Sri Lanka Telecom, HNB Finance in MCA ‘C’ Division 50-over finals

Sri Lanka Telecom and HNB Finance advanced to the final of the first MCA ‘C’ Division 50-over league tournament, sponsored by National Development Bank, for the NDB Trophy, which will be played on 7 March at the MCA grounds from 10.00 a.m.

The semifinals were worked off on 29 February. In the first semifinal, Sri Lanka Telecom halted a rampaging People’s Leasing (PLC) team with a comprehensive 127-run win. PLC came into the game confident after having beaten a fancied Commercial Credit in the quarterfinals. 

It was the bowlers who dominated proceedings. Batting first, SLT was restricted to 178 for 9 in 50 overs, with PLC bowlers Ruchira Jayasekara (5-1-5-3) and Dineth Kaushalya (10-40-2) leading the attack. SLT’s bowlers continued to torment the batsmen, with Lasith Kumara (4-1-4-4), Keshan Wijeratne (6-22-3) and Damitha Silva (6.2-13-2) bamboozling PLC and skittling them out for a mere 51 runs off 19.2 overs. 

In the second semifinal, HNB Finance, riding on Pathum Mendis’ blitz (140 runs off 113 balls, inclusive of 18 fours, and 9.5-2-35-3), posted a fine 56-run win over Commercial Bank.

Sent into bat, HNB Finance put up a challenging 273 for 5 in 50 overs built on two partnerships that involved Pathum Mendis. His first collaboration was a 92-run stand off 123 balls for the third wicket with Muditha Fernando (51 in 105 balls with 5 fours) while his second partnership was a 122-run stand off 89 balls for the fourth wicket with Vindaka Chandrasiri (45).

Mendis continued to be a thorn in the flesh, as Commercial Bank was all out for 214 with a ball to spare. Mendis was well supported by Gihan Anjana (3 for 50) and Umeshka Morias (2 for 25). 

Chief scores

At MCA: Sri Lanka Telecom beat People’s Leasing by 127 runs. 

SLT – 178/9 (50) (Nimesh Mendis 49, Keshan Wijeratne 30, Lahiru Ranatunga 30, Deshaja Ukthi 21, R. Jayasekera 3/05, D. Kaushalya 2/40)

PLC – 51 (19.2) (Lasith Kumara 4/04, Keshan Wijeratne 3/22, Damith Silva 2/13)

At Dombagoda: HNB Finance beat Commercial Bank by 56 runs.

HNB Finance – 273/5 (50) (Pathum Mendis 140, Muditha Fernando 51, Vindaka Chandrasiri 45) 

Commercial Bank – 214 (49.5) (S. Gunawardena 54, C. Wanniarachchi 25, S. Kaushalya 21, R. Ekanayake 20, Pathum Mendis 3/35, Gihan Anjana 3/56, Umeshka Morias 2/25)