HNB Finance led by old Sebastianite Umeshka Mories, bagged their maiden MCA Cricket title, when they beat Teejay Lanka by 3 wickets in the 5th Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., sponsored, “CBL-Munchee” Trophy – MCA “D” Division 40-Over League Tournament 2025 Final, concluded on Sunday (02nd February) at the MCA Grounds.
Having won the toss, Teejay Lanka posted 179 runs in 39.2 overs, thanks to their opening batter Janeth Wijesuriya who held their batting with a responsible 90 runs in 91 balls, inclusive of 05 sixes & 09 fours.
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Uneth Peiris, Umeshka Morias, Suleka Ranasinghe and Sithuka Gunawardena picked up 2 wickets each for HNB Finance.
Chasing a target of 180 runs to win in 40 overs, HNB Finance got off to a disastrous start, losing their first 03 wickets for a mere 14 runs in 3.5 overs.
Madawa Nimesh (41 runs in 45 balls, inclusive of a six & 05 fours) & Pathum Mendis (31 runs in 45 balls, inclusive of a six and 03 fours) steadied the HNB Finance innings with a vital 71 runs stand in 80 balls for the 04th wicket.
Teejay Lanka got back to the game when Sasiri Adikari got rid of Madawa Nimesh & Pathum Mendis, at 85 & 92, the board reading 92 for 5 in 19.3 overs.
HNB Finance resurrected their innings as Nipun Lakshan (17) & Suleka Ranasinghe (27) built a 45-run stand for the 7th wicket.
The match once again swung towards Teejay Lanka, when Janeth Wijesuriya got rid of Nipun Lakshan & Suleka Ranasinghe with score read at 138 for 7 in 28 overs.
With HNB Finance needing 42 runs in 12 overs, skipper, Umeshka Morias (26 not out in 34 balls, inclusive of a six & 02 fours) & Kalana Thilanka (18 not out in 21 balls, inclusive of 03 fours), bravely held on with an unbroken 45-run stand in 53 balls for 8th wicket to steer HNB Finance to a memorable 3-wicket win.
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The skipper of HNB Finance Umeshka Morias won the Man of the Match award. Meanwhile, Waruna Mayantha from Powerhand Plantations won the Best Bowler award with a haul of 16 wickets while Shanaka Kasun from Colombo Dockyard won the Best Batter award after amassing 272 runs in 5 innings. Nimesh Fernando from Central Finance won the Man of the Series Award with 152 runs & 16 wickets.
Awards were given away by the Chief Guest, Head of Morden Trade, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., Ranga Wijesooiya; Senior Brand Manager, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd., Jayashanka Perera; & the MCA officials, Mahesh de Alwis President, Rohan Somawansa, General Secretary & KDS Kanishka, Secretary Tournament Committee.
Brief Scores
Teejay Lanka – 179 (39.2) Janeth Wijesuriya 90, Sithuka Gunawardena 2/14, Suleka Ranasinghe 2/29, Uneth Peiris 2/31, Umeshka Morias 2/43
HNB Finance – 183/7 (36.5) Madawa Nimesh 41, Pathum Mendis 31, Suleka Ranasinghe 27, Umeshka Morias 26*, Sachith Wickramasinghe 2/21, Sasiri Adikari 2/28
Result – HNB Finance won by 3 wickets