Expolanka Holdings have been crowned champions of the 5th Fairfirst Insurance-sponsored MCA ‘F’ Division 25-Over League Tournament as they defeated HNB ‘B’ by 13 runs (DLS) in the Final, which was worked off on Saturday (29th April) at the MCA Grounds.
After being put into bat first, Expolanka posted a challenging total of 177/8 on the board in the allotted 25 overs. Lahiru Lakshitha top scored for Expolanka with 69 runs off 48 balls, including 4 sixes and 4 fours.
Hashan Hewanayake also blasted an enterprising cameo (52 runs off 24 balls), swinging the momentum in favor of Expolanka at the innings break.
Lahiru Wickramasinghe and Omal Palihapitiya starred with the ball, picking up 3 wickets each for HNB. Chasing a target of 178 runs to win, HNB got off to a poor start, losing 3 top-order wickets for 33 runs.
Dinesh Panditharatne (44) and Madushan Pathirage (27) rescued the innings with vital knocks, but they were 13 runs behind the DLS score when rain stopped play at MCA Grounds.
Hashan Hewanayake of Expolanka Holdings won both awards for Man of the Match and Man of the Series. Kavindu Perera of 3DH International won the Best Batter, award while Roscoe Thattil was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament.
Brief Scores
Expolanka Holdings – 177/8 (25) Lahiru Lakshitha 61, Hashan Hewanayake 52, S. Mapatuna 25, Lahiru Wickramasinghe 3/30, Omal Palihapitiya 3/38
HNB ‘B’ – 95/5 (15) Dinesh Panditharatne 44, Madushan Pathirage 27, Madhi Namiz 2/19
Result – Expolanka Holdings won by 13 runs (DLS Method)
 in the Final, which was worked off on Saturday (29th April) at the MCA Grounds.){kind=link}