Chihan’s ton not enough to surpass Rio SC’s first innings score
A quick-fire 102 off 97 balls with seven boundaries and nine sixes by right handed batsman Chihan Singhawansa could not help Hambantota CC surpass the first innings score set by Rio Sports Club in their Donovan Andree Trophy cricket encounter played at the Rathgama public ground.
The match being played under minimal conditions
On being asked to bat first Rio SC posted a score of 267 runs in their first essay boosted by half tons from Janaka Harshana (50) and Kasun de Silva (52). Geeth Sameera captured three wickets while Abdeen Rishan and Shifran Muthalif captured two wickets each.
Despite Chihan’s ton and Abdeen Rishan’s 49 Hambantota CC were restricted to 246 runs by skipper Mahesh Niroshan and left arm leg spinner Athula Senaratne who captured four wickets each.
Although no play was lost on day one only 55 overs of play was possible on the second day due to intermittent rain and Rio SC were 153/6 in their second essay at close of play. Right arm off spinner Shifran Muthalif was rewarded with a five wicket haul while wicket keeper batsman Nuwan Mendis topped the score card with 44 runs.
Rio SC 267 in 60.2 overs (Gayashan Koralegoda 40, Mahesh Niroshan 33, Janaka Harshana 50, Chameera Nadeeshan 33, Kasun de Silva 52; Abdeen Rishan 2/55, Geeth Sameera 3/54, Shifran Muthalif 2/18) and 154/6 in 32 overs (Nuwan Mendis 44, Dasith Thanura 33, Janaka Harshana 37 not out, Kasun de Silva 22 not out; Shifran Muthalif 5/77)
Hambantota CC 256 in 51.5 overs (Abdeen Rishan 49, Chihan Singhawansa 102, Shifran Muthalif 23, Sanjaya Praneeth 38; Mahesh Niroshan 4/44, Athula Senaratne 4/56)