The present 1st XI cricket team of Ananda College, led by Sri Lanka youth cap Kithma Withanapathirana, cruised to victory against the Ananda College Legends in an Exhibition T20 Encounter to mark the opening of the newly refurbished Ananda College cricket grounds.
Ananda College Present Boys after winning the toss without any hesitation, put the legends into bat on the newly prepared 22 yards. The Legends opened their innings with the legendary duo Sidath Wettimuny and Brendon Kuruppu. However, both were unable to make a significant impact, and neither could Dinesh Chandimal, who walked in at number three.
>>Colts CC and Police SC cruise to dominant wins in opening week<<
Sahan Arachchige struck some lusty blows out of the park, giving a boost to an innings which did not have any kind of momentum whatsoever. With his departure run scoring wasn’t that easy. Avishka Gunawardana, coming into bat down the order which is unheard of, made a flourish of runs towards the backend of the innings, making the score somewhat respectable. The Legends ended their twenty-over quota with just 116 runs. Rashan Dilaksha was the pick of the bowlers for Ananda Present Boys, picking up two wickets.
>>Sri Lanka U17 bounce back with convincing win in Chattogram<<
In reply, Ananda Present Boys got off to a flyer. Nethula Edirimanne led the charge at the top of the innings with a tiny yet effective cameo in the powerplay. Then skipper Kithma Withanapathirana took matters into his own hands, scoring an unbeaten fifty before retiring himself out. Withanapathirana’s innings included three huge sixes, as he took the bowlers to all parts of the new Colonel G.W. Rajapaksha Stadium. Wicketkeeper-batter Lithma Perera also chipped in with a handy unbeaten 34, which sealed the victory for the Present Boys inside 15 overs.
Ananda Legends – 116/8 (20) Sahan Arachchige 33, Awishka Gunawardana 24, Rashan Dilaksha 2/13
Ananda College (1st XI) – 120/3 (14.4) Kithma Withanapathirana 50*, Lithma Perera 34*, Sammu Ashan 2/2
Ananda College (1st XI) won by 7 wickets
