Dilshan hits century to hoist MAS Intimates Unichela to victory

In the wake of his retirement from international cricket, T.M. Dilshan helped his firm MAS Intimates Unichela to victory as he took HNB to the cleaners, hitting a belligerent 144 in 132 balls, inclusive of two sixes and 20 fours, at the ongoing 24th Singer –MCA Premier League 2017, which started last Saturday.

HNB, who won the toss and put Unichela in, allowed their opponents to notch up a score of 388 for 9 in 50 overs, with Dilshan leading the way, followed by Dhanushka Gunatillake (81 in 75 balls, inclusive of four sixes and eight fours) and Kusal Janith Perera (64 in 38 balls, inclusive of two sixes and eight fours) hammering the bankers to all parts of the ground.

HNB meekly surrendered for a total of 222 for 9 in 50 overs, handing Unichela a 156-run win.

MCA’s Premier League 2014  ‘Emerging Player’ , Chathuranga de Silva, the winner of the MCA Scholarship to  the Darren Lehmann Coaching Academy in South Australia, came up with a notable all round performance  (9.4-1-27-4  and 38 runs) and helped Commercial Credit & Finance Plc to gain a four-wicket win over the John Keells Group. 

In the tournament opener, DIMO, the newcomer to the big league, created a huge upset when they beat the defending league winners, MAS Active Trading, by six wickets.

On the same day, the other debutant, Textured Jersey, despite a swashbuckling century from Milinda Siriwardena (130 in 109 balls inclusive of 6 sixes and 8 fours) went down fighting to Sampath Bank by four wickets. The tournament will continue on 14 September (four matches) and 17 and 18 September (four matches).     

Chief scores (four matches)

At Katunayake: DIMO beat MAS Active Trading by six wickets

MAS Active – 116 all out in 27.1 overs  (A. Solomons 29, Jehan Mubarak 21, Thakshila de Silva 3/23, Pulina Tharanga 3/5, Jason Perera 2/20) 

DIMO – 118 for 4 in 30.4 overs (Hashan Dumindu 52 not out, Ramesh Mendis 26 not out,  Sachithra Senanayake 2/29)          

At Surrey Village: Sampath Bank beat Textured Jersey by four wickets

Textured Jersey - 252 all out in 49.1 overs (Milinda Siriwardena 130, C. Asalanka 40, N. Kariyawasam 26, Jeevan Mendis 4/24, Nuwan Perera 2/52, Kasun Rajith 2/70)

Sampath Bank – 253 for 6 in 44.2 overs  (Romesh Buddhika 90 not out, Sameen Kandanarachchi 48, Dasun Shanaka 33,  Jeevan Mendis 26, D. Wickramanayake  25,  Chalana de Silva 2/48)    

At P. Sara Oval:  MAS Intimates Unichela beat HNB by 156 runs 

Unichela – 388 for 9 in 50 overs (T.M. Dilshan 144, Dhanushka Gunatillake 81, Kusal Janith Perera  64, Chathura Peiris  27, Mahela Udawatte  23,  Vimukthi Perera 2/59, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/52,  H. Madushan 2/57)

HNB – 222 for 9 in 50 overs (Minhaj Jaleel 55,H. Gunatillake 42,  H. Madushan 35, S. Jayawardena 27,Asith Fernando 2/35, Chathura Peiris 2/38,Dilruwan Perera 2/30)    

At Moratuwa Stadium:  Commercial Credit beat John Keells Group by four wickets 

JK – 166 all out in 44.4 overs (Roshane Silva 52, Dimuth Karunaratne 35, M. Liyanapathiranage 27, Chathuranga de Silva 4/27, Wanidu Hasaranga 2/50, Suraj Randeeve  2/23) 

Commercial Credit – 168/6 in 27 overs (Ashan Priyanjan 70, Chathuranga de Silva 38, Upul Tharanga 27, Vikum Bandara 2/40)