Nawaloka beats Maliban Biscuits to win 25-over League MCA “E” Division

Nawaloka Hospitals PLC scored a remarkable 8 run win over tournament favourites, Maliban Biscuits, in the 17th David Pieris Group of Companies-powered DPGC Challenge Trophy – MCA “E” division 25-over League Tournament 2019 Final, concluded on 25 May at the MCA Grounds.

Despite the overcast sky and slow ground conditions after overnight rains, Nawaloka won the toss and batted; repercussions were quick, as they were soon looking down the barrel, reeling at 35 for 5 in the 10th over. 

Nawaloka, severely concussed, managed to recover via a good dose of saline induced by Thivanka Kakulawala (23 in 38 balls, 01 four and 01 six) and Dasun Perera (46 not out in 40 balls 04 sixes and 01 four), who were engaged in a 58-run stand in 58 balls for the sixth wicket, thus ending with a moderate 126 for 9.

Maliban in their victory quest, got off to a solid start, with openers Nethminda Perera (20) and Gihan Anuruddha (30) putting on 36 runs in 38 balls. 

Further they were comfortably placed up to the 16th over with the board reading 84 for 4, needing 43 runs in 52 balls to win. 

Nawaloka skipper Samith Ruberu, who made intelligent bowling changes, always kept the required runs per over (5.08) at a manageable pace, his two spin bowlers, Buddhika Prasad (4.2 / 18/3) and Thivanka Kakulawela (5-12-3) giving their best. 

As three wickets fell in quick succession, that of Malith Silva for 01 run at 89, Mohamed Silmi for 11 at 99 & Chathuranga Devapriya for no score at 100. 

Maliban pushed the panic button rather early and as a result fell desperately short by 8 runs, 118 all out with four balls remaining.

Match Referee Thusitha Karunaratne from Sri Lanka Army picked Nawaloka Hospital’s match winning all-rounder, Thivanka Kakulawela, as his Man of the Match. Incidentally, Thivanka Kakulawela also bagged the tournament’s Best Bowler award, bagging 26 wickets in 09 matches including the Final.

The Best Batsman of the tournament was Nawaloka Hospitals Captain Samith Ruberu (416 runs in 08 innings, excluding the Final).

The man of the series was Maliban’s Mohamed Silmi (07 innings 460 runs, 03 not outs, Avg. 115.0, excluding the Final).

The post-tournament awards presentation was graced by Chief Guest Assetline Leasing Co. Ltd. General Manager (Operations) Ajantha Premasiri, Guest of Honour David Pieris Motor Co. Ltd. Divisional Deputy Manager (Vehicle Sales) Nalaka Kumarasinghe, and MCA Officials President Roshan Iddamalgoda, Vice President Nalin Wickramasinghe, and Tournament Committee Chairman Sujeewa de Silva.

Chief Scores 

Nawaloka Hospitals – 126/ 9 (25) (Tharindu Suraj 17, Thivanka Kekulawela 23, Dasun Perera 46 not out, Tharindu Siriwardena 2/17, Malith Silva 3/15)

Maliban Biscuits – 118 (24.2) (Nethminda Perera 20, Gihan Anurudda 30, S. Nadeesh 2/30, Buddika Prasad 3/18, Thivanka Kekulawela 3/12)