Veteran fast-bowler Lasith Malinga starred for MAS Active as they won the 23rd Singer- MCA Premier League though the much-anticipated league decider between MAS Active and MAS Unichela ended without a result at MCA grounds on Saturday.
Both teams ended the tournament with equal number of wins but due to the superior net run-rate, MAS Active ousted last year’s champions, MAS Unichela to claim the title.
Malinga has been amongst the wickets throughout the competition for MAS Active as he ended as their highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets.
The World T20 winning Sri Lanka captain bowled a superb spell of fast-bowling on Saturday to capture 6 wickets for 36 in his quota of 8.1 overs.
Unichela won the toss and elected to bat first in this 42-over encounter. Chamara Silva was the top run-getter with a classic 75 while Lassana Perera chipped in with 35. MAS Unichela were bowled out for 165 in the 38th over.
MAS Active in reply were 78 for 3 in 15.2 overs when rain brought a pre-mature end to the game. Dilshan Munaweera and Sachithra Serasinghe made 24 and 23 respectively.
MAS Unichela – 165 all out in 37.1 overs: Chamara Silva 75, Lassana Perera 35, Lasith Malinga 6/36.
MAS Active – 78/3 in 15.2 overs: Dilshan Munaweera 24, Sachithra Serasinghe 23, Angelo Perera 22*.
In another ‘A’ division match, left-handed Bhanuka Rajapakse guided John Keells Holdings to a stunning 2-wicket win over Seylan Bank at Surrey Village grounds in Maggona.
After being asked to bat first, Seylan Bank managed to score 205 runs all out in 45.4 overs. Right-hander, Hashan Dumindu top-scored with a fluent 60 while Janaka Gunaratne and Bhanuka Rajapakse scalped 2 wickets each.
Chasing 206 runs to win, Bhanuka made a quick-fire century while former Peterite, Lahiru Milantha made an attacking 63 as JKH reached the target with half of their overs left.
Seylan Bank – 205 all out in 45.4 overs: Hashan Dumindu 60, Ron Chandraguptha 36, Janaka Gunarathna 2/34, Bhanuka Rajapaksha 2/38.
John Keells – 206/8 in 25 overs: Bhanuka Rajapaksha 100, Lahiru Milantha 62, Chanaka Wijesinghe 4/62, Gayan Sirisoma 2/02.
The knock-out championship will commence next week with MAS Active itching to make it a double this year.
