MAS Unichela and LB Finance will meet in the finals of 27th Singer-MCA Premier Knock-out Championship tomorrow, 23rd November at MCA Grounds.
Road to finals
LB Finance has had a tremendous season this year remaining unbeaten throughout the league tournament to finish as League champions and gained a direct qualification to the Knock-out semi-finals. They won 3 games in the league tournament in an authoritative manner and 3 games were washed away.
MAS Unichela on the other hand played only 2 games in the league with the rest being washed off. They recorded a close win against Dimo in the league but lost the runner-up position losing the decider against Sampath Bank. Coming into the knock-outs MAS Unichela defeated Hayleys Group by in the quarter-finals and recorded a thumping win against Sampath Bank in the semi-finals.
Key players – MAS Unichela
The entire tournament showcased some of the big names in Sri Lanka Cricket. In these two teams too some of the top talent Sri Lanka produced will take the field.
Among them of course, T.M. Dilshan will be the man in everyone’s focus. Not just because he is a veteran of the game, but also the kind of strength he adds to the MAS Unichela outfit. With short boundaries at MCA, LB Finance would want to get him out very quickly as otherwise it could end up disastrous for them. Dilshan’s 10 overs with the ball too is something MAS Unichela is relying heavily on. LB Finance will look to finding a way to put him off right from the start if he opts to open the bowling from one end before he takes away a few run-less overs from them.
Thilakarane.M Sampath is someone who could make you wish that the MCA grounds were a bit bigger if you are the bowling side. It’s important that LB Finance doesn’t let the Thilakaratne brothers settle in this game.
The absolute live wire for MAS Unichela is the youngster, Kamindu Mendis who could come in handy in all aspects of the game. Batting at number 3, he could easily bat a game away from any opponent. He is someone whom teams will spend time on planning about.
Later down the order, the experience of Chamara Silva will be priceless in tensed chases.
Bowling unit will be led by the skipper Dilruwan Perera and his 10 overs are going to be crucial for MAS Unichela. Pace department will heavily rely on Lahiru Madushanka who had been doing a good job with the new ball.
Read More : MAS Unichela thrash Sampath to book final berth
Key players – LB Finance
LB Finance is pretty much a young outfit when compared to MAS Unichela. The man with the biggest potential, Kusal Mendis, will be the core of LB Finance team. Crowding around him, will be a relatively young but exciting set of players who have proven themselves on the international stage. Dhananjaya de Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama are players to keep an eye on. Sadeera is very likely to open the batting for LB Finance while Dhananjaya de Silva should bat at no. 4 or 6 depending on the situation.
Up and coming stars Charith Asalanka and Ashen Bandara will strengthen the middle-order and they’ll both add a value to the outfit with their all-round abilities.
Sahan Aarachchige is a young talent, more of a silent assassin who sweeps the game away from you without much fuss. His tidy and economical right-arm off spin will be invaluable for skipper Lakshan Rodrigo and his skills with the bat makes him an option to bat anywhere in that list.
With their ace bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Isuru Udana away with other commitments, L B Finance will not be the most comfortable bowling unit. Their leading wicket-taker in the league, Shiran Fernando returns and he will be the center of the pack. Lakshan Rodrigo will have to use his bowlers strategically with the inexperienced bowling line up he has got. Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the spin attack while school leaver Kavika Dilshan might raise some eyebrows.
Read More : LB Finance outplay JKH to reach finals
Changes
Both teams will definitely make a few tweaks to their line ups from the semi-finals with the return of their players who were away on national duty.
There is no doubt, Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara and Shiran Fernando would walk in straight to the playing XI of LB Finance from the Emerging Asia cup.
While MAS Unichela will probably consider Nuwan Thushara in place of Nipun Ransika, Pathum Nissanka may replace Ramith Rambukwella.
Pitch conditions
Yet again it is expected to be another irritatingly slow surface at MCA and hot weather conditions may also see some turn.
Squads
MAS Unichela – Dilruwan Perera (Captain), Kusal Perera, Thilakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Mahela Udawatte, Dhammika Prasad, T. M. Sampath, Priyamal Perera, Ramith Rambukwella, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lahiru Madushanka, Lahiru Jayaratne, Nuwan Thushara, Dhanushka Gunathilake, Niroshan Dickwella, Anuk Fernando, Duvindu Tillakaratne, Kamindu Mendis, Hasitha Boyagoda, Nipun Ransika, Pathum Nissanka.
LB Finance Squad – Lakshan Rodrigo (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Dhanajaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Isuru Udana, Angelo Perera, Rajeewa Weerasinghe, Shehan Jayasuriya, Ranitha Liyanarachchi, Chathuranga Kumara, Lahiru Udara, Shiran Fernando, Sahan Aarachchige, Lahiru Kumara, Sachin Dalpethado, Angelo Jayasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Kavika Dilshan, Anushka Perera
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