Kankahewa helps Docs beat Architects
View(s):A fine allround performance by Charuka Kankahewa, skipper of the Sri Lanka Doctors team helped his team to register a 92 run victory over Sri Lanka Architects team in the inaugural Doctors-Architects limited over cricket encounter played at the BRC Grounds recently.
Sri Lanka Doctors’ and Sri Lanka Anrchitects’ cricket teams
Organised by the Sports Committee of Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and sponsored by True Value Products (Pvt) Ltd the main motive of staging this event was to strengthen the inter-relationship between the Architects and other professionals through cricket.
Taking first lease of the wicket the Doctors were in a bad situation with six of their front line batsmen made their way to the darkness of the pavilion when the Architects bowlers Samantha Hewage, Lahiru Pitawalage and Damith Perera making them feel uncomfortable with on the spot bowling backed by an agile set of fielders who grabbed every chance that came their way. Thilina Samarasinghe kept his end going to score a patient 34.
Doctors skipper Kankahewa (35) joined Saman Punchihewa (29) and started the rescue operation with success to put on 77 runs for the seventh wicket which helped the Doctors to post a respectable total of 202. The three bowlers who troubled the Docs early in the inning finished up with claiming 3 for 18, 2 for 44 and 1 for 19 respectively.
In their turn chasing a victory target of 202 the Architects planned well and laid a strong foundation for the first wicket when openers Manoj Champika (31) and Suresh Edirisooriya (20) gave them a solid start and were setting pretty with the scoreboard reading 77 for 2 in just seven overs. Skipper Kankahewa joining the attack ripped through the Architects batting line-up picking up three wickets for 14 runs was well supported by Rajiv Nirmalasingham (2/33) and Thilina Damsiri (3/14) to bundle out the Architects to 110 in 25.2 overs giving the Doctors a well deserved victory.
Former Thomian and Sri Lanka cricketer Eminent Architect Mano Ponniah and ace Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Guest-of-Honour to distribute the main awards to Charuka Kankahewa (Man-of-the-Match); Samantha Hewage (Best Bowler) and Thilina Samarasinghe (Best Batsman).
Sri Lanka Institute of Architects cricket team will be leaving for Pakistan at the end of the month to play three T20 and a 50 over match against the Pakistan Architects cricket team.
Sri Lanka Doctors 202 (38.5) (Thilina Samarasinghe 34, Charuka Kankahewa 35, Saman Punchihewa 29, Diluk Senadeera 21, Samantha Hewage 3/18, Lahiru Pitawalage 2/44, Samith Perera 1/19)
Sri Lanka Architects 110 (25.2) (Manoj Champika 31, Suresh Edirisooriya 20, Damith Perera 13, Rajiv Nirmalasingham 2/33, Charuka Kankahewa 3/18, Thilina Damsiri 3/14)