Chathuranga De Silva, Suraj Randiv & Lahiru Madusanka put up excellent performances for Commercial Credit as they defeated the pre-tournament favourites, MAS Unichela by 3 wickets in their MCA Premier League 2015/16 quarter-final encounter at Moratuwa on Wednesday.
Photo Album – MAS Unichela Vs Commercial Credit
In the other two quarter-final matches, John Keells and Sampath Bank registered comfortable victories to secure their semi-final berths.
Commercial Credit vs MAS Unichela
After being asked to bat first, MAS Unichela made only 221 all out. In-form left-hander, Danushka Gunathilake top-scored with 89 while experienced campaigner, TM Dilshan struck 63 runs. Left-arm spinner Chathuranga De Silva bowled a superb spell to take 7 wickets for 34 runs.
Chasing 222 to win, Commercial Credit were 102 for 7 at one stage but Suraj Randiv & Lahiru Madusanka blasted stunning half-tons to guide their home to an unlikely win. Both remained unbeaten on 73 & 66 respectively.
MAS Unichela – 221 all out in 49.5 overs: Danushka Gunathilake 89, TM Dilshan 63, Lahiru Jayarathne 31, Lahiru Madushanka 2/41, Chathuranga De Silva 7/34.
Commercial Credit – 224/7 in 49.2 overs: Suraj Randiv 73*, Lahiru Madushanka 66*, Lahiru Jayarathne 2/40.
Sampath Bank vs Hatton National Bank
Left-hander Primosh Perera’s 80 and Sameen Kandanaarachchi’s 59 ensured Sampath Bank beat Hatton National Bank by 5 wickets at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
HNB managed only 204 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. Wicket-keeper batsman, Deshan Dias was the top-scorer with 47 while Nimesh Perera contributed with 30. Sampath Bank comfortably chased down the target thanks to Primosh and Sameen with little less than 10 overs to spare.
HNB – 204/7 in 50 overs: Deshan Dias 47, Nimesh Perera 30, Hasantha Fernando 2/28, Hasitha Nirmal 2/22.
Sampath Bank – 206/5 in 40.4 overs: Primosh Perera 80, Sameen Kandanaarachchi 59, Madawa Warnapura 3/43.
John Keells Holdings vs Seylan Bank
Pace-spin combination of Janaka Gunaratne and Bhanuka Rajapakse helped John Keells beat Seylan Bank by 67 runs in a low-scoring affair at MCA grounds.
The match was curtailed to a 28-over game due to overnight rain. Seylan opted to field first. JKH blasted their way to 164 for 8 in 28 overs. Harsha Cooray impressed with the bat scoring 43 while former Peterite Akshu Fernando made 28.
Seylan in their chase was disastrous as they were bundled out for a mere 97. Former Trinitian Kaveen Hiniduma was the only batsman to score 20 runs. Off-spinner Janaka Gunarathne picked up 5 wickets for the winners.
John Keells – 164/9 in 28 overs:Harsha Cooray 43, Akshu Fernando 28, Kanchana Gunawardena 2/33, Chanaka Wijesinghe 2/31.
Seylan Bank – 97 all out in 23.4 overs: Kaveen Hiniduma 20, Janaka Gunarathne 5/19, Banuka Rajapakshe 4/28.
SEMI-FINAL Lineup
MAS Active vs Sampath Bank – 25th October at MCA grounds.
John Keells vs Commercial Credits – 25th October at FTZ grounds, Katunayake.
