Sri Lanka’s opening pair in the shorter formats of the game, TM Dilshan and Kusal Janith Perera showcased their class when they took the Sampath Bank bowlers to the cleaners in their MCA Premier League encounter as MAS Unichela registered an easy 7-wicket win at P. Sara Oval grounds on Wednesday.
Sampath Bank lost the toss and were asked to bat first by MAS Unichela. Sampath Bank’s innings was propelled by left-handed opener Primosh Perera’s ton as they managed to score 234 for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 48 overs. Primosh played the anchor role as he scored 105 runs. Experienced all-rounder Charitha Buddhika contributed with a valuable 37 runs. Leg spinner Malinga Bandara and off-spinner TM Dilshan shared 5 wickets amongst them for MAS Unichela.
Chasing 235 runs to win their 3rd successive win of the tournament, MAS Unichela was off to a blistering start as the dashing opening pair of Kusal Janith Perera and TM Dilshan scored 186 runs for the first wicket in 24.1 overs. TM Dilshan fell 18 runs short of a well-deserved century while Kusal Janith Perera went onto make a 94-ball 131 with 10 fours and 8 sixes. MAS Unichela reached their target with 7 wickets in hand and 17.2 overs remaining.
Chief Scorers:
Sampath Bank – 234/9 in 48 overs: Primosh Perera 105, Charitha Buddhika 37, Malinga Bandara 3/34, TM Dilshan 2/49.
MAS Unichela – 235/3 in 30.4 overs: Kusal Janith 131, TM Dilshan 82.
In the other match played on Wednesday, Seylan Bank registered a thrilling one-run win over Hatton National Bank in a low scoring MCA Premier League encounter played at NCC grounds.
HNB skipper Hashan Goonathilake won the toss and elected field first. HNB’s left-arm spin twins of Crishantha Peiris and Ranil Dhammika rattled the Seylan batting order as they were bundled out for a mere 127 runs in 36.3 overs. Crishantha bagged 3 wickets while Ranil and left-arm seamer Vimukthi Perera took 2 wickets each. Tharanga Paranavitharana and Chanaka Wijesinghe chipped in with 29 and 26 respectively for Seylan Bank.
Chasing a modest target of 128, HNB innings had no momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals and finally were finally bowled out for 126 runs in the 40th over. Damitha Hunukumbura played a lone-fighting knock of 34 while seasoned campaigner, Nuwan Kulasekara impressed with the ball for Seylan Bank taking 3 crucial wickets.
Chief Scorers:
Seylan Bank – 127 all out in 36.3 overs: Tharanga Paranavithana 29, Chanaka Wijesingha 26, Crishantha Peries 3/37, Ranil Dhammika 2/24, Vimukthi Perera 2/25.
Hatton National Bank – 126 all out in 40 overs: Damitha Hunukumbura 34, Nuwan Kulasekara 3/20, Kaushalya Gajasinghe 3/31.
