HNB Finance emerge champions at MCA ‘D’ Division 40-Over League Tournament

Tuesday, 4 February 2025 02:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

HNB Finance, led by old Sebastianite Umeshka Morias, bagged their maiden MCA Cricket title when they beat Teejay Lanka by three wickets in the fifth Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.-sponsored “CBL-Munchee Trophy” – MCA “D” Division 40-Over League Tournament 2025 final, concluded on Sunday, 2 February, at the MCA Ground.

Teejay Lanka, who won the toss and chose to bat, finished with a moderate 179 runs in 39.2 overs thanks to their opening batsman Janeth Wijesuriya, who held their batting with a responsible 90 runs in 91 balls (5 sixes, 9 fours).

Uneth Peiris (8-31-2), Umeshka Morias (8-43-2), Suleka Ranasinghe (8-29-2), and Sithuka Gunawardena (2.2 – 14-2) shared the wickets.

Chasing a victory target of 180 runs in 40 overs, HNB Finance got off to a disastrous start, losing their first three wickets (at 9, 10, and 14) for a mere 14 runs in 3.5 overs.

Madawa Nimesh (41 off 45 balls, 1 six, 5 fours) and Pathum Mendis (31 off 45 balls, 1 six, 3 fours) steadied the HNB Finance innings with a vital 71-run stand in 80 balls for the fourth wicket.

Teejay Lanka got back in the game when Sasiri Adikari got rid of Madawa Nimesh and Pathum Mendis at 85 and 92, respectively; the board reading 92/5 in 19.3 overs.

HNB Finance got back on track with a 45-run stand in 47 balls for the sixth wicket between Nipun Lakshan (17) and Suleka Ranasinghe (27).

The match once again swung in favour of Teejay Lanka when Janeth Wijesuriya got rid of Nipun Lakshan and Suleka Ranasinghe; the board now reading 138/7 in 28 overs.

With HNB Finance needing 42 runs in 12 overs, skipper Umeshka Morias (26* off 34 balls, 1 six, 2 fours) and Kalana Thilanka (18* off 21 balls, 3 fours) bravely held on with an unbroken 45-run stand in 53 balls for the eighth wicket to steer HNB Finance to a memorable 3-wicket win (183/7 in 36.5 overs).

MCA-appointed Match Referee Susilough de S. Wijeratne picked HNB Finance Captain Umeshka Morias as his Man of the Match. The other three special awards, based on performances up to the semi-finals, went to Waruna Mayantha from Power Hands Plantation (Best Bowler with a haul of 16 wickets), Shanaka Kasun from Colombo Dockyard (Best Batsman with 272 runs in 5 innings), and Nimesh Fernando from Central Finance (Man of the Series with 152 runs and 16 wickets).

Awards were given away by Chief Guest Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. Modern Trade Head Ranga Wijesooriya, Senior Brand Manager Jayashanka Perera, and MCA officials President Mahesh de Alwis, General Secretary Rohan Somawansa, and Tournament Committee Secretary K.D.S. Kanishka.

Chief scores:

Teejay Lanka 179 (39.2) (Janeth Wijesuriya 90, Uneth Peiris 2/31, Umeshka Morias 2/43, Suleka Ranasinghe 2/29, Sithuka Gunawardena 2/14)

HNB Finance 183-7 (36.5) (Madawa Nimesh 41, Pathum Mendis 31, Suleka Ranasinghe 27, Umeshka Morias 26*, Sachith Wickramasinghe 2/21, Sasiri Adikari 2/28)

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