MAS Unichela crowned 24th Singer-MCA League Champions

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Mercantile Cricket

MAS Unichela was crowned as the champions of the 24th Singer-MCA Premier League 2017 – League Stage today after the final four league stage matches were conducted in Colombo.

Unichela has secured 28 points with 6 wins from 7 games while their closest rival, John Keells Holdings recorded 27 points also winning 6 matches from 7 games. The difference was the 4 bonus points’ recorded by Unichela against the 3 bonus’ points for John Keells. Last year’s champions, MAS Active finished at the bottom of the table losing all their 7 games.

Final League Standings

  1. MAS Unichela
  2. John Keells Holdings
  3. Commercial Credit
  4. Sampath Bank
  5. Dimo
  6. Textured Jersey
  7. Hatton National Bank
  8. MAS Active

MAS Unichela vs Dimo

Mahela Udawatte’s unbeaten 87 ensured MAS Unichela recorded a 4-wicket win over Dimo at P. Sara Oval grounds.

After being sent into bat, Dimo posted a par-score of 229 on the board courtesy a 82-ball 66 from opening batsman Hashan Dumindu. Left-handed Jason Perera made a valuable 44 while Dilruwan Perera was the most impressive bowler for the winners picking up 3 for 48.

Chasing 230 runs to win, MAS Unichela reached the target in 38.2 overs which also earned them a valuable bonus point. Apart of Udawatte’s 95-ball 87 which had 3 sixes and 3 fours, four batsmen, TM Dilshan, Danushka Gunathilaka, Rashmika Opatha and skipper Chamara Silva made vital 20s.

Dimo – 229 all out in 47.1 overs: Hashan Dumindu 66, Jason Perera 44, Lasith Abeyrathne 20, Dilruwan Perera 3/48, Malinga Bandara 2/39, Farveez Maharoof 2/50.

MAS Unichela – 230/6 in 38.2 overs: Mahela Udawatte 87*, TM Dilshan 28, Chamara Silva 28, Danushka Gunathilake 27, Rashmika Opatha 22, Ramesh Mendis 2/37, Nisala Tharaka 2/49.


John Keells vs Sampath Bank

Right-arm seamers, Vikum Bandara and Bhanuka Rajapaksha ripped through the Sampath Bank batting lineup as John Keells cruised to a convincing 5-wicket win at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.

After opting to field first, Bandara and skipper Rajapaksha picked up 3 wickets apiece as Sampath Bank was bowled out for a mere 99. Young Chamik Karunarathne provided only resistance with a fine 30.

Chasing a target of 100 runs to win, John Keells lost 5 wickets in the space of 13.2 overs as seamer Kasun Rajitha took 4 scalps but a vital 40 off Sandun Weerakkody helped them get over the winning line without any hiccups.  

Sampath Bank – 99 all out in 25.4 overs: Chamika Karunarathne 30, Primosh Perera 21, Vikum Bandara 3/32, Bhanuka Rajapaksha 3/30, Upul Indrasiri 2/10.

John Keells – 102/5 in 13.2 overs: Sandun Weerakkody 40, Kasun Rajitha 4/54.


HNB vs MAS Active

In the battle for the wooden spoon, former Thurstanite, Minhaj Jalil slammed a terrific ton and took 3 wickets with the ball as Hatton National Bank stunned MAS Active by 3 wickets at Colts grounds.

Right-handed Jalil clobbered 7 sixes and 10 fours during his 134-ball 122 which enabled HNB’s run-chase of 220. Left-arm spinner and former Royalist, Lasith Embuldeniya was among the wicket-takers picking up 4 for 36 but the winners reached the winning target with 5 overs to spare. Earlier, after being asked to bat first, MAS Active amassed only 219 runs. Sri Lanka cap, Angelo Perera top scored with 87 while off-spinning Jalil picked up 3 for 45.

MAS Active – 219 all out in 48.1 overs: Angelo Perera 87, TM Sampath 29, Kosala Kulasekara 2/44, Minhaj Jalil 3/45, Madawa Warnapura 2/26.

HNB – 221/7 in 45 overs: Minhaj Jalil 122, Sachin Jayawardana 20, Lasith Embuldeniya 4/36, Sachithra Serasinghe 2/48.


Commercial Credit vs Textured Jersey

Lahiru Madushanka and Shehan Jayasuriya starred for Commercial Credit as they wrapped up a convincing 6-wicket victory over Textured Jersey before the lunch break at Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.

Right-arm seamer Madushanka and off-spinner Jayasuriya shared 7 wickets as they bundled out Textured Jersey to 99 runs. Opening batsman Minod Bhanuka was the only batsman to show some fight with a knock of 77. Commercial Credit eased their way towards the target of 100 in 18.1 overs.

Textured Jersey – 99 all out in 29.3 overs: Minod Banuka 47, Lahiru Madushanka 4/18, Shehan Jayasuriya 3/40.

Commercial Credit – 103/4 in 18.1 overs: Shehan Jayasuriya 29, Suraj Randiv 27*, Lahiru Madusanka 24*, Nuwan Pradeep 2/15, Chalana De Silva 2/43