IIT beats University of Westminster in annual cricket encounter

The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) emerged victors against the University of Westminster (UOW) at their first annual cricket encounter which was held at the Colts Cricket Club grounds recently. 

This annual encounter was organised to commemorate the long standing academic partnership between IIT and University of Westminster. The Chief Guest Prof Alex Hughes, Vice Chancellor of University of Westminster and Guest of Honour Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, Chairman Informatics Group graced the occasion.

The IIT team won the toss and selected to field at the 40 over match in which University of Westminster was all out for 190 runs in 39.1 overs. IIT chasing the target secured victory by scoring 193/6 in 34.5 overs. 

Asif Mohamed who was the main spin bowler for IIT took 4/ 29 in a brilliant performance. IIT’s Sachin Milan took 2/38 while Udaya Hettiarachchi, Pasindu Acharige and Krishan Dharmasena took a wicket each which led to the collapse of the UOW batting line up. The main run scorers for UOW was U. Mathews scoring 62 runs and K. Rodrigo scoring 50 runs. 

In an attacking display of batting, Nisala Mendis (42), Pasindu Acharige (39), Nikila Weerasinghe (30) and Sachin Milan (20*) were the IIT batsmen who contributed towards their victory. 

Despite the formidable batting exhibited by IIT, T. Sharma took 2/37 and K. Rodrigo took 2/40 for UOW in their bowling spell. 

The Best Batman Award was bagged by U. Mathews from UOW, while Best Bowler Award was bagged by Asif Mohamed from IIT. Pasindu Acharige from IIT who exhibited an all-round performance was adjudicated as Man of the Match. 

The IIT team consisted of Jagath Perera (C), Nisala Mendis, Krishan Dharmasena, Udaya Hettiarachchi, Sarath Asoka, Vernon Silva, Chinthaka De Silva, Asif Mohamed, Nikila Weerasinghe, Shehan Kahandugoda, Pasindu Acharige, Sachin Milan, Rajeeva Ramanayake and Lakshan Kanishka.

The visiting UOW team comprised of Jon Pike (C), Martin Mathews, John Shelly Smith, Robert Smith, Tushar Sharma, Paras Fatnani, G Gomes, H. Jayasinghe, K Rodrigo, H. Lakruwan and G. Pathirana. Chinthaka De Silva, IIT Sports Consultant said that annual cricket encounter between IIT and UOW will be an event to celebrate the long standing academic partnership between the two higher education establishments. 

“During the past few years IIT has won several prominent local and international tournaments in cricket, basketball and rugby. We will continue to develop in the sporting arena and it is our firm belief that the involvement of students in sports will contribute towards their growth as all-rounder,” Chinthaka De Silva said.