21, Kamindu Mendis 2/31
DIMO vs SLC Emerging
A complete all-round effort from DIMO ensured they finished top of their group when they defeated SLC Emerging by 35 runs.
Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals with Sampath Bank losing both their matches, but they had all to play for to top their respective group.
DIMO posted 181 with Charith Kumarasinghe starring with the bat top-scoring with 38 runs. Himesh Ramanayake picked up three wickets for SLC Emerging while Keshan Wijeratne and Dhananjaya Lakshan picked up two apiece.
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Sangeeth Cooray’s 39 gave SLC Emerging a bit of hope during the run chase, but it was short-lived as they were bowled out for just 146 runs. Nisala Tharaka starred with the ball for DIMO with three scalps while Kavishka Anjula and Pulina Tharanga picked up two wickets apiece.
DIMO 181 (19.5) Charith Kumarasinghe 38, Pulina Tharanga 26, Nisala Taraka 21, Himesh Ramanayake 3/19, Keshan Wijerathne 2/27, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/22
SLC Emerging 146 (19.5) Sangeeth Cooray 39, Janith Liyanage 27, Nisala Taraka 3/36, Thikshila De Silva 2/20, Kavishka Anjula 2/25 Pulina Tharanga 2/16
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