Northern Warriors crowned Champions of the Army Commanders League 2021

Army Commanders League 2021

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The Northern Warriors emerged champions of the 2nd Army Commanders League, beating the Western Warriors by 64 runs, in the illustrious finals held at Dombagoda today, 6th August 2021.

The four-team tournament saw several national stars in the likes of Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Seekkuge Prasanna, Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasada, Angelo Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dilshan Munaweera, Chathuranga de Silva, Sandun Weerakkody, Lahiru Madushanka, Milinda Siriwardena and Ashan Priyanjan.

Each team played 2 games against every opponent in the league stage, and the league toppers played the finals. The Northern Warriors won 5 out of their 6 games in the league and won the championship in style. Seekkuge Prasanna was the Skipper of the champion side, and Thisara Perera led the runners-up. Dinesh Chandimal was the Captain of the Southern team, while Asela Gunaratne was tasked to lead the Eastern team.

In the finals, the Western Warriors won the toss and opted to field first. Their bowlers did a tremendous job as the Northerners were struggling at 5 for 5 at a point. Valiant fight back at the bottom of the line-up from Shehan Fernando and Pathum Kumara elevated the Northern team to safety. Fernando struck an unbeaten 39 off 34 deliveries, while Kumara 35 off 32 balls. Thanks to this pair, the Northern team managed to post 142 runs at the end of their 20 overs.

Read More: Southern Warriors win inaugural Army Commanders League

For the Westerners, Nuwan Pradeep bowled a brilliant spell picking up 3 wickets for 38 runs.

The Thisara Perera-led Western team messed up a chase which looked simple, as wickets kept tumbling one after the other. Left-arm spinner Gayan Chandraboos was the major wrecker from the Northern team, while the stars of the team, Ashan Priyanjan and Seekkuge Prasanna, kicked into action with 3 wickets and 2 wickets respectively.

The Western Warriors team was wrapped for just 78 runs, earning a massive win for the Northern Warriors team.

Former Sri Lankan Captain Upul Tharanga was the highest scorer of the tournament with 268 runs including a century and a fifty to his name. He was adjudged the best batsman, while winning Captain Seekkuge Prasanna walked back with the Best Bowler and the Man of the Series awards.

The presentation ceremony was graced by high-ranked officers of the Sri Lanka Army including the Army commander in Chief General Shavendra Silva himself. Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mr. Mohan de Silva was also present at the occasion. The SLC presented a sum of Rs. 25 Lakhs to the Army Cricket Committee at the ceremony.