Kalutara PCC wins SLC Invitational U23 Final

An excellent captain’s knock of 74 off 98 balls (4 fours, 1 six) by Kanika Dayaratna saw Kalutara PCC beat Kandy CC by two wickets in the final and win the SLC Invitational Under23 tournament played at the CCC grounds yesterday.

Invited to bat first Kandy managed just 199-9. They began well with openers Malitha Lakshan and Khanka Wickramasinghe (31) posting 56, but lost their way in the middle overs slumping to 92-5 before Imesh Kumara (36) teamed up with his skipper Kavishka Medagedera to put on a partnership 71 for the sixth wicket that saw them to their final total. Medagedera scored a run-a-ball 50 comprising four fours and two sixes.

Kalutara PCC began their run chase rather shakily losing the first four wickets for 79 in 21 overs, before Dayaratna and Thewin Amarasinghe (29) figured in a recovery stand of 89 for the fifth wicket to put Kalutara PCC back on track. Although Kandy CC fought back, capturing three wickets for four runs to reduce Kalutara PCC to 184-8, there was no denying Kalutara PCC the win as the ninth wicket pair saw them home safely.

Kandy CC and Kalutara PCC qualified for the final as leaders of their group. Kandy CC topped Group A with seven wins from eight matches, and Kalutara PCC finished on top of Group B with a similar record. (ST)

Scores

• Kandy CC 199-9 (50) (Malith Lakshan 21, Khanka Wickramasinghe 31, Imesh Kumara 36, Kavishka Medagedera 50, Vishwa Didulana 2/45, Thadula de Silva 2/36, Kalana Sandeep 2/36)
• Kalutara PCC 202-8 (49.1) (Thenuka Liyanage 28, Kanika Dayaratna 74, Thewin Amarasinghe 29, Dinuka Tennekoon 3/32, Khanka Wickramasinghe 2/46)