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
- MAS Unichela
- John Keells Holdings
- Commercial Credit
- Sampath Bank
- Dimo
- Textured Jersey
- Hatton National Bank
- 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