Lankem beats UB Finance in MCA “E” Division 30 Over League Tournament

Lankem Ceylon survived a stormy last over as they held on to a stunning one-run win over UB Finance, in the 14th David Pieris Group of Companies-sponsored “DPGC” Challenge Trophy MCA “E” Division 30 Over League Tournament 2016, bottom half semifinal, at Army Grounds, Mattegoda, last Saturday.

Lankem, who won the toss and batted, put up a moderate 206/9 in 30 overs mainly due to the second wicket partnership of 120 runs between Rukshan Weerasinghe (68 in 71 balls, inclusive of two sixes and eight fours) and Lisula Weerasekera (67 in 30 balls inclusive of four sixes and seven fours).

As the two Ws left the scene, the UBF bowlers Nipuna Gamage (6-42-4) and Arosha Perera (3 -30-5) took control of the game as they shattered the Lankem’s projected total of 270 runs. 

UBF Chasing a target score of 207 runs in 30 overs (RPO 6.9) kept the momentum going via Pathum Madusanka (62 in 49 balls, inclusive of two sixes and six fours) and Nithum Jayawickrama (65 not out in 26 balls, inclusive of seven sixes and three fours).

The moment of truth for UBF arrived with the board reading 187/7 in 29 overs, needing 24 runs to win in the last over with Nithum Jayawickrama on 46 on strike and the last over bowled by Dhanushka Artigalla. 

Jayawickrama exploded, hitting Artigalla for two sixes in the first two deliveries; Artigalla held his nerve as his third and fourth deliveries were dot balls; Jayawickrama once again exploded as he swung the fifth delivery for a six, leaving six runs to get in the last ball.

Jayawickrama swung again, but to his utter disappointment , the ball fell short of the boundary as a four - 205/7 in 30 overs. 

The bowlers who contained the rampaging batsmen were Dinesh Chandimal (6-23-2) and Chameera Dissanayake (6-40-3) 

Lankem Ceylon – 206/9 in 30 overs (Rukshan Weerasinghe 68, Lisula Weerasekera 67, R. Fernando 22, P. Kumarasinghe 21, Nipuna Gamage 4/42, Arosha Perera 5/30).

UB Finance – 205 for 7 in 30 overs ( Pathum Madusanka 62, Nithum Jayawickrama 65 not out, Nipuna Gamage 30, Dinesh Chandimal 2/23, Chameera Dissanayake 3/40).