LB Finance, MAS Unichela reach MCA Premier League ‘Knock-out’ final

League winner LB Finance advanced to the final of the 27th Singer-MCA Premier League ‘Knock-out’ Tournament 2020 with a comprehensive nine-wicket win over John Keells in the top half semi-final at the MCA grounds on Wednesday (20 November).

John Keells, sent into bat, seemed to miss the services of their skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa (now overseas) as they were skittle out for a 138 runs in 31.5 overs, including three run-outs.

Bhanuka, after returning from Australia, immediately got into top gear with a fluent 66 vs. Dimo and 50 vs. SLC under-19 team. 

The match commenced on 19 November but got dragged on to the reserve day, as the second session of play was halted by rain, when LB Finance was 33 for 0 in five overs in reply to John Keells’ 138.

LB Finance shed little sweat in reaching their target in 20.5 overs, losing just one wicket; their openers, Captain, Lakshan Rodrigo (59 not out in 44 balls, inclusive of a six and eight fours) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (47 in 66 balls, inclusive of six and four fours) were associated in a 112-run stand in 105 balls.

Chief scores

J. Keells – 138 (31.5): Dimuth Karunaratne 30, Roscoe Thattil 36, Manelker de Silva 18, Sahan Arachchige 2/32, Ranitha Liyanarachchi 2/28

LBF – 141/1 (20.5): Lakshan Rodrigo 59 not out, Sadeera Samarawickrama 47, Kusal Mendis 25 not out

MAS Unichela entered the 27th Singer – MCA Premier League ‘Knock-out’ Tournament 2020 final, with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sampath Bank in the semi-final concluded at the NCC Grounds yesterday.

It was sweet revenge for MAS Unichela as they lost to Sampath Bank by four wickets in their league outing on 7 November at the P. Sara Oval. 

Sampath Bank was bamboozled by Lahiru Madusanka (7/1/18/3) and Dilruwan Perera (7/19/3) – all out for a paltry 108 runs in 32 overs. 

MAS Unichela, taking no chances on the evening’s weather, was home to tea, hammering the winning runs in just 13.2 overs with T.N. Sampath (46 in 32 balls with five sixes and three fours), and Mahela Udawatte (26 not out in 12 balls with three sixes) being severe on Sampath’s bowling attack. 

MAS Unichela will meet LB Finance in the final on tomorrow at the MCA grounds commencing 10.00 am.

Chief scores

Sampath Bank – 108 (32): Jeevan Mendis 27, L. Madusanka 3/18, Dilruwan Perera 3/19

MAS Unichela – 109/3 (13.2): T.N. Sampath 46, M. Udawatte 26 not out, Vishwa Fernando 2/27