Teejay Lanka MCA Premier League 50 Over champs

In a high scoring game, where an avalanche of 597 runs were scored in 574 balls inclusive of two centurions, Teejay Lanka PLC emerged winners over Singer Sri Lanka PLC “A” by 59 runs in the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) Premier League 50 Over League Tournament 2024 final, which concluded on Saturday, 3 August at the MCA Grounds. 

Teejay Lanka, sent in to bat, amassed 328-8 in 50 overs, propelled by a hurricane 136-run sixth wicket partnership in 103 balls between Ayana Siriwardena (128 off 93 balls, 10 sixes, 6 fours) and Sakuna Liyanage (35 off 48 balls, 2 fours).

Singer Sri Lanka “A”, who was in a precarious position losing five wickets for a mere 48 runs in 12.4 overs, were rescued from total embarrassment by Rashmika Madushanka (130 off 90 balls, 10 sixes, 7 fours) and Sandun Fernando (59 off 88 balls, 1 six, 2 fours) with a gusty 186-run stand for the sixth wicket in 159 balls. 

After Thilanga Udeshana (9.4 overs , 49 runs, 5 wickets) got the vital wickets of the centurion Rashmika Madushanka and Sandun Fernando at tandem, all hope faded away as Singer fell short by 59 runs (269 all out in 45.4 overs). 

MCA-appointed match referee Basil Perera picked Ayana Siriwardena as the ‘Man of the Final’. The other three special awards, based on performances up to the semi-finals, went to Devindu Kekirideniya from DFCC Bank (Best Bowler), Ayana Siriwardena from Teejay Lanka (Best Batsman), and batsman/wicket-keeper Rashmika Madushanka from Singer Sri Lanka “A” (Man of the Tournament). 

Awards were given away by MCA officials General Secretary Rohan Somawansa, Tournament Committee Chairman Lakmal de Silva, and President Mahesh de Alwis.

Chief scores: 

Teejay Lanka 328-8 (50) (Janisha Perera 19, Sithara Gimhan 37, Ayana Siriwardena 128, Sakuna Liyanage 35, Shiran Fernando 37*, Inuka Karannagoda 24*, Danuja Induruwa 4/64, Sandeep Samod 2/56) 

Singer Sri Lanka “A” 269 (45.4) (Kaushitha Kodituwakku 19, Hiruna Gallage 13, Rashmika Madushanka 130, Sandun Fernando 59, Sandeep Samod 17, Inuka Karannagoda 2/55, Thilanga Udeshana 5/49)