The AIA Premier T20 Tournament 2015/16 group stage games came to an end on Thursday with another gripping set of matches being played in Colombo.
SSC qualified to the semi-finals on Wednesday as they have topped group B with five wins out of six games. Arch-rivals, NCC knocked out Bloomfield to secure the second spot with better net run-rate. Both teams ended with four wins and two losses.
The biggest surprise came on Thursday when Sri Lanka Army clinched a close one-wicket win over Tamil Union to book their place in the semi-finals ahead of Colts CC. Eventually, Tamil Union secured the top spot from Group A due to better net run-rate.
Semi-Final Schedule
1st semi-final – Tamil Union vs NCC on 23rd January at R. Premadasa Stadium. (10.00am)
2nd semi-final – SSC vs SL Army on 23rd January at R. Premadasa Stadium. (02.00pm)
After the group stage, unsurprisingly Dasun Shanaka of SSC tops the batting charts with 338 runs from 6 games with 2 centuries to his name while Dhananjaya De Silva (Tamil Union) and Shalika Karunanayake (SL Army) follows the list with 263 and 220 runs respectively.
In the bowling charts, two fast-bowlers from CCC – Thilina Thushara and Andy Solomons have captured the most number of wickets, 13 and 11 respectively while SSC seamer Kasun Madushanka occupies the third spot with 10 scalps from 5 games.
Tamil Union vs SL Army
No.9 batsman Janith Chathuranga smashed a cracking 28-ball 49 as SL Army beat Tamil Union by one wicket at NCC grounds.
Pulina Tharanga’s quick-fire 59 helped Tamil Union post a formidable 165 on the board. Ajantha Mendis scalped 4 wickets for the Soldiers. Shalika Karunayake and Janith Chathuranga helped the Soldiers with excellent knocks even though Shaminda Eranga picked up 4 wickets for the losing team.
Tamil Union – 165/7 in 20 overs: TM Dilshan 20, Jeewan Mendis 30, Pulina Tharanga 59*, Ajantha Mendis 4/22.
SL Army – 166/9 in 19.2 overs: Shalika Karunanayake 51, Sulan Jayawardene 25, Janith Chathuranga 49, Shaminda Eranga 4/31.
Colts vs CCC
CCC fell short by 3 runs in a massive chase against Colts at NCC grounds.
Hashan Dumindu (60 off 32 balls), Shehan Jayasuriya (52 off 28 balls) and Ishan Jayarathne (45 off 15 balls) shined for the winners while Kusal Mendis (63 off 27 balls), Roshan Anurudhha (67 off 32 balls) and Thilina Thushara (48 off 23 balls with 7 sixes) starred with the bat for the team from Maitland Crescent.
Colts – 226/5 in 20 overs: Hashan Dumindu 60, Shehan Jayasuriya 52, Ishan Jayarathne 45*, Angelo Jayasinghe 29*, Andy Solomons 2/38, Thilina Thushara 2/36.
CCC – 223/6 in 20 overs: Kusal Mendis 63, Roshan Anuruddha 67*, Thilina Thushara 48, Prabhath Jayasuriya 2/32.
Saracens vs Galle
Saracens managed to defend 139 and secure a 19-run win over Galle CC at P. Sara Oval grounds.
Saracens – 139/6 in 20 overs: Suresh Niroshan 20, Sangeeth Cooray 33, Chanaka Ruwansiri 47*, TN Sampath 2/26.
Galle – 120/7 in 20 overs: Malith Mahela 37, Navindu Nirmal 23*, Akila Ishanka 3/12, Mohommad Aslam 2/30.
Ragama vs NCC
The strong NCC team recorded a convincing 4-wicket win over Ragama CC at Colts grounds.
Ragama – 116/9 in 20 overs: Heshan Wanniarachchi 58, Sachintha Peiris 3/15, Chamikara Edirisinghe 2/7, Isuru Udana 2/32.
NCC – 118/6 in 10.3 overs: Sandun Weerakkody 43, Dinesh Chandimal 27, Thissa Bandara 4/30.
Bloomfield vs Moors
Left-arm spinner Shanuka Dulaj’s 5 for 22 ensured Moors thrash Bloomfield by 9 wickets at P. Sara oval grounds.
Bloomfield – 101 all out in 18.1 overs: Dilshan Munaweera 20, Shanuka Dulaj 5/22, Kaushalya Gajasinghe 2/15.
Moors – 104/1 in 14.1 overs: Mahela Udawatte 54*, Oshadha Fernando 46.
SL Ports vs Chilaw Marians
Chilaw Marians coasted to a 4-wicket win over SL Ports Authority at Colts grounds.
SL Ports Authority – 151/8 in 20 overs: Harsha Rajapakse 32, Yohan De Silva 48*, Akalanka Ganegama 2/16.
Chilaw Marians – 152/6 in 18 overs: Saliya Saman 20*, Ashen Silva 52, Ashan Priyanjan 3/26, Chaminda Bandara 2/34.
