Dominant and unbeaten CDB ‘A’ became champions of the Singer-MCA Super Premier League T20 Tournament with five wins on the trot, defeating Fairfirst Insuarance in the final played yesterday (14th January) at the MCA Grounds in Colombo.
Playing XI:
Fairfirst Insuarance: Gaviru Senhas (WK), Thanuka Dabare, Minod Bhanuka, Gayana Weerasinghe, Anuk Fernando, Moditha Ranathunga (C), Nimesh Vimukthi, Imthiyas Slaza, Chamika Gunasekara, Lahiru Madhusankha, Uditha Sandaruwan
CDB ‘A’: Lahiru Udara (WK), Lasith Croospulle, Oshada Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Sonal Dinusha, Angelo Perera, Lahiru Madushanka (C), Movin Subasinghe, Muditha Lakshan, Tharindu Rathnayake, Isitha Wijesundara
CDB ‘A’ captain Lahiru Madushanka won the all-important toss and opted to bowl first in the final. Fairfirst Insuarance struggled to build momentum and found themselves at 82 for 5 after 11 overs. Minod Bhanuka contributed 26 runs, while skipper Moditha Ranathunga managed 20.
However, Anuk Fernando and Nimesh Vimukthi revived the innings with a superb 76-run partnership, helping their side post a competitive score of 170/9 in 20 overs. Fernando struck a 37-ball fifty, including 2 fours and 4 sixes, while Vimukthi smashed 5 maximums in his quick-fire 20-ball 37.
Both set batters were dismissed in the penultimate over, following a bowling change that introduced Lasith Croospulle. Croospulle broke the 6th-wicket stand by dismissing Vimukthi and ended with figures of 2/7 in his solitary over. Fernando’s innings was cut short by a runout. Movin Subasinghe also contributed with the ball, claiming 2 wickets for 33 runs in his 4 overs.
In reply, CDB ‘A’ chased down the target in just 13.4 overs with 5 wickets in hand. Lahiru Udara provided a flying start, smashing 35 off 17 balls as CDB ‘A’ raced to 71 runs in the powerplay, which ultimately proved decisive.
After being reduced to 80 for 3, Pavan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha stitched together a quick-fire half-century partnership to seal the victory. Rathnayake top-scored with a blistering 51 off 26 balls, featuring 3 fours and 5 sixes, while Dinusha sealed the victory in style, smashing 6, 4, 4, 6 to remain unbeaten on 36 off just 17 balls.
For Fairfirst Insuarance, Nimesh Vimukthi fought valiantly with the ball, picking up 2 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs. Imthiyas Slaza also chipped in with 2 wickets in his 2 overs, but it wasn’t enough to prevent CDB ‘A’ from lifting the trophy.
Brief Scores:
Fairfirst Insuarance – 170/9 (20) Anuk Fernando 51, Nimesh Vimukthi 37, Minod Bhanuka 26, Moditha Ranathunga 20, Gaviru Senhas 13, Lasith Croospulle 2/7, Movin Subasinghe 2/33, Muditha Lakshan 1/20, Isitha Wijesundara 1/28, Tharindu Rathnayake 1/44
CDB ‘A’ – 171/5 (13.4) Pavan Rathnayake 51, Sonal Dinusha 36*, Lahiru Udara 35, Oshada Fernando 15, Angelo Perera 10, Imthiyas Slaza 2/19, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/25, Chamika Gunasekara 1/38
Result – CDB ‘A’ won by 5 wickets.