Prasad and Channa guide David Peiris to 7 wkts win over Hilton Residencies
Dependable opening batsman Prasad Niroshan and reliable right-arm medium pace bowler, Nalinda Channa hogged the weekend’s limelight, as they guided David Pieris Motor Co. to a resounding 7-wicket win over Hilton Colombo Residencies in the ongoing 12th ‘Elephant House Lemonade Trophy,’ MCA Division ‘D’ 40-over League Tournament.
The hoteliers batting first, were restricted to 128 in 30.1 overs by Channa’s brilliant spell of 8-2-16-5 and Niroshan missed his ton for the second weekend running, scoring a belligerent 94 not out in just 44 balls, inclusive of six sixes and 12 fours, as DPMC broke little sweat racing to 129 for 3 in just 14.5 overs.
A valliant seventh wicket stand of 66 runs between Y. Nanayakkara (35) and A. Tilakawardena (30) gave Nations Trust Bank ‘B’ a heart stopping 1-wicket win in the last ball over Polytex Garments.
Versatile allrounder, Dhanushka Eddussuriya continued his excellent form in the tournament by scoring a valuable half century (58 runs in 57 balls inclusive of 2 sixes and 8 fours), as it guided NDB Bank to a narrow 9-run win over Bodyline. The tournament will now continue with the elimination quarter-finals from this weekend. Initially 23 teams participated in four groups. At the completion of the league stage, after 55 matches, the first two teams of each group advanced to the elimination round.
The eight quarter-finalists are: McLarens Group and Nations Trust Bank ‘B’ from Group ‘A’; David Pieris Motor Company and Hilton Colombo Residencies from Group ‘B’; Kanrich Finance ‘B’ and AIA Insurance from Group ‘C’ and HSBC ‘A’ and Expolanka Group from Group ‘D’.