Sadeera, Angelo, Isuru, Charith shine
LB Finance’s batting quartet comprising of Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Perera (who cracked tons), Isuru Udana and Charith Asalanka sent the Sampath Bank bowlers on a leather hunt helping the side to coast to a convincing 155 runs and thus helping their side to begin their campaign of 26th MCA Premier League tournament on a winning note in the match played at the Surrey Village ground in Maggona yesterday.
Angelo’s knock was the best of the four as he slammed an unbeaten quick fire 65 ball knock of 105 that comprised ten boundaries and five sixes. Angelo was involved in two century partnerships first of 122 for the third wicket with Sadeera Samarawickrama who made a 121 in 126 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes and the other an unbroken 124 runs for the fourth wicket with Isuru Udana who slammed an unbeaten 82 in only 30 balls which had three boundaries and ten towering sixes.
Sadeera earlier in the innings associated in a 129 runs stand for the second wicket with Charith Asalanka who chipped in with a half ton enabling them to post the formidable score.
Sampath Bank was never going to be in the run chase. Despite a top score of 65 made by Hasantha Fernando and useful knocks coming from Rumesh Buddika and Tharindu Kaushal the effort was insufficient as they restricted to a score of 220.
In another match played at the FTZ ground in Katunayake saw John Keells Holdings spearheaded by Lahiru Milantha, Bhanuka Rajapakse and Ishan Jayaratne recording a 186 runs win against Kanrich Finance.
Lahiru who made a 90 ball 114 with ten boundaries and seven sixes with his opening partner Manoj Sarathchandra gave the side a flying start putting on 136 runs.
Later Bhanuka who made 82 in 52 balls that comprised eight boundaries and two sixes along with Ishan added 62 runs for the sixth wicket which followed by Ishan and Maduka Liyanapathirana sharing a 75 runs stand for the seventh wicket.
Kanrich Finance in pursuit of a massive target of 403 runs for victory was unable to make any headway as they were able to muster a score of only 216.
Commercial Credit too began their campaign on a winning note when they outclassed debutants MAS Silueta by eight wickets in the match played at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
Results
- At Maggona: LB Finance beat Sampath Bank by 155 runs
LB Finance 375 for 3 in 50 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 121, Charith Asalanka 50, Angelo Perera 105 n.o., Isuru Udana 82 n.o.)
Sampath Bank 220 for 9 in 50 overs (Hasantha Fernando 65, Rumesh Buddika 41, Tharindu Kaushal 39, Kaushal Silva 24: Chathuranga Kumara 3 for 24, Charith Sudaraka 3 for 25, Charith Asalanka 2 for 30)
- At Katunayake: John Keells beat Kanrich by 186 runs
John Keells Holdings 402 for 7 in 50 overs (Lahiru Milantha 114, Bhanuka Rajapakse 71, Ishan Jayaratne 62, Manoj Sarathchandra 46: Sahan Wijeratne 2 for 46)
Kanrich Finance 216 for 6 in 50 overs (Pathum Nissanka 62, Sahan Wijeratne 49, Osanda Fernando 36, Vishwa Deemantha 40 n.o.: Bhanuka Rajapakse 2 for 27, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 2 for 41)
- At Moratuwa: Com. Credit beat MAS Silueta by 8 wickets
MAS Silueta 131 in 31.1 overs (Irosh Samarasooriya 29, Nimnada Subasinghe 28: Asitha Fernando 3 for 26, Suraj Randiv 2 for 12, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 18, Malinda Pushpakumara 2 for 23)
Commercial Credit 134 for 2 in 15.5 overs (Dilshan Munaweera 31, Sandun Weerakkody 80 n.o.)